---
title: The alerts backend
description: PingData servers generate administrative alerts under the cn=alerts branch. The backend makes it possible to obtain admin alert information over LDAP for use with remote monitoring.
component: pingdirectory
version: 9.3
page_id: pingdirectory:pingdatametrics_server_administration_guide:pd_met_alerts_backend
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingdirectory/9.3/pingdatametrics_server_administration_guide/pd_met_alerts_backend.html
revdate: September 13, 2023
---

# The alerts backend

PingData servers generate administrative alerts under the `cn=alerts` branch. The backend makes it possible to obtain admin alert information over LDAP for use with remote monitoring.

The backend's primary job is to process search operations for alerts. It does not support add, modify, or modify DN operations of entries. The alerts persist on disk in the `config/alerts.ldif` file so that they can survive server restarts. By default, the alerts remain on disk for seven days before being removed. However, administrators can configure the number of days for alert retention using the `dsconfig` tool. The administrative alerts of Warning level or worse that have occurred in the last 48 hours are viewable from the output of the `status` command-line tool and in the administrative console.