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Question 16:

What command displays currently running Splunk processes?

A) splunk list

B) splunk status

C) splunk show

D) splunk display

Answer: B

Explanation:

Managing Splunk services effectively requires understanding the command-line tools available for monitoring and controlling the Splunk instance. The “splunk status” command provides information about currently running Splunk processes and their operational state.

When administrators execute “splunk status” from the $SPLUNK_HOME/bin directory, Splunk returns information indicating whether the Splunk daemon (splunkd) and other core processes are running. This command is essential for verifying that Splunk is operational after starting it, confirming that a restart completed successfully, or troubleshooting service availability issues. The status command typically returns a simple message indicating whether Splunk is running along with the process ID of the main splunkd process. This is often the first diagnostic step when investigating connectivity problems, service interruptions, or after applying configuration changes that required a restart. Unlike more detailed system monitoring commands, status provides a quick health check specifically for Splunk services.

Option A is incorrect because “splunk list” is not a valid Splunk CLI command for checking process status. While Splunk has various list commands for specific objects (like listing apps or users through the CLI or REST API), there is no generic “splunk list” command for viewing running processes.

Option C is incorrect because “splunk show” is not a standard Splunk command for displaying process information. Some Splunk CLI commands use “show” as a subcommand in specific contexts, but “splunk show” by itself is not a valid command for checking service status.

Option D is incorrect because “splunk display” is not a recognized Splunk command. The Splunk CLI follows specific command syntax patterns, and “display” is not part of the standard service management vocabulary that includes start, stop, restart, and status.

Additional useful CLI commands include “splunk help” for viewing available commands, “splunk version” for checking the installed Splunk version, and various administrative commands for user management, license management, and configuration tasks. Understanding the core service management commands is fundamental for effective Splunk administration.

Question 17: 

Which setting in indexes.conf controls maximum index size?

A) maxIndexSize

B) maxDataSize

C) maxTotalDataSizeMB

D) maxVolumeDataSizeMB

Answer: C

Explanation:

Managing index storage is a critical responsibility for Splunk administrators, as uncontrolled index growth can lead to disk space exhaustion and system instability. Understanding the configuration parameters that control index size helps administrators implement effective storage management strategies.

The maxTotalDataSizeMB setting in indexes.conf controls the maximum total size of an index across all its storage stages (hot, warm, and cold buckets). This parameter specifies the maximum amount of disk space, in megabytes, that an index can consume. When an index approaches this limit, Splunk automatically rolls the oldest cold buckets to frozen status according to the configured retention policies, freeing up space for new data. This mechanism prevents any single index from consuming all available disk space and allows administrators to allocate storage quotas across multiple indexes based on business priorities. Setting appropriate values for maxTotalDataSizeMB requires understanding data ingestion rates, retention requirements, and available storage capacity. This parameter works in conjunction with time-based retention settings to provide comprehensive storage management.

Option A is incorrect because maxIndexSize is not a valid parameter in indexes.conf. While the naming suggests size control, Splunk uses different parameter names for its actual configuration settings. Administrators should reference official Splunk documentation when configuring indexes to ensure they use correct parameter names.

Option B is incorrect because maxDataSize is also not a valid Splunk parameter for controlling total index size. While various “max” settings exist in Splunk configuration files for different purposes, this particular parameter name is not used for index size management in indexes.conf.

Option D is incorrect because maxVolumeDataSizeMB is related to volume-based storage management rather than individual index size control. Volumes in Splunk allow administrators to group multiple indexes and manage them collectively with shared storage pools. While maxVolumeDataSizeMB controls the size of a volume, it operates at a different level than individual index size management.

Effective index management typically combines maxTotalDataSizeMB with frozenTimePeriodInSecs to balance time-based and size-based retention, ensuring both compliance with retention policies and efficient storage utilization. Administrators should regularly monitor index sizes and adjust these parameters as data volumes change.

Question 18: 

What is the function of the License Master?

A) To create new licenses

B) To manage and track license usage across Splunk deployment

C) To encrypt license files

D) To distribute forwarder licenses only

Answer: B

Explanation:

License management is a fundamental aspect of Splunk administration that ensures compliance with licensing agreements and enables monitoring of deployment growth. The License Master plays a central coordinating role in enterprise Splunk deployments for managing license-related activities.

