--- name: vpc-backup-service-event-notifications-events title: Enabling event notifications for Backup for VPC description: Configure IBM Cloud® Event Notifications to receive alerts when Backup for VPC jobs fail. Send notifications through email, SMS, or webhooks to monitor backup snapshot creation, retention failures, and consistency group issues. last-updated: 2026-06-26 --- > ## Documentation Index > The table of contents for this documentation set is at https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?format=markdown > The index for all IBM Cloud docs is at: https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/llms.txt > Use these files to discover more information as needed. # Enabling event notifications for Backup for VPC {: #event-notifications-events} Configure IBM Cloud® Event Notifications to receive alerts when Backup for VPC jobs fail. Send notifications through email, SMS, or webhooks to monitor backup snapshot creation, retention failures, and consistency group issues. {: shortdesc} To send information to Event Notifications, you must connect your IBM Cloud Backup for VPC instance to Event Notifications. For more information about working with Event Notifications, see [Getting started with Event Notifications](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/event-notifications?topic=event-notifications-getting-started&format=markdown). ## How events are collected and sent by IBM Cloud Backup for VPC {: #event-notifications-how} Backup jobs fulfill 2 types of tasks. One task is responsible for taking the backup snapshots as scheduled, the other task manages the existing backups and applies the retention rule on the backups. If a backup job fails, IBM Cloud Backup for VPC communicates with a connected Event Notifications instance to forward a notification to a [supported destination](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/event-notifications?topic=event-notifications-en-destination&format=markdown). ## Events for IBM Cloud Backup for VPC {: #event-notifications-list} The following table lists the IBM Cloud Backup for VPC events. | Event type | Description | |--------------------------------------------|-------------| | Volume backup job creation failure \n - `service-to-service-policy-missing` \n - `snapshot-quota-reached` \n - `snapshots-bad-state` \n - `snapshots-source-volume-busy` \n - `snapshot-volume-too-large` \n - `snapshot-volume-unavailable` \n - `snapshots-encryption-key-invalid` | These events are created when a backup job can't create a backup snapshot due to missing authorization, too many existing snapshots, or when the source volume is busy. For more information, see [snapshot limit](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-snapshots-vpc-faqs&interface=ui&format=markdown#faq-snapshot-3), [snapshot lifecycle states](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-snapshots-vpc-manage&interface=ui&format=markdown#snapshots-vpc-status), and [service-to-service authorizations](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-backup-s2s-auth&format=markdown). For more information about possible fixes, see [Troubleshooting Backup](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?group=tbs-backup&format=markdown) topics.| | Volume backup job retention failure \n - `service-to-service-policy-missing` \n - `snapshot-bad-state` \n - `snapshot-in-pending-state` | These events are created when a backup job can't delete a backup snapshot due to missing authorization, or because the snapshot was in `pending` or `bad` state. For more information, see [snapshot lifecycle states](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-snapshots-vpc-manage&interface=ui&format=markdown#snapshots-vpc-status), and [service-to-service authorizations](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-backup-s2s-auth&format=markdown). | | Instance backup job creation failure \n - `service-to-service-policy-missing` \n - `snapshot_consistency_group-quota-reached` \n - `snapshot_consistency_group-bad-state` \n - `snapshot_consistency_group-source-volume-busy` \n - `snapshot_consistency_group-volume-too-large` \n - `snapshot_consistency_group-volume-unavailable` \n - `snapshot_consistency_group-encryption-key-invalid` | These events are created when a backup job can't create the snapshots of a consistency group due to various reasons. For example, missing authorization, unavailability of the instance that the volumes are attached to, inaccessible encryption key, or service limits for size of the volume or number of snapshots are reached. For more information, see [snapshot lifecycle states](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-snapshots-vpc-manage&interface=ui&format=markdown#snapshots-vpc-status), and [service-to-service authorizations](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-backup-s2s-auth&format=markdown). For more information about possible fixes, see [Troubleshooting Backup](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?group=tbs-backup&format=markdown) topics. | | Instance backup job retention failure \n - `service-to-service-policy-missing` \n - `snapshot_consistency_group-bad-state` \n - `snapshot-consistency-group-in-pending-state` | These events are created when a backup job can't delete the backup snapshots that are part of a consistency group due to missing authorization, or