Splunk Enterprise Certified Admin Practice Test

Which configuration file is responsible for data ingestion in Splunk?

1. props.conf

2. inputs.conf

3. outputs.conf

4. transforms.conf

The correct answer is: inputs.conf

The configuration file that plays a crucial role in data ingestion in Splunk is inputs.conf. This file is specifically designed to define the data sources from which Splunk will collect data. It contains settings that outline the rules for how data is inputted into the Splunk system, including configurations related to file monitoring, network data sources, and scripted inputs. This file is essential for managing various input methods, such as file and directory monitoring, TCP/UDP data inputs, and other data collection mechanisms. By specifying the type of data to ingest, the paths to the data, and any relevant parameters like time settings or source types, inputs.conf lays the groundwork for successful data collection and plays a pivotal role in the overall ingestion process. In contrast, props.conf is used for specifying data transformations and handling specific data formats, whereas outputs.conf is concerned with defining where to send the collected data after ingestion. transforms.conf deals with transforming data at indexing time and is typically used to modify or route data after it has been inputted. Thus, inputs.conf is the key file specifically addressing data ingestion in Splunk.