Alert notifications Azure Arc

Setting up alert notifications in Azure Arc, especially for virtual machines (VMs) being patched via Azure Update Manager with Extended Security updates, is a valuable practice to keep stakeholders informed about the status of their VMs. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up email notifications for VM update events:

Step 1: Configure Azure Monitor Alerts

Azure Arc heavily relies on Azure Monitor, which can be used to set up alert rules based on specific conditions or events.

1. Navigate to Azure Monitor: In the Azure portal, go to Azure Monitor.
2. Create Alert Rules: Under Alerts, you can create new alert rules. Here, you specify the criteria for when an alert should be triggered, such as when update operations start, succeed, or fail.
3. Specify the Conditions: Define the conditions that trigger the alerts. You can use the activity log or metrics to monitor the status of the VM updates. For instance, you can set an alert for when the update process starts and another for when it completes (successfully or with errors).

Step 2: Action Groups

An Action Group in Azure Monitor defines the actions to take when an alert rule is triggered.

1) Create an Action Group: Under Alerts, find the “Action groups” section. Here you create a new group or use an existing one.
2) Set Up Email Notifications: In the action group, add an action that sends an email. You’ll need to specify the email addresses of the individuals who should receive the notifications.

Step 3: Integrate with Azure Update Management
Since you’re using Azure Update Manager for patching, ensure the alerts are configured to track the specific update tasks.

1) Link Alerts with Update Tasks: Make sure the alerts are set to trigger based on the events generated by Azure Update Manager.
2) Test the Configuration: It’s good practice to test the setup to ensure that the notifications are working as expected.

Cost Considerations

• Alerts and Notifications: Generally, Azure Monitor Alerts might incur costs based on the number of signals, alert rules, and notifications. Review the Azure Monitor pricing page for detailed information.
• Action Groups: Sending emails through action groups might not significantly affect costs, but it’s important to confirm this in the pricing details.

Final Notes

• Documentation and Support: Azure’s documentation and support channels are valuable resources if you encounter specific issues or require more detailed guidance.
• Customization: You can further customize the alerts and notifications based on the needs of your team or organization.

By following these steps, you should be able to set up email notifications for VM patching events in Azure Arc, enhancing the visibility and management of your VMs' update status.