Splunk Enterprise Certified Admin Practice Test

What is the function of a Heavy Forwarder in a Splunk environment?

1. To search indexed data

2. To forward data to indexers

3. To monitor data inputs

4. To manage user access

The correct answer is: To forward data to indexers

The function of a Heavy Forwarder in a Splunk environment is to forward data to indexers. A Heavy Forwarder is designed to handle both data collection and data forwarding with a high level of processing capability. It can perform parsing and indexing before forwarding, allowing for the efficient transfer of data to Splunk indexers. This capability enables it to filter, transform, and route data based on specific configurations, ensuring that the right data reaches the indexers in a timely manner. While other components of a Splunk deployment have their specific roles, such as monitoring data inputs or managing user access, the Heavy Forwarder is uniquely focused on the data forwarding process. It excels in environments where data needs to be processed before it's sent to the indexers, allowing for more efficient resource utilization and better data management.