Splunk Enterprise Certified Admin Practice Test

Where are the logs of a Splunk forwarder automatically sent?

1. /_logs

2. /var/log/splunk

3. _internal

4. /_audit

The correct answer is: _internal

The logs of a Splunk forwarder are automatically sent to the _internal index. This index is specifically designed to store logs that are generated by Splunk's internal processes, including the operation of the forwarders. The _internal index retains various types of operational data, allowing administrators to monitor Splunk's performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure correct functioning. The _internal index is a fundamental component of Splunk's architecture as it aggregates logs from different sources within Splunk itself, providing a centralized view of operational metrics and events. This helps in analyzing the health and status of the Splunk environment and its components. The other locations mentioned, such as "/_logs," "/var/log/splunk," and "/_audit," serve different purposes. "/_logs" is not a valid directory used by Splunk, "/var/log/splunk" is typically a system-level path where log files may reside on the server but are not the destination for forwarder logs, and "/_audit" is used for storing audit logs related to user activity and not the forwarder's operational logs. The distinction in functionality allows for effective log management and monitoring in the Splunk ecosystem.