A network management system allows a user to generate a customized event request for network accessible devices. In response to a user request the system displays a list of devices, and a list of predefined event requests. In response to user customization commands the system generates customized event requests by associating various ones of the displayed devices with various ones of the displayed predefined event requests. At most one predefined event request is associated with each device. The network management system periodically sends the customized event requests to the devices with which they have been associated, and receives response messages from those devices. A display or report may be generated showing the status of the responding devices, using the information in the received response messages. A predefined event request may be formed by storing one or more variable/threshold pairs in a predefined event request data structure. The network management system allows an administrator to define or change the system by associating devices with predefined event requests, eliminating the need to write or modify computer programs.