The License Master is designated to manage and track license usage across the entire Splunk deployment, including all indexers and other Splunk instances. When organizations have multiple Splunk instances (such as distributed indexers, search heads, and other components), the License Master serves as the central authority for license distribution and usage monitoring. All licensed Splunk instances connect to the License Master to retrieve their license configurations and report their daily indexing volumes. The License Master aggregates this usage data, compares it against licensed volumes, and tracks compliance across the deployment. It generates alerts when license violations occur, provides reporting on usage trends, and helps administrators understand which data sources or indexes consume the most license capacity. This centralized approach simplifies license management in complex deployments.

Option A is incorrect because the License Master does not create licenses. Licenses are generated and provided by Splunk Inc. when customers purchase or renew their Splunk subscriptions. The License Master receives these licenses from Splunk and distributes them to the deployment but has no capability to create new licenses independently.

Option C is incorrect because the License Master does not encrypt license files. License files are provided by Splunk in their final form and are applied to the License Master without modification. While secure transmission and storage of license files is important, encryption is not a function performed by the License Master component.

Option D is incorrect because the License Master manages all types of licenses across the deployment, not just forwarder licenses. Universal Forwarders typically use free forwarder licenses that have no indexing volume restrictions, but the License Master also manages enterprise licenses for indexers, search heads, and other components that do index data and consume license volume.

Properly configuring a License Master in distributed environments ensures accurate license tracking and helps organizations avoid license violations while planning for capacity growth and license renewals.

Question 19: 

Which Splunk role has the most privileges?

A) user

B) power

C) admin

D) can_delete

Answer: C

Explanation:

Splunk implements role-based access control to manage user permissions and ensure appropriate access to data and functionality. Understanding the built-in roles and their privilege levels is essential for implementing proper security in Splunk environments.

The admin role has the most comprehensive privileges in Splunk, providing full access to all system functions, configurations, data, and administrative capabilities. Users assigned the admin role can perform any action within Splunk, including creating and managing users, modifying system configurations, installing and managing apps, configuring data inputs, managing licenses, accessing all indexes regardless of access restrictions, creating and modifying any knowledge objects, and performing administrative tasks that affect the entire Splunk deployment. The admin role is typically reserved for Splunk administrators who are responsible for maintaining and configuring the system. Organizations should carefully control who receives admin privileges, following the principle of least privilege to minimize security risks.

Option A is incorrect because the user role has limited privileges designed for basic Splunk users who primarily need to search data and view shared knowledge objects. Users with this role can run searches, create personal knowledge objects (like saved searches and dashboards), but cannot modify system configurations, manage other users, or access restricted data without additional permissions.

Option B is incorrect because the power role has intermediate privileges between user and admin. Power users can create and share knowledge objects with other users, schedule searches, use real-time searches, and perform more advanced analytics, but they still cannot perform administrative tasks like user management, system configuration changes, or app installation. This role is suitable for analysts and advanced users who need more capabilities than basic users.

Option D is incorrect because can_delete is a capability, not a role. Splunk’s security model distinguishes between roles (collections of capabilities) and capabilities (individual permissions). The can_delete capability specifically allows users to delete entities like saved searches or dashboard panels, but it is not a role and does not provide administrative privileges by itself.

Proper role assignment and custom role creation help organizations implement appropriate access controls aligned with job responsibilities and security requirements.

Question 20: 

What does the homePath setting specify in indexes.conf?

A) Location of frozen data

B) Location of hot and warm buckets

C) Location of configuration files

D) Location of thawed data

Answer: B

Explanation:

Understanding Splunk’s bucket lifecycle and storage architecture is essential for proper index configuration and storage management. The homePath setting plays a crucial role in determining where Splunk stores active index data.

The homePath parameter in indexes.conf specifies the file system location where Splunk stores hot and warm buckets for an index. Hot buckets are currently being written to as new data arrives, while warm buckets contain older data that is no longer being actively written but remains on fast storage for quick search access. The homePath location should be on fast, reliable storage (typically SSD or high-performance disk arrays) because it contains the most frequently accessed data. As buckets age and are accessed less frequently, Splunk moves them through the lifecycle: hot buckets roll to warm when they reach size or time limits, and warm buckets eventually move to cold storage (specified by the coldPath setting) when they exceed warm bucket retention policies. Proper configuration of homePath is critical for optimal performance and storage utilization.

