Alerting

Configuration options

Test this alert:

Pressing this button will simulate a triggered alert and send both up and and down messages in succession to all destinations defined for the alert.

Alert Destinations:

The recipients of this alert. Click Manage Alert Destinations to modify, remove, or add destinations.

Alert Timeout:

Mailive! will trigger an alert when there is no response activity for this many minutes.

Down Only:

Messages are sent only when the alert is initially triggered (Server Down) and will send no message when the server is responsive again. This can be useful if there are many alerts configured for different timeouts and multiple UP alerts are not needed.

Repeat Alert:

If selected the DOWN message will be repeated on an increasing interval until Mailive! receives responses to test messages again. For example: A 10 minute alert that triggers at 03:00 will send additional down messages at 03:10, 03:30, 04:10, 05:30, etc... Doubling the time between down alerts (10, 20, 40, 80 minutes). Only one up alert will be sent unless the Down Only option is selected, then none will be sent.

Subject Down:

Subject of the message to be sent when the monitor is considered DOWN

Message body - Down:

Any additional text to be included with the down message. In an email this will become the body of the message. For voice and SMS alerts this will simply be appended to the subject.

Subject Up:

Subject of the message to be sent when the monitor is considered UP

Message body - Up:

Any extra text needed for the message body. Same as above.

How are alerts triggered?

Rather than alert on individual message delay, Mailive's unique alerting system is based on a period of inactivity. Every minute, Mailive! checks the last time we heard from your server (by checking the Time Received). Based on your Alert Timeout setting, Mailive! triggers a down alert if your Timeout period has been exceeded. As soon as we get a response (to any outstanding test message) Mailive! recognizes that your system must be up, and will trigger an up alert. Adjusting your alert settings is a matter adjusting either your Test Frequency or your Alert Timeout - or both. If we send Test Messages more frequently, we should be receiving responses more frequently.

How does Mailive! handle alerting in times of trouble

There are several metrics gathered internally multiple times per minute. Should any of the internal metrics vary too drastically or drop below a set threshold Mailive! alerting is disabled system-wide and Knowledge Front engineers are paged immediately to investigate.

From where are alerts sent?

How do I alert to my cell phone?

Mailive! offers a couple of ways to send messages to cell phones.

1. Alert destinations configured with a phone number can receive alerts directly using SMS. There will be a one time opt-out message sent to each mobile device configured (required by carriers). We recommend testing an alert after a new mobile device has been added to the system in order to ensure delivery is possible. If there are any problems or questions contact us and we will be happy to help.
2. Mailive! also has the ability to convert the alert subject and message to speech (currently English only) and call a phone number. As always, we recommend testing the alert to make sure it is working properly.
3. Most cell phones these days have an e-mail address to which a text message can be sent. This varies depending on the cell phone provider. We suggest you contact your cell phone provider to ask how this can be done for your phone. You are also welcome to contact us and we will help out in any way we can.

How can I test alerting to make sure it is working?

Can I add multiple destinations to my alerts?

Yes. Simply add additional alert destinations under the Manage Alert Destinations link to configure as many as needed.

Can I add multiple alerts?

Yes. It is common for clients to set-up a 10 minute alert to go to destination X, and a 30 minute alert to go to destination. X, Y, and Z. This serves as an excellent escalation procedure.

Are there limits to the number of alerts per monitor?

There are currently no limits in place for the number of alerts that may be configured in the system. If you have extreme case feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to discuss possible solutions.