How can my shell script test server status?

Since it's apparent that you are at a polytechnic in India (the submission had a ".in" email address suffix) and that you're baffled by what's a fairly rudimentary homework assignment, it would probably be better if I just ignored this question and let you figure it out yourself, but instead I cunningly waited a month or so to get here. That way, it couldn't possibly be helpful to you. :-)

Nonetheless, this really is a straightforward project, so straightforward that I will write up a simple script.

First off, how do you test to see if a server is running? Use the ping command!

For example, let me ping two servers, one I know is running and one I know isn't by virtue of the fact it's an unknown domain:

Really, that should be enough to show you how to proceed, but let's put it in script form:

Now that should be enough, shouldn't it? The only slight tweak: if the shell script is going to be called directly within a browser (which requires some modifications to the Apache server configuration) then it needs the following as the very first two lines of output generated by the script:

Now that should help you quickly gain an "A" in this assignment!