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Target functions

Choose the right check for the right device.

Smarty supports multiple target functions so you can monitor simple reachability, full application responses, device-specific command interfaces and SNMP-based network data from one platform. Some targets work best with predefined behavior, while others become much more powerful when you add your own custom command.

TCP RAW Ping Telnet HTTP / REST SNMP Custom commands

Target type overview

Use this as a fast visual cheat sheet when deciding what kind of target to create.

Ping Best when you only need reachability and basic online or offline visibility.
TCP Ideal when a port should accept connections, optionally with a simple command like status.
RAW Use for direct protocol strings and custom socket-based commands.
Telnet Great for text-based device interfaces with readable status replies.
HTTP / REST Best for websites, streams, dashboards and API endpoints with GET, POST, headers and response matching.
SNMP Best for switches, routers, UPS devices and structured device telemetry.

Quick selection flow

If you are not sure which function to use, this simple flow is usually enough to choose the right one.

1

Only need to know if it is online?

Start with Ping.
2

Need a port or service response?

Use TCP, HTTP / REST or SNMP depending on the device type.
3

Need a device-specific command?

Use RAW or Telnet and build a custom command around the real device response.

What each target function is for

The best target type depends on what the monitored device actually supports. Some devices only need a simple connectivity check, while others require a command and a specific reply before you know they are really working.

Basic connectivity

Ping

Use Ping when you only need to know whether a device or host is reachable on the network.

  • Best for simple online or offline checks
  • Works well for printers, switches, access points and controllers
  • Does not prove that the application itself is healthy
Socket connection

TCP

Use TCP when opening a socket connection is enough to confirm that a service is available, or when you want to send a simple custom string such as status and inspect the reply.

  • Good for services listening on a known port
  • Useful when the device does not need a full login flow but can respond to a simple custom command
  • Can be one-time or used with a persistent connection
Command transport

RAW

Use RAW when you want to send a direct custom command over a socket and inspect the reply yourself.

  • Great for proprietary device protocols
  • Lets you build device-specific health checks
  • Usually paired with a custom command and expected response pattern
Interactive CLI

Telnet

Use Telnet for devices that expose a text-based command interface such as streamers, amplifiers or legacy controllers.

  • Ideal for reading status values from older equipment
  • Can send a command and validate the returned text
  • Useful when “connection only” does not tell enough
Web and API checks

HTTP / REST

Use HTTP / REST for websites, stream URLs, HTTP services and API endpoints that need method selection, custom headers or response validation.

  • Checks HTTP or HTTPS availability
  • Supports GET, POST, PUT, PATCH and DELETE style checks
  • Can validate status codes, expected text and short API responses
Network telemetry

SNMP

Use SNMP for switches, routers, UPS systems and other devices that expose status data through OIDs.

  • Useful for uptime, temperature, port state and device info
  • Can monitor individual ports or specific measurements
  • Works especially well for managed network devices

Custom commands and predefined features

Smarty supports both quick predefined checks and fully custom command-based monitoring. In practice, teams often start with predefined target types and then add custom commands for the devices that need a more specific test.

Predefined features

Choose a ready-made target type when the platform already knows enough about the check you want to perform.

  • Fast to configure
  • Best for Ping, HTTP / REST checks, standard TCP reachability and common SNMP reads
  • Ideal for broad rollout across many similar targets

Custom commands

Build your own monitor when a device needs a very specific string, command sequence or expected response.

  • Best for RAW and Telnet targets
  • Useful for proprietary AV, control and automation devices
  • Lets you monitor the exact behavior that matters to your installation

Practical examples

Here are a few easy ways to decide which target type usually fits best.

Need to know if a device is simply online? Use Ping.
Need to know if a service on a port is accepting connections? Use TCP.
Need to send a direct command to a socket-based device? Use RAW with your own custom command.
Need to read status from a text-based device interface? Use Telnet and validate the returned response.
Need to monitor a website, stream or API endpoint? Use HTTP / REST.
Need switch port state, uptime or temperature from a managed device? Use SNMP.

Want to see these functions in practice?

Explore the Smarty platform overview or log in to the dashboard to see how targets, alerts and remote support workflows come together.

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