What are custom properties and how are they used?

Custom properties are a core feature of the SolarWinds Platform that allows administrators to extend the data model. They are user-defined fields created to store supplementary information about any monitored entity (nodes, interfaces, volumes, applications, etc.). This information, such as asset tags, physical location, department owner, or maintenance window, is not collected automatically. Once defined and populated, these properties can be leveraged in alerts, reports, dynamic groups, and custom views to organize, filter, and manage monitored elements more effectively based on business-specific criteria.

A. Custom properties are user-defined, not "built-in attributes." They are, however, commonly used to create the logic for dynamic device groups.

B. While stored in the SQL database, their primary purpose is for management and organization within the SolarWinds application, not just for database identification.

C. Custom properties are not pre-defined or automatically applied; they must be explicitly created and assigned to nodes or other elements by a user.

1. SolarWinds Platform Documentation. (2024). Create custom properties in the SolarWinds Platform. SolarWinds Success Center. Retrieved from https://documentation.solarwinds.com/en/successcenter/orionplatform/content/core-creating-custom-properties.htm. (This document states, "Custom properties are fields you can use to add your own information to monitored objects, such as nodes, volumes, or interfaces.")

2. SolarWinds Platform Documentation. (2024). Manage custom properties. SolarWinds Success Center. Retrieved from https://documentation.solarwinds.com/en/successcenter/orionplatform/content/core-custom-property-management.htm. (This guide explains how to create, edit, and assign these user-defined fields.)

3. SolarWinds Platform Documentation. (2024). Use custom properties in alerts. SolarWinds Success Center. Retrieved from https://documentation.solarwinds.com/en/successcenter/orionplatform/content/core-using-custom-properties-in-alerts.htm. (This page provides examples of how these user-defined fields are used to create more intelligent and targeted alerts.)