Splunk Enterprise Certified Admin Practice Test

What type of data inputs can be monitored directly through Splunk?

1. Only database records

2. System logs, files, and network data

3. Third-party APIs

4. Cloud storage files

The correct answer is: System logs, files, and network data

The correct choice highlights the breadth of data types that can be directly monitored within Splunk. Specifically, Splunk is well-suited for ingesting and analyzing system logs, files, and network data, making it a versatile platform for operational intelligence. System logs are critical for performance monitoring and troubleshooting, as they capture events generated by operating systems, applications, and devices. Splunk excels in parsing and indexing these logs, allowing users to perform complex searches and generate insights. Files can refer to a variety of file types including text files, CSVs, JSON, and others, which can contain structured or unstructured data. The ability to monitor and analyze these files in real-time gives organizations the capability to quickly react to emerging issues. Network data encompasses traffic logs and other metrics generated by network devices. Splunk can ingest data from firewalls, routers, and other networking equipment, which helps organizations monitor their security posture and troubleshoot network-related issues. While other options, such as database records, third-party APIs, and cloud storage files, represent types of data inputs, they are not as straightforward for direct monitoring within Splunk. For instance, database records might require additional configurations or specific setups, APIs might need custom inputs, and cloud storage files could involve