Option A is incorrect because frozen data location is not controlled by homePath. Frozen data represents the oldest data that has exceeded the retention period. Splunk can either delete frozen data or archive it to a location specified by the coldToFrozenDir or coldToFrozenScript settings, but this is separate from the homePath configuration.

Option C is incorrect because homePath does not specify the location of configuration files. Splunk configuration files are stored in the $SPLUNK_HOME/etc directory structure and its subdirectories, following Splunk’s configuration precedence system. Index data storage paths and configuration file locations are managed independently.

Option D is incorrect because thawed data location is not specified by homePath. Thawed data represents frozen/archived data that has been restored for searching. When administrators restore archived data, it is placed in the thawedPath location (specified by the thawedPath parameter), which is separate from the homePath where active hot and warm buckets reside.

Administrators should carefully plan homePath locations considering available storage capacity, I/O performance requirements, and backup strategies to ensure optimal Splunk performance and data protection.

Question 21: 

Which protocol does Splunk commonly use for syslog data?

A) HTTP

B) FTP

C) UDP or TCP

D) SMTP

Answer: C

Explanation:

Syslog is a widely used standard for message logging in network devices, servers, and applications, making it an important data source for Splunk deployments. Understanding the protocols used for syslog transmission is essential for configuring Splunk to receive this data effectively.

Splunk commonly receives syslog data over UDP (User Datagram Protocol) or TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). The traditional syslog standard (RFC 3164) primarily used UDP on port 514, which provides fast, low-overhead transmission suitable for high-volume logging. UDP syslog sends messages without establishing connections or requiring acknowledgments, making it efficient but potentially unreliable since messages can be lost if network issues occur. Modern implementations also support TCP-based syslog transmission, which provides reliable, connection-oriented delivery that ensures messages are not lost, making it preferable for critical log data. Splunk can be configured to listen on UDP or TCP ports to receive syslog data by creating appropriate network inputs in inputs.conf. Administrators specify the protocol, port number, and source type when configuring syslog inputs.

Option A is incorrect because HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is not commonly used for traditional syslog data transmission. While Splunk can receive data over HTTP through the HTTP Event Collector (HEC), this is a different mechanism from standard syslog. HEC uses HTTP or HTTPS for structured data ingestion with token-based authentication, which is more sophisticated than traditional syslog protocols.

Option B is incorrect because FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is designed for file transfers, not real-time log message streaming. While Splunk can monitor files that might be transferred via FTP, FTP itself is not used as a protocol for syslog message transmission. Syslog requires real-time or near-real-time message delivery that FTP cannot provide.

Option D is incorrect because SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is designed for email transmission, not log message delivery. While some legacy systems might send log information via email, this is not standard syslog protocol behavior, and it would be inefficient and inappropriate for high-volume logging scenarios.

When configuring Splunk for syslog reception, administrators must consider factors like message volume, criticality, network reliability, and firewall configurations to choose the appropriate protocol and port settings.

Question 22: 

What is the purpose of the coldPath setting?

A) To specify location for active indexing

B) To define where old, infrequently accessed data is stored

C) To set the frozen archive location

D) To configure temporary storage

Answer: B

Explanation:

Splunk’s bucket lifecycle management system moves data through different storage tiers based on age and access patterns, optimizing both performance and storage costs. The coldPath setting is an important parameter in this storage management strategy.

The coldPath parameter in indexes.conf defines where old, infrequently accessed data buckets are stored. As data ages and moves through Splunk’s bucket lifecycle, warm buckets eventually transition to cold status when they exceed warm bucket retention policies or when storage constraints require older data to be moved to less expensive storage. Cold buckets contain data that is still within the retention period and remains searchable but is accessed less frequently than hot and warm data. The coldPath typically points to slower, less expensive storage media (such as traditional spinning disks or network-attached storage) compared to the fast storage used for homePath. This tiered storage approach allows organizations to maintain long retention periods while managing storage costs effectively, keeping frequently accessed data on fast storage and moving older data to economical storage.

