Splunk Enterprise Certified Admin Practice Test

Which configuration file is critical for instructing a Splunk instance to ingest data?

1. outputs.conf

2. inputs.conf

3. props.conf

4. transforms.conf

The correct answer is: inputs.conf

The inputs.conf file is essential for instructing a Splunk instance on how to ingest data. This configuration file defines the sources of data, including file paths or network ports, and specifies how the data should be processed when it is ingested. It allows administrators to configure various settings for data input types, such as file monitoring, HTTP event collection, and scripted inputs. By defining data sources in inputs.conf, Splunk can begin the process of indexing the incoming data, ensuring that it is captured and available for searching and analysis. Properly configuring this file is crucial for successful data ingestion, as it lays the groundwork for the entire data pipeline in Splunk. The other configuration files serve different roles within the Splunk architecture. For instance, outputs.conf is responsible for directing where indexed data is sent, props.conf is used for data parsing and metadata extraction, and transforms.conf handles data transformation tasks. While all these files play important roles, inputs.conf is specifically dedicated to the initial step of data ingestion.