Splunk Enterprise Certified Admin Practice Test

What type of inputs are SNMP inputs classified as?

1. File and directory inputs

2. Network event inputs

3. Windows source inputs

4. Other data inputs

The correct answer is: Network event inputs

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) inputs are classified as network event inputs because they are primarily used to collect information over a network. SNMP is designed to facilitate the management and monitoring of networked devices, such as routers, switches, and servers. The data gathered through SNMP inputs includes performance metrics and statuses of these devices, which are transmitted over the network as events. This classification is important for understanding how Splunk ingests and processes data from various sources. SNMP events are generated in response to monitoring requests or via traps from the managed devices, and this information is typically time-sensitive and relates directly to network operations. Other classifications, such as file and directory inputs or Windows source inputs, pertain to different data sources, like log files found in file systems or Windows-specific logs, respectively. The "other data inputs" category is a broader and less standardized classification not specific to SNMP's function and purpose in the context of network management.