I want to build an alert that queries a Custom Property string, I want to type the value in the alert, not select from a drop down list.

This is an interesting one. I tried same and I could not do it. Now, this can be "by design", because the Custom Property is based on drop-down values, however, I do agree that filter "contains" does suggests that we should be able to manually enter value. Hmm... maybe someone from Product Team can chip in to comment on this

On the other hand - why would you use two different parameters in one custom property. Just split them into [SITE] and [TYPE] - this will give you much more flexibility in the future. For example you may have a lot of devices on Pluto with different connections - MPLS, Leased Line, VPN - you name them. When it comes down to reporting and filtering - how do you easily know how many devices you have on Pluto? Or how many MPLS devices you have across all you r infrastructure and all sites? You will need a math and all these complications and extra filtering as above

So, I strongly recommenced you to split them into two

Alex

Totally understand - but I'm building it the way a client wants it. I preferred a different method and spoke at length about it, much like the way you're saying, but they're not interested.

Not sure if this would work (have not tried it myself) but could be worth a try.

Go to Manage Custom Properties - select your Custom Property (Site) and click Edit.

Change the Restrict Values (untick the box). Click Submit.

Go to your alerts setup and see if now you can set the condition you want (Node - Site - Contains - (MPLS)).

If it allows you - save the alert.

Go back to the Manage Custom Properties and edit the Site CP and tick the Restrict Values box to enable it again.

Check to see if the alert works as designed and then check the alert definition to see if the condition you created "sticks" after the changes to Restrict Values setting.

Another suggestion/ workaround:

In the alert wizard, click on 'Show SWQL'. You can copy paste the SWQL and build an 'Custom SWQL Alert (Advanced)'

Then you need to understand what is the reason for them not wanting to do this. Maybe they have something in mind and you can help them to do it even better then they envision it. At the end of the day, for them, it is an output that matters, not implementation. However, for you implementation is also important and more flexible it is - better for you

Below is a Custom SQL for you to do what you want. From your trigger condition step select "I want to report on Custom SQL Alert (Advances)" and paste the below into your condition field:

WHERE Nodes.Site LIKE '%(VPN)%' OR Nodes.Caption LIKE '%(MPLS)%' OR Nodes.Caption LIKE '%(SAT)%'

I'm going to try the suggestions everyone has posted and I'll report back here. Thanks!

Cheers,

lbrowne

ralphpost I'm not sure we're using the same version? When I go into the Custom Property in question, here are my options outside of adding values to the drop down list:

"Restrict Values" tick you need to uncheck

... its like playing with fire let us know how you get on. I would be interested to know what happens when you add this tick back - would alerting still work? Also, would you be able to modify it?

turn off the option for the drop down list - then adjust the alert to use contain of this custom property - then re enable the Restrict Values : Create a drop-down list of values

or SQL will do what you want - cultivate the alert and change to sql and adjusting that base should be easy.

When I take the checkmark out, my extensive site list disappears. If I submit that, will that list be gone forever? I wouldn't want to have to re-enter those values when I go to put the checkmark back in.