Option A is incorrect because active indexing occurs in the homePath location where hot buckets reside. Hot buckets are where new data is actively written as it is indexed, requiring fast storage with good write performance. The coldPath is for older, read-only data that has already been indexed and is no longer being actively written.

Option C is incorrect because the frozen archive location is specified by coldToFrozenDir or coldToFrozenScript parameters, not coldPath. Frozen data has exceeded the retention period and is either deleted permanently or archived to external storage for potential future restoration. The coldPath contains data that is still within the searchable retention period.

Option D is incorrect because coldPath does not configure temporary storage. Splunk does use temporary storage for various operations (such as search artifacts and dispatch directories), but these are managed through different settings. The coldPath is permanent storage for older buckets that remain part of the searchable dataset.

Proper configuration of coldPath as part of a tiered storage strategy helps organizations balance performance requirements with storage costs while maintaining appropriate data retention periods for compliance and analytical needs.

Question 23: 

Which file manages user authentication settings?

A) authorize.conf

B) authentication.conf

C) users.conf

D) passwd

Answer: B

Explanation:

User authentication is a critical security component in Splunk that controls how users prove their identity before accessing the system. Understanding which configuration files manage authentication settings is essential for implementing secure access controls.

The authentication.conf file manages user authentication settings in Splunk, controlling how users are authenticated and which authentication methods are available. This configuration file allows administrators to configure various authentication schemes including native Splunk authentication, LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) integration, SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) for single sign-on, RADIUS authentication, and custom authentication methods. Through authentication.conf, administrators can define authentication strategies, configure external authentication providers, set authentication order when multiple methods are available, configure session timeouts, and implement multi-factor authentication requirements. This file is crucial for integrating Splunk with enterprise identity management systems and enforcing organizational security policies.

Option A is incorrect because authorize.conf manages authorization rather than authentication. While authentication verifies user identity (who you are), authorization determines what authenticated users are allowed to do (permissions and capabilities). The authorize.conf file defines roles and their associated capabilities, controlling what actions users can perform once they have successfully authenticated.

Option C is incorrect because users.conf stores user account information for native Splunk users, including usernames and role assignments, but does not control the authentication methods themselves. Users.conf is primarily used with native Splunk authentication and contains user-specific settings, but the broader authentication strategy is configured in authentication.conf.

Option D is incorrect because passwd is a file that stores password hashes for native Splunk users, but it does not manage authentication settings or methods. The passwd file is used internally by Splunk for native authentication but does not control authentication policies or external authentication integration.

Properly configuring authentication.conf is essential for enterprise Splunk deployments that need to integrate with existing identity management infrastructure, enforce password policies, and implement secure authentication practices aligned with organizational security requirements.

Question 24: 

What is the main difference between a Universal Forwarder and a Heavy Forwarder?

A) License requirements

B) Heavy Forwarder can parse and index data locally while Universal Forwarder cannot

C) Port numbers used

D) Operating system support

Answer: B

Explanation:

Understanding the different types of forwarders in Splunk and their capabilities is crucial for designing effective data collection architectures. The Heavy Forwarder and Universal Forwarder serve different purposes and have significantly different capabilities.

The main difference between a Heavy Forwarder and a Universal Forwarder is that a Heavy Forwarder can parse and index data locally while the Universal Forwarder cannot. A Heavy Forwarder is essentially a full Splunk Enterprise instance configured to forward data, giving it complete parsing and indexing capabilities. It can parse data, apply transformations, filter events, route data to different destinations based on content, perform heavy processing tasks, and even maintain local indexes if needed. This makes Heavy Forwarders suitable for scenarios requiring data preprocessing, filtering sensitive information before forwarding, or complex routing logic. In contrast, the Universal Forwarder is a streamlined, lightweight agent with minimal processing capabilities that simply collects and forwards raw data to indexers for processing. Universal Forwarders consume minimal system resources but cannot perform parsing, indexing, or complex data manipulations.

Option A is incorrect because both Universal Forwarders and Heavy Forwarders can use free forwarder licenses that do not count against indexing volume limits. Licensing differences are not the primary distinguishing characteristic between these forwarder types, though Heavy Forwarders do consume more system resources which might be a consideration in deployment planning.

