How can I test output of ping?

dalton

Hi, I am trying to write a simple and fast script that tests the output of ping for no response, an error or success. Can anyone provide me an example? Something like the following but I don't know how to test the output of $status for each of the possible results? Appreciate any ideas - thanks!

$domain = "yahoo.com";

$status = system("/bin/ping -c3 $domain");

if (some test for no response) {
$output = "Down";
} elseif (some test for error) {
$output = "Error";
} else {
$output = "Alive";
}

echo "$output";

nightowl

look for ereg().

dalton

Hi, thanks for the tip. I tried the following but when I ping a live address that returns the string "0% packet loss" in $status the elseif does not catch it. Anyone know what is wrong with my code? Thanks!

<?php
$domain = "yahoo.com";
$status = exec("/bin/ping -c 2 -w 10 -q $domain");
if (ereg("100% packet loss",$status)) {
$out = "Dead";
}
elseif (ereg("0% packet loss",$status)) {
$out = "Alive";
}
elseif (ereg("errors",$status)) {
$out = "Errors";
}
else {
$out = "Unknown";
}
echo "$out";
?>

nightowl

Mind, '%' might have a special meaning in the ereg-function which might cause the problem. You would need to look it up...

dalton

Thanks, I tried escaping the % but that was not the problem. Turns out a command called by system or exec apparently does not hold the output in the variable and thus ereg could not find the text. The solution is to call the commmand within backticks. Thanks again!

Anon

So what does the code look like now. I've been trying to make it work all morning.

Anon

Did you ever get the ping thing to work ?
If so can you share the code ?

Many thanks,
Peter Morrissette

johnkelly

Try ...

$pingresult = (trim(nl2br(/bin/ping -c2 -w5 $domain)));

if (!$pingresult) {
$pingmsg = \"Server not found.\";
} else {
$pingmsg = \"$pingresult\";
}

echo \"$pingmsg\";

johnkelly

BTW, take out the backslashes - forum bug. 🙁