---
title: More check types: UDP, NTP, FTP and SFTP
description: Not everything you run answers on HTTP, and the services that do not tend to be the ones nobody is watching. UDP, NTP time-sync and FTP/SFTP monitors are now…
canonical: https://watchfor.io/changelog/2026-05-11-udp-ntp-ftp-monitoring
---

[All updates](/changelog/page/9#2026-05-11-udp-ntp-ftp-monitoring) ✨ New May 11, 2026 · v 1.3.7

# More check types: UDP, NTP, FTP and SFTP

Not everything you run answers on HTTP, and the services that do not tend to be the ones nobody is watching. UDP, NTP time-sync and FTP/SFTP monitors are now available, with connection timings, directory listing, and write or throughput checks for the file-transfer types.

Clock offset, delay and stratum for each sample.

Log in, list a directory, and the time each step took.

## UDP

Sends a datagram to a host and port and records whether, and how fast, a reply comes back. The payload can be text, or base64 for binary protocols such as a raw DNS query. No Response Received is off by default because many UDP services never answer; turn it on when you expect a reply. Response Match and Response Too Short check what came back.

## NTP

Queries a time server several times per check and reports the clock offset, delay, jitter, stratum and whether the server says it is synchronized. Clock Offset Too High (100 ms) and Server Not Synchronized are on and critical.

## FTP and SFTP

Connect, log in, list a directory and, by default, write and delete a small test file. Upload and download speed checks are optional. The steps that run follow the rules you switch on. SFTP accepts a password or a private key, and FTP supports explicit TLS (FTPS).

## Example

Partners upload invoice files to your SFTP server every night. A key rotation breaks logins at 18:00. Authentication Failed opens a critical incident within minutes, instead of a partner calling the next morning.

Docs: [UDP](/docs/monitors/network#udp), [NTP](/docs/monitors/performance#ntp) and [FTP / SFTP](/docs/monitors/performance#ftp--sftp).

Since then, the write test is off by default, because many accounts are read-only. Turn it on for accounts that may write.

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Canonical page: https://watchfor.io/changelog/2026-05-11-udp-ntp-ftp-monitoring · Site guide: https://watchfor.io/llms.txt