Option C is incorrect because both forwarder types can use the same port numbers for data transmission. The default receiving port for indexers is 9997 for both Universal and Heavy Forwarders, though these can be customized. Port configuration is independent of forwarder type and is determined by deployment requirements and network policies.

Option D is incorrect because both Universal Forwarders and Heavy Forwarders support the same broad range of operating systems including various Linux distributions, Windows, macOS, Unix variants, and other platforms. Operating system support is not a differentiating factor between these forwarder types.

Choosing between Universal and Heavy Forwarders depends on use case requirements: Universal Forwarders are preferred for most deployments due to their minimal resource footprint, while Heavy Forwarders are used when local data processing or complex routing is necessary.

Question 25: 

Which command shows Splunk’s current version?

A) splunk version

B) splunk –version

C) splunk show version

D) Both A and B

Answer: D

Explanation:

Knowing the installed Splunk version is important for compatibility verification, upgrade planning, troubleshooting, and determining available features. Splunk provides multiple command-line options for checking version information.

Both “splunk version” and “splunk –version” are valid commands that display Splunk’s current version information. When executed from the $SPLUNK_HOME/bin directory, both commands return similar information including the Splunk version number, build number, and sometimes additional details about the installation. The availability of both command formats provides flexibility for administrators who may be accustomed to different command-line conventions. The “splunk version” syntax follows Splunk’s standard CLI command pattern, while “splunk –version” follows the Unix/Linux convention of using double-dash options for version information. Having both options ensures compatibility with various scripting approaches and administrative workflows.

Option A would be partially correct in isolation since “splunk version” is indeed a valid command, but option D is more complete since it acknowledges that both commands work. Option B alone would also be partially correct for the same reason—it is a valid command but does not acknowledge the alternative syntax.

Option C is incorrect because “splunk show version” is not a valid Splunk command. While some Splunk CLI commands use “show” as a subcommand in specific contexts, “show version” is not recognized syntax for displaying version information. Administrators attempting to use this command would receive an error indicating the command is not recognized.

The version information displayed by these commands is useful for multiple purposes: verifying successful upgrades, confirming compatibility before installing apps or add-ons, troubleshooting issues that may be version-specific, documenting the environment for compliance or audit purposes, and planning upgrade paths. Administrators should document the Splunk versions across their deployment and maintain an upgrade schedule to ensure they benefit from new features, performance improvements, and security patches while maintaining a supported configuration.

Additional version-related information can be obtained through the Splunk Web interface by clicking on the “About” link or examining the Settings menu, but the command-line options provide quick access particularly useful in automated scripts or when working on systems without GUI access.

Question 26: 

What is a Splunk app primarily used for?

A) To extend Splunk functionality for specific use cases

B) To manage Splunk licenses

C) To configure hardware resources

D) To create user accounts

Answer: A

Explanation:

Splunk’s app framework is a fundamental architectural feature that enables extensibility and customization of the platform for diverse use cases. Understanding what apps are and how they function is essential for leveraging Splunk’s full potential.

Splunk apps are primarily used to extend Splunk functionality for specific use cases, providing pre-built content, configurations, and customizations tailored to particular technologies, industries, or analytical scenarios. Apps can contain dashboards, reports, searches, alerts, data inputs, field extractions, custom visualizations, data models, and navigation elements designed for specific purposes. For example, security apps provide security operations center dashboards and threat detection capabilities, IT operations apps offer infrastructure monitoring and troubleshooting tools, and business analytics apps deliver industry-specific metrics and KPIs. Apps create self-contained environments with focused functionality, making it easier for users to accomplish specific tasks without building everything from scratch. The Splunk community and Splunk Inc. provide thousands of apps through Splunkbase, covering use cases from cybersecurity to business intelligence.

Option B is incorrect because managing Splunk licenses is an administrative function handled through built-in Splunk features and the License Master configuration, not through apps. While some apps might display license usage information or provide license monitoring dashboards, license management itself is a core Splunk function independent of the app framework.

Option C is incorrect because configuring hardware resources is an infrastructure and operating system level task, not something managed through Splunk apps. Hardware resource configuration involves system administration activities like allocating CPU, memory, and storage at the OS or virtualization layer. While apps may have resource requirements or recommendations, they do not configure hardware directly.

