function validate_ip($ip, $stored_ip, $strength = 3)
{
	$ip_pcre_test		= preg_match('/([0-9]*){1,3}\.([0-9]*){1,3}\.([0-9]*){1,3}\.([0-9]*){1,3}/', $ip);
	$stored_pcre_test	= preg_match('/([0-9]*){1,3}\.([0-9]*){1,3}\.([0-9]*){1,3}\.([0-9]*){1,3}/', $stored_ip);

	if ( !$ip_pcre_test || !$stored_pcre_test )
	{
		return false;
	}
	
	$ip = explode('.', $ip);
	$stored_ip = explode('.', $stored_ip);
	
	// This switch statement allows for validation levels from
	// one to four octets, usualy you would use about 3 to ensure
	// proper ip-based security.
	switch ($strength)
	{
		case 4:
			if ( $ip[3] <> $stored_ip[3] )
			{
				return false;
			}

		case 3:
			if ( $ip[2] <> $stored_ip[2] )
			{
				return false;
			}

		case 2:
			if ( $ip[1] <> $stored_ip[1] )
			{
				return false;
			}

		case 1:
			if ( $ip[0] <> $stored_ip[0] )
			{
				return false;
			}
	}
	
	return true;
}