Configuring Alert Triggering and Alert Reactions

Use

You have performed the following processes in the context of Configuring the Monitoring Architecture:

You have therefore created the required connections from the central monitoring system (CEN) to the monitored components; the data required for monitoring is determined and transferred to CEN.

You should next adjust the settings in the Alert Monitor to your requirements. These steps are not vital for the functioning of the monitoring architecture, but are strongly recommended for optimal use. The steps belong to three areas:

Adjusting the threshold values and other properties of the nodes - when should an alert be triggered for a node?
Adjusting the auto-reaction methods - what should happen in the case of an alert (and in particular: who should be informed in the case of an alert)?
Adjusting the display in the Alert Monitor - how should the data be displayed?

Prerequisites

This process is part of Configuring the Monitoring Architecture. To completely configure landscape-wide monitoring, you must also perform the other processes.

Process

Optional: Creating Properties Variants

If you want to set threshold values or other properties of MTEs that are time-dependent, use Monitoring Properties Variants to do this. A properties variant of this kind contains properties and method assignments for MTEs. You can also assign a properties variant to an operation mode. The assigned properties variant is then automatically activated at every change of operation mode.

More Information

Creating a Monitoring Properties Variant

Adjusting the Threshold Values

Call the alert monitor by starting transaction RZ20, and start the desired monitor.
Select a desired node and choose the Properties button.
You can set different properties, depending on whether you have selected a performance attribute, a

log attribute, or a

status attribute. The most important change affects the maintenance of threshold values for performance attributes. To do this, follow the procedure below:
1. Switch to change mode by choosing the button.
2. Specify the desired values in the Threshold Values group box.
3. Save your entries.
  
  Note
  
  By default, your changes apply for all nodes in the same MTE class/attribute group. However, you can also make changes that apply only to the relevant node itself (see
  
  Changing Properties in the Alert Monitoring Tree).

Adjusting the Auto-Reaction Methods

Auto-reaction methods start automatically, if an alert occurs in the corresponding MTE. The most import application of auto-reaction methods are automatic notifications in the case of an alert, for example, using e-mail or SMS.

If you want to work with auto-reactions, you should first decide whether you want to execute the auto-reactions locally or centrally:

Local auto-reaction

This is the default setting of the monitoring architecture: the auto-reaction method is executed in the system in which the alert occurs. In large system landscapes in particular, this means a more configuration and maintenance work is required, since you must adjust the auto-reactions in each system.

Caution

In the case of MTEs of the monitor set SAP J2EE Monitor Templates (with the exception of MTEs of the Availability Monitoring with GRMG), you cannot assign any local auto-reactions.
Central auto-reaction

In the case of a central auto-reaction, the method is not started in the system in which the alert occurs, but rather in the CEN. In this way, it is possible for reactions to events that occur in monitored components to be performed immediately in a central location. We recommend this type of auto-reaction (more information: Setting Up Central Auto-Reaction Methods).

Note

If you are using a central auto-reaction, you cannot determine the method executed using properties variants. To nevertheless allow different settings depending on the time at which the alert occurs, we recommend Forwarding Alerts to Alert Management (ALM).

For automatic notification in the case of alerts, you must first adjust the relevant method to your requirements; when doing so, you can choose between two techniques. Of these, forwarding alerts to Alert Management means a greater configuration effort is required, but also provides more advanced functions:

Forwarding Alerts to Alert Management (ALM)
Defining Automatic Alert Notification

Note

If you want to use central auto-reactions, you must activate the radio button Only in Central System, Triggered by CCMS Agent on the Control tab page in the definition of the method used.

Assigning the Auto-Reaction Methods

You must finally assign the adjusted methods to your desired MTEs:

Assignment to a local auto-reaction
1. Call the alert monitor by starting transaction RZ20, and start the desired monitor.
2. Select a desired node and choose the Properties button.
3. Choose the Methods tab page and then choose the Method Assignment pushbutton.
4. Switch to change mode by choosing the button.
5. Switch to the Auto-Reaction tab page, select the Method Name in the Method Assignment group box, and specify the name of your adjusted auto-reaction method in the corresponding input field.
6. Save your entries.
  
  Note
  
  By default, your changes apply for all nodes in the same MTE class/attribute group. However, you can also make changes that apply only to the relevant node itself (see
  
  Changing Properties in the Alert Monitoring Tree).
Assignment to a central auto-reaction
1. In CEN, start transaction RZ21, and choose Technical Infrastructure Configure Central System Assign Central Auto-Reactions.
2. In the System ID subscreen, select the desired systems, and the desired MTE classes in the MTE Class subscreen, to which you want to assign a central auto-reaction method. You can always select multiple systems and MTE classes.
  
  Note
  
  Different systems usually have different MTE classes. After calling the function, the MTE classes of the local system are displayed first. To include the MTE classes of other systems in the list, select the desired systems and choose MTE Classes of System. The system then displays the MTE classes of the selected system in the list of MTE classes.
3. In the Defined Central Auto-Reactions subscreen, select the desired method that you want to assign to the selected MTE classes of the selected systems.
4. Choose Assign Central Auto-Reaction Method. The system then immediately displays the corresponding assignments in the lower subscreen.

Creating Your Own Monitors

We recommend that you only use the monitors in the delivered monitor sets as templates for your own monitors. More information about creating your own monitors: Creating and Changing Monitors.