Option D is incorrect because creating user accounts is accomplished through Splunk’s built-in user management functions accessible through the Splunk Web interface or CLI, not through apps. User account creation, role assignment, and authentication configuration are core administrative functions. While apps can define app-specific permissions and roles, user account creation itself is handled by Splunk’s native user management system.

Apps can be private (developed internally for organization-specific needs), shared (distributed within an organization), or public (available through Splunkbase). Understanding how to install, configure, and customize apps is important for maximizing Splunk’s value.

Question 27: 

Which setting in limits.conf controls maximum search results returned?

A) maxout

B) maxresults

C) maxresultrows

D) max_results

Answer: C

Explanation:

The limits.conf file contains numerous settings that control search behavior, resource usage, and system performance in Splunk. Understanding these limits helps administrators optimize search performance and prevent resource exhaustion.

The maxresultrows setting in limits.conf controls the maximum number of search results that can be returned to a user. This parameter sets an upper boundary on result set size to prevent searches from consuming excessive memory or overwhelming the user interface with unmanageable amounts of data. When a search would return more results than the maxresultrows limit, Splunk truncates the results and displays a warning to the user indicating that not all results are shown. This setting helps maintain system stability by preventing runaway searches from consuming all available resources. The default value can be overridden in different contexts (user-level, app-level, or system-level) according to Splunk’s configuration precedence rules, allowing administrators to set appropriate limits based on user roles or specific app requirements.

Option A is incorrect because maxout is not a valid parameter name in limits.conf for controlling search result volume. While limits.conf contains many “max” parameters for various purposes, maxout is not among the recognized settings for result limitation.

Option B is incorrect because maxresults is not the correct parameter name, though it is close to the actual setting. The precise parameter name matters in Splunk configuration files, and using incorrect parameter names will result in the settings being ignored. Administrators must use the exact parameter names documented in Splunk’s configuration file reference.

Option D is incorrect because max_results (with an underscore) is not the correct parameter name. Splunk’s configuration parameters follow specific naming conventions, and limits.conf uses maxresultrows (no underscores or spaces) as the actual parameter name for controlling maximum search results.

Other important limits.conf settings include subsearch limits, search time ranges, concurrent search limits, and memory usage controls. Administrators should carefully tune these settings based on their environment’s hardware resources, user needs, and performance requirements. Setting limits too low can restrict legitimate analytical activities, while setting them too high can lead to resource contention and system instability.

Question 28: 

What does the Search Factor represent in Index Clustering?

A) Number of searchable copies of data maintained

B) Number of users who can search simultaneously

C) Speed of search execution

D) Number of search heads required

Answer: A

Explanation:

Index clustering introduces several important concepts for data replication and availability, with the Search Factor being a critical parameter that affects both data availability and search performance.

The Search Factor represents the number of searchable copies of data that are maintained across the index cluster. In an index cluster, data exists in two states: searchable (where all necessary index files are complete and search-ready) and non-searchable (where only raw data exists without complete indexes). The Search Factor determines how many fully searchable copies of each bucket exist across the cluster. For example, with a Search Factor of 2, two complete, searchable copies of each bucket are maintained on different peer nodes. This ensures that searches can be distributed across multiple peers and provides redundancy—if one peer fails, searches can still be executed against the searchable copies on other peers. The Search Factor must be less than or equal to the Replication Factor (total copies of data) because some replicated copies may be non-searchable (streaming copies maintained for data protection but without complete indexes).

Option B is incorrect because the Search Factor does not determine the number of concurrent users who can search. User concurrency is managed through search head resources, search quotas, and system capacity planning. While having higher Search Factors can improve search performance by distributing queries across more peers, it does not directly control user concurrency limits.

Option C is incorrect because the Search Factor does not measure search execution speed. Search performance depends on many factors including hardware specifications, query complexity, data volume, search optimization, and cluster resources. While appropriate Search Factor configuration can contribute to better search distribution and performance, it is not itself a measure of search speed.

Option D is incorrect because the Search Factor has no relationship to the number of search heads required. Search head architecture and sizing depend on user load, search complexity, and availability requirements. Index clustering with its Search Factor configuration operates independently from search head architecture, though both contribute to overall system performance and availability.

