Automate Responses for Network Alerts

Step 1: Identify and List Common Network Alerts

"List the types of network alerts our monitoring system generates most often. Provide their names, a brief description, and priority level."

Goal

To create a clear inventory of common network alerts, laying the foundation for designing automation rules tailored to the actual incidents that occur most frequently.

Example

"Here are 5 common network alerts:

• High CPU Usage — Triggered when usage exceeds 90% for 5 min. Priority: High.
• Link Down — Interface status change to down. Priority: High.
• Disk Space Low — Less than 10% remaining. Priority: Medium.
• Temperature Warning — Device temp exceeds safe thresholds. Priority: Medium.
• Unauthorized Device Detected — New MAC address on network. Priority: High.

"

Variations

• "Show a ranked list of the top 10 recurring network alerts in our system logs."
• "Export alert types generated in the past month with their frequency."

Troubleshooting

• Missing alert types: Check current network monitoring documentation for all alert definitions.
• Incorrect priority: Consult internal operations policy to confirm severity allocations.

Step 2: Define Automated Actions for Each Alert Type

"Suggest appropriate automated responses for each listed alert, specifying the action, escalation path, and notification recipients."

Goal

To map each alert type to a precise, predefined automation action that addresses or escalates the incident with minimal manual intervention.

Example

"For 'High CPU Usage': Action — Restart SNMP service, Escalate after 2 failed attempts, Notify Network Admin via email and Slack."

Variations

• "What is the industry best practice response for a 'Link Down' event?"
• "List automation scripts effective for resolving disk space warnings in Windows environments."
• "Propose step-by-step remediation for unauthorized device detection."

Troubleshooting

• Ambiguous actions: Clarify incident response procedures with Tier 2 support documentation.
• Over-escalation: Adjust rules to notify appropriate personnel based on actual impact and business needs.

Step 3: Write or Select Automation Scripts and Rule Templates

"Generate or recommend PowerShell, Bash, or Python scripts (as needed) to automate the specified response actions for each alert. Include example code for at least one alert type."

Goal

To provide ready-to-use code/scripts and rule definitions that can be deployed in the chosen automation tool or network monitoring platform.

Example

"For the 'Disk Space Low' alert: powershellGet-PSDrive -PSProvider 'FileSystem' | Where-Object {$_.Free -lt 10GB} | ForEach-Object {Invoke-Command -ScriptBlock {Clear-RecycleBin -Confirm:$false}} "

Variations

• "Provide Ansible playbook YAML to reboot a switch on link down."
• "Draft a Python script that sends a Slack notification when a new device is detected."

Troubleshooting

• Scripts incompatible with environment: Specify operating system, software version, and check for dependencies.
• Error-prone automation logic: Test scripts in a sandboxed environment to prevent outages or unintended changes.

Step 4: Implement and Test Automated Responses in Your Monitoring Platform

"Describe how to integrate the prepared scripts and automation rules into [your monitoring tool, e.g., Nagios, PRTG, SolarWinds], including test procedures to verify correct execution."

Goal

To safely introduce automation rules and scripts into the live monitoring environment, verifying correct function and minimizing disruption.

Example

"In SolarWinds: Import PowerShell script into Alert Actions, set trigger condition to 'Disk Space Low', use Test Alert feature, confirm test notification is received."

Variations

• "Outline steps for adding an automated remediation action in PRTG for a 'Link Down' sensor trigger."
• "Demonstrate setting up a dry-run mode for all new alert actions before enabling in production."

Troubleshooting

• Script failures or missed actions: Check script permissions, monitoring platform logs, and test inputs for errors.
• Unexpected alert storms: Adjust trigger thresholds or add rate-limiting logic to prevent repeated automated actions on recurring alerts.

Step 5: Review, Monitor, and Refine Automated Alert Responses

"Summarize how to audit automated alert responses over time and provide recommendations for periodic review and refinement based on incident logs and feedback."

Goal

To establish an ongoing process for evaluating the effectiveness of automated responses and making improvements based on actual outcomes and changing network patterns.

Example

"After one month, review automation log in SolarWinds: 95% of 'Link Down' incidents resolved automatically, 2 escalated inaccurately — adjusted alert rules to refine criteria."

Variations

• "How to set up a recurring monthly review meeting to discuss automation incidents and gather team feedback."
• "Create a dashboard widget in the monitoring tool showing successes vs. manual escalations for key alerts."

Troubleshooting

• Missed or false positive actions: Reassess alert definitions and adjust rules based on patterns in incident review data.
• Lack of notifications on failures: Ensure secondary escalation and reporting is enabled for automation failures.