the snapshots are in `pending` state. For more information, see [snapshot lifecycle states](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-snapshots-vpc-manage&interface=ui&format=markdown#snapshots-vpc-status), and [service-to-service authorizations](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-backup-s2s-auth&format=markdown). For more information about possible fixes, see [Troubleshooting Backup](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?group=tbs-backup&format=markdown) topics. | {: caption="Actions that generate event notifications" caption-side="bottom"} When you see these alerts, you can use the [API](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-backup-view-policy-jobs&interface=api&format=markdown#backup-view-jobs-details-api) or [CLI](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-backup-view-policy-jobs&interface=cli&format=markdown#backup-view-jobs-details-cli) to confirm the reason for the failed status. For more information about how to resolve the issue, see [Troubleshooting Backup for VPC](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-baas-troubleshoot&format=markdown). ## Enabling notifications {: #event-notifications-enable} Events that are generated by an instance of the IBM Cloud Backup for VPC service can be forwarded to an Event Notifications service instance that is available in the same account. You can configure only one Backup service source to one Event Notifications service instance. If an IAM authorization between IBM Cloud Backup for VPC and Event Notifications doesn't exist in your account yet, create one with the Event Source Manager role. For more information, see [Establishing service-to-service authorizations](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-backup-s2s-auth&interface=ui&format=markdown#backup-s2s-auth-procedure-en-ui). Before you can enable notifications for IBM Cloud Backup for VPC, be sure that you have an [Event Notifications service instance](https://cloud.ibm.com/catalog/services/event-notifications){: external} that is in the same account as your IBM Cloud Backup for VPC instance. Then, you can use the **Actions > Event notifications** section in the IBM Cloud Backup policy details page to connect the services.{: ui} Then, you can connect to Event Notifications programmatically by calling the Event Notification API.{: api} ### Connecting to Event Notifications in the console {: #event-notifications-enable-ui} {: ui} 1. In the [IBM Cloud console](https://cloud.ibm.com/login){: external}, click the **Navigation menu** icon ![menu icon](../icons/icon_hamburger.svg) **> Infrastructure** ![VPC icon](../icons/vpc.svg) **> Storage > Backup policies**. 1. Click a policy name. 1. Click **Actions** ![Actions icon](../icons/action-menu-icon.svg "Actions") and select **Event notifications**. 1. In the Connect to Event Notifications side panel, review the source details for the connection, and provide a description. 1. Select the resource group and the Event Notifications service instance that you want to connect. If an IAM authorization between IBM Cloud Backup for VPC and Event Notifications doesn't exist in your account, follow the steps in [Enabling service-to-service authorization for Event Notifications](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-backup-s2s-auth&interface=ui&format=markdown#backup-s2s-auth-procedure-en-ui) to set it up. AIM Admin role is required to set up authorizations. 1. To confirm the connection, click **Save**. ### Connecting to Event Notifications from the CLI {: #event-notifications-enable-cli} {: cli} To connect your IBM Cloud Backup for VPC source to from the CLI, use the `ibmcloud event-notifications sources-create` command. ```sh ibmcloud event-notifications sources-create --instance-id INSTANCE-ID --name NAME --source BACKUP POLICY CRN --description DESCRIPTION [--enabled ENABLED] ``` {: pre} For more information, see the [Event Notification CLI reference](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/event-notifications?topic=event-notifications-event-notifications-cli&format=markdown#en-cli-source-create-command){: external}. ### Connecting to Event Notifications with the API {: #event-notifications-enable-api} {: api} The following example shows a query that you can use to register your IBM Cloud Backup for VPC source details with Event Notifications. When you call the API, replace the ID variables and IAM token with the values that are specific to your IBM Cloud Backup for VPC instance. You can find the `event_notifications_instance_crn` value in the console by going to the Resource list page and clicking the Event Notifications instance row. {: tip} ```sh curl -X POST "{base_url}/v1/instances/{instance_id}/sources" -H "Authorization: Bearer {iam_token}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{ "name":"Event Notification Source - Backup policy", "source" : "crn:v1:bluemix:public:is:us-south:a/{{account_id}}::backup-policy:", "description":"Backup policy service registration. This source provides notifications for backup job failures.", "enabled":true, "event_notifications_instance_crn": "crn:v1:bluemix:public:event-notifications::a/:::" }' ``` {: codeblock} A successful response returns the CRN value of your connected Event Notifications service instance. For more information about the required and optional request