What is the key difference between a "trigger" and an "event" in Zabbix?

A trigger in Zabbix is a significant component that defines a condition based on data collected by the monitoring system. When a specific threshold or condition set in the trigger is met, it indicates a potential issue or state that requires attention. This is the essence of what a trigger does; it helps identify when something is wrong in the monitored system.

On the other hand, an event is the outcome that results when a trigger condition is satisfied. This means that when the pre-defined condition of the trigger is met (for instance, if a server's CPU usage exceeds a certain percentage), an event is generated to record this occurrence. Events can lead to further actions such as alerts, notifications, or automating responses within the system.

This distinction is crucial for understanding how Zabbix operates: triggers are the mechanisms that monitor system health by defining conditions, whereas events are the notifications or responses triggered by those conditions being met. Understanding this relationship helps users effectively set up monitoring and alerting mechanisms within Zabbix.