# Create Custom Alert elements

You can define your own custom Alert elements for more precise matching in the Alert Policy.

##

Defining custom Alert elements allows you to configure different alert notifications for different types of events and write more specific alert messages. If you set up the Management Server to send SNMP traps when alerts are triggered, you can define the SNMP code for the associated alert entries.

Alert entries are always triggered by an event, and information regarding the event is automatically included in the alert entry. How much information is included depends on the type of Alert Notification.

For more details about the product and how to configure features, click Help or press F1.

## Steps

1. Select Administration.
2. Right-click Alert Configurations, then select New > Custom Alert.
3. Configure the settings, then click OK.

## Next steps

If you edited a Custom Alert that is already used in an Alert Policy, refresh the Alert Policy on the Domain or Domains.

## Custom Alert Properties dialog box

Use this dialog box to define the properties of a Custom Alert element.

Option | Definition
--- | ---
Name | The name of the element.
Message (Optional) | Specifies the alert message. The message is shown in the Logs view, Active Alerts view, and in the Dashboard view.
Situation Type | Specifies the type of Situation that is associated with the Alert.
Category (Optional) | Includes the element in predefined categories. Click Select to select a category.
SNMP Trap Code | Specifies the SNMP Trap Code according to how the receiving system is set up. The code is included in the SNMP messages sent.