The two required components of an alert definition are symptom and action. An alert definition is a configuration that defines the conditions and actions for generating an alert1. An alert is a notification that indicates a potential or existing issue with an object in the environment2. An alert definition consists of the following components3:
Symptom: A symptom is a condition that indicates a deviation from the normal or expected behavior of an object. A symptom can be based on metrics, properties, events, or messages. A symptom can have a severity level and a wait cycle. A symptom is a required component of an alert definition, as it triggers the alert when it is met.
Recommendation: A recommendation is a suggestion or a guidance that provides a possible solution or a mitigation for the issue that caused the alert. A recommendation can include a link to a relevant document or a workflow. A recommendation is an optional component of an alert definition, as it helps the user to resolve the alert, but it does not affect the alert generation.
Action: An action is a task or a workflow that can be executed automatically or manually to resolve the issue that caused the alert. An action can be based on vRealize Orchestrator workflows or vRealize Operations Manager tasks. An action is a required component of an alert definition, as it defines the response for the alert when it is generated.
Version: A version is a number that indicates the release or the update of the alert definition. A version is an optional component of an alert definition, as it helps the user to track the changes and the compatibility of the alert definition, but it does not affect the alert generation.
Node: A node is a vRealize Operations Manager instance that is part of a cluster. A node is an optional component of an alert definition, as it helps the user to specify the scope and the source of the alert definition, but it does not affect the alert generation.
Therefore, the two required components of an alert definition are symptom and action, while the other components are optional. References:
1: vRealize Operations Manager User Guide, VMware, 2021, p. 93.
2: vRealize Operations Manager User Guide, VMware, 2021, p. 91.
3: vRealize Operations Manager User Guide, VMware, 2021, p. 94.