parameters, see the [Event Notification API docs](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/apis/event-notifications#create-sources). ### Connecting to Event Notifications with Terraform {: #event-notifications-enable-terraform} {: terraform} To connect the IBM Cloud Backup for VPC service to Event Notifications, use the `ibm_en_source` resource. For more information about the arguments and attributes, see the Terraform reference for the [ibm_en_source](https://registry.terraform.io/providers/IBM-Cloud/ibm/latest/docs/resources/en_source){: external} resource. ```terraform resource "ibm_en_source" "en_source" { instance_guid = ibm_resource_instance.en_terraform_test_resource.guid name = "EN Source for Backup jobs" source = "crn:v1:bluemix:public:is:us-south:a/{{account_id}}::backup-policy:" description = "API source for Event notification destinations" enabled = true } ``` {: codeblock} ## Delivering notifications to select destinations {: #event-notifications-destinations} After you enable notifications for IBM Cloud Backup for VPC, create topics and subscriptions in Event Notifications so that alerts can be forwarded and delivered to your selected destinations. For a complete list of supported destinations, see the [Event Notifications documentation](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/event-notifications?topic=event-notifications-en-destination&format=markdown). {: tip} ### Email notifications {: #event-notifications-email} You can use the [IBM Cloud email service](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/event-notifications?topic=event-notifications-en-destinations-email&format=markdown) as a delivery channel for IBM Cloud Backup for VPC event notifications. [Create an Event Notifications subscription](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/event-notifications?topic=event-notifications-en-create-en-subscription&format=markdown) between an existing topic and the IBM Cloud email service to forward your alerts to various recipients by email. An email from IBM Cloud that contains information about an IBM Cloud Backup for VPC event resembles the following example: ```plaintext Email Title: Volume Backup Job Creation Failure Email Body: Volume Backup Job Creation Failure. Resource: crn:v1:bluemix:public:is:us-south-1:a/be09dae34250437f96fc8b27ae7d233b::volume:r006-f6583aac-8ba9-4d04-ab7a-acfe7b420016. BackupJobID: r006-899ab8fb-3b71-4fc8-bca5-1544cb425e4f. Reason: Snapshot quota per volume reached. Notification details: { "backup_policy": "r006-306fd8f6-b14c-410d-8f29-f05282b6daa9", "backup_policy_job": "r006-899ab8fb-3b71-4fc8-bca5-1544cb425e4f", "backup_policy_plan": "r006-444bb07f-3399-42d5-b895-febcaca8d1bc", "match_resource_type" : "volume", "job_type" : "creation", "reasons": [ { "more_info": "https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-troubleshooting-backup-for-vpc", "status": "source_volume_too_large" } ], "resource": "crn:v1:bluemix:public:is:us-south-1:a/be09dae34250437f96fc8b27ae7d233b::volume:r006-f6583aac-8ba9-4d04-ab7a-acfe7b420016" } ``` {: screen} To receive detailed information about an event notification in your email, select the **Add notification payload** option when you create an Event Notifications subscription. Your email displays the [notification payload details](#event-notifications-payload) that are associated with the event. {: tip} ### Webhooks {: #event-notifications-webhook} You can configure a webhook destination so that an incoming notification can be consumed programmatically by an app or service. For more information about setting up webhooks, check out the [Event Notifications documentation](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/event-notifications?topic=event-notifications-en-destinations-webhook&format=markdown). ## Notification payload details {: #event-notifications-payload} Successful events that are generated by IBM Cloud Backup for VPC contain various fields that help you to identify the source and details of an event. Event notifications from IBM Cloud Backup for VPC contain only metadata properties, such as names or identifiers of resources. Sensitive data, for example API keys or passwords, are not included in generated events. {: note} The properties that are sent to Event Notifications vary depending on the event type. For example, if an `Backup job creation failed` event takes place, IBM Cloud Backup for VPC sends a notification payload to Event Notifications that is similar to the following example. ```json { "ibmendefaultlong": "{\"status\":\"Backup job creation / retention failed\", \"backup_policy\": r006-6da51cfe-6f7b-4638-a6ba-00e9c327b178, \"backup_policy_plan\":\"r006-076191ba-49c2-4763-94fd-c70de73ee2e6\", \"status_reason\": \"source_volume_busy: The source volume has busy set (after multiple retries)\", \"match_resource_type\": \"instance\", \"job_type\": \"creation\", \"more_info\": \"https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/vpc?topic=vpc-baas-troubleshoot\"}", "ibmendefaultshort": "Backup Job creation / retention failed", "id": "b2198eb8-04b1-48ec-a78c-ee87694dd845", "time": "2024-04-22T20:59:34Z", "ibmenseverity": "medium", "type": "com.ibm.cloud.is.backup-policy.backup-volume-creation", "source": "com.ibm.cloud.is.backup-policy", "specversion": "1.0", "ibmensourceid": "41cdb7d4-db3e-496b-b7df-d4ead362c412:api" } ``` {: screen}