Overview
In Auvik, alert notification channels (such as email, webhook, or integrations) can be configured at multiple levels, including the root site, child sites, and individual alert rules.
By default, alert configurations follow the notification channels defined at the root site. This allows centralized control over alert recipients, but it can also lead to unexpected behavior if the inheritance model is not clearly understood.
This article explains how notification channel inheritance works and how to review and adjust alert recipients.
How Notification Channel Inheritance Works
Root Site Configuration
The root site acts as the primary source of notification channels.
- When you add a notification channel at the root site, it is applied to:
- Child sites
- Alert rules
that have not been customized
- If the root site previously had no channels configured, adding one will immediately cause alerts that follow the root configuration to begin sending notifications.
Inheritance Is the Default State
Alert rules and child sites will continue using the root site’s notification channels as long as their configuration has not been modified.
There is no separate control to enable or disable inheritance—this behavior is automatic.
Customization Stops Inheritance
Inheritance is implicitly overridden when notification channels are modified at the site or alert rule level.
Examples of modifications include:
- Adding a new notification channel
- Removing an existing channel
- Replacing the channel list
Once changes are made:
- The alert rule or site uses its own defined channels
- It will no longer follow updates from the root site
Changes Apply Immediately
Updates to notification channels take effect right away:
- Adding a channel at the root → alerts begin sending to it immediately (if still following root)
- Removing a channel at the root → alerts stop sending to it immediately
No Automatic Reversion
Removing a notification channel does not restore any previous configuration.
- Channels must be manually re-added if needed
- There is no rollback to prior settings
How to Check Where Alerts Are Sent
To confirm who receives alerts:
- Open the relevant:
- Alert rule, or
- Site-level alert settings
- Locate the Notification Channels section
- Review the list of channels displayed
The channels shown represent the actual destinations that will receive alerts.
How to Adjust Alert Recipients
Define Custom Notification Channels
To use different recipients than those defined at the root:
- Open the alert rule or site settings
- Locate the Notification Channels section
- Modify the list of channels (add, remove, or replace)
Once changes are made, the configuration becomes independent of the root site.
Limit Alerts to Specific Recipients
If alerts are being sent to too many recipients:
- Update the notification channels at the:
- Child site level, or
- Individual alert rule level
This ensures only the intended recipients receive alerts.
Verifying Configuration
After making changes:
- Trigger a test alert, or
- Review the alert configuration preview (if available)
Confirm that the expected notification channels are listed and receiving alerts.
Key Points
- Notification channels at the root site apply by default
- Inheritance continues until the configuration is modified
- There is no explicit “disable inheritance” control
- Modifying channels creates an independent configuration
- Changes take effect immediately
- Always verify the Notification Channels list to confirm recipients