How to check the internet connection using PHP function fsockopen?

<?php
//function to check if the local machine has internet connection
function checkConnection()
{
    //Initiates a socket connection to www.itechroom.com at port 80
    $conn = @fsockopen("www.itechroom.com", 80, $errno, $errstr, 30);
    if ($conn)
    {
        $status = "Connection is OK";
        fclose($conn);
    }
    else
    {
        $status = "NO Connection<br/>\n";
        // $status .= "$errstr ($errno)";
    }
    return $status;
}

echo checkConnection();
?>