Typical configurations use a Search Factor of 2 in single-site clusters to balance search performance and resilience, while multisite clusters may use different Search Factors across sites to optimize for disaster recovery and search availability.

Question 29: 

Which configuration controls forwarder connection to indexers?

A) inputs.conf

B) outputs.conf

C) server.conf

D) props.conf

Answer: B

Explanation:

In distributed Splunk deployments, forwarders must know where to send collected data, and this routing configuration is critical for ensuring data reaches the appropriate indexers for processing and storage.

The outputs.conf file controls how forwarders connect to and communicate with indexers, specifying destination indexers, communication protocols, load balancing behavior, and transmission settings. This configuration file is primarily used on Universal Forwarders and Heavy Forwarders to define where data should be sent. Administrators configure outputs.conf to specify indexer IP addresses or hostnames, port numbers (typically 9997), SSL certificate settings for secure transmission, load balancing methods (auto or round-robin), compression settings to optimize network bandwidth, and connection timeout parameters. Multiple indexer targets can be specified for load distribution and failover capability, ensuring data delivery even if some indexers are unavailable. The outputs.conf file is essential for establishing the data flow from source to indexer in distributed Splunk architectures.

Option A is incorrect because inputs.conf defines how data is collected on the forwarder, not where it is sent. The inputs.conf file specifies data sources to monitor such as files, directories, network ports, scripts, or Windows event logs. It controls what data is collected but does not determine the forwarding destination.

Option C is incorrect because server.conf contains general server settings and is not specifically designed for configuring forwarder-to-indexer connections. While server.conf may contain some network-related settings, the specific configuration of data forwarding destinations is handled by outputs.conf, which is purpose-built for this function.

Option D is incorrect because props.conf manages data parsing and processing rules, not forwarding destinations. Props.conf defines how data should be interpreted, including timestamp extraction, line breaking, and source type recognition. It affects how data is processed but not where it is sent.

Properly configuring outputs.conf is essential for reliable data delivery in distributed Splunk environments. Administrators should implement redundant indexer targets, enable SSL encryption for security, and configure appropriate load balancing to ensure even distribution of data across indexers.

Question 30: 

What is the purpose of the _audit index?

A) To store application errors

B) To log user actions and configuration changes

C) To monitor system performance

D) To store forwarder metrics

Answer: B

Explanation:

Splunk maintains several internal indexes for different purposes, with the _audit index serving a critical role in security monitoring, compliance, and administrative oversight.

The _audit index is specifically designed to log user actions and configuration changes within Splunk, creating a comprehensive audit trail of activities performed in the system. This index automatically captures information about user logins and logouts, search activities including queries executed by users, configuration changes such as modifications to users, roles, apps, or system settings, knowledge object creation and modification, access to data, and administrative actions. The _audit index is essential for security investigations, compliance reporting, troubleshooting unauthorized changes, and understanding user behavior patterns. Security teams and compliance officers regularly query the _audit index to detect suspicious activities, verify that proper procedures were followed, and demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements that mandate audit logging.

Option A is incorrect because application errors are typically logged to the _internal index, not _audit. The _internal index contains Splunk’s operational logs including errors, warnings, performance metrics, and system health information. While application-level errors from apps might appear in various indexes depending on configuration, Splunk system errors go to _internal.

Option C is incorrect because system performance monitoring is primarily accomplished through the _internal index and _introspection index. These indexes contain detailed metrics about Splunk’s performance including CPU usage, memory consumption, indexing rates, search performance, and resource utilization. While _audit may indirectly help identify performance issues caused by excessive searches or configuration problems, direct performance monitoring uses other indexes.

Option D is incorrect because forwarder metrics are stored in the _internal index where forwarders log their connection status, data transmission rates, errors, and operational health. The _internal index aggregates metrics from all Splunk components including forwarders, indexers, and search heads. Forwarder-specific monitoring queries target _internal rather than _audit.

Organizations should regularly review _audit index data as part of their security monitoring program, set up alerts for suspicious patterns, and ensure appropriate retention periods for compliance requirements. The _audit index provides invaluable visibility into Splunk usage and changes.