Splunk SPLK-1005 Splunk Cloud Certified Admin Exam Practice Test

When monitoring directories containing mixed file types, the sourcetype should typically be overridden in props.conf rather than defined in inputs.conf. This is because sourcetype is meant to classify the type of data being ingested, and when dealing with mixed file types, setting a single sourcetype in inputs.conf would not be effective for accurate data classification. Instead, you can use props.conf to define rules that apply different sourcetypes based on the file path, file name patterns, or other criteria. This allows for more granular and accurate assignment of sourcetypes, ensuring the data is properly parsed and indexed according to its type.

Splunk Cloud Reference: For further clarification, refer to Splunk's official documentation on configuring inputs and props, especially the sections discussing monitoring directories and configuring sourcetypes.

Source:

Splunk Docs: Monitor files and directories

Splunk Docs: Configure event line breaking and input settings with props.conf

Explanation: The forwarder configuration app can be accessed directly through the Splunk Cloud UI in the Universal Forwarder app, which simplifies the deployment process by allowing secure, direct download from the cloud instance. [Reference: Splunk Docs on forwarder setup for Splunk Cloud]

In Splunk, when configuring file and directory monitor inputs, several settings are available that control how data is indexed and processed. These settings are defined in the inputs.conf file. Among the given options:

host: Specifies the hostname associated with the data. It can be set to a static value, or dynamically assigned using settings like host_regex or host_segment.

index: Specifies the index where the data will be stored.

sourcetype: Defines the data type, which helps Splunk to correctly parse and process the data.

TCP_Routing: Used to route data to specific indexers in a distributed environment based on TCP routing rules.

host_regex: Allows you to extract the host from the path or filename using a regular expression.

host_segment: Identifies the segment of the directory structure (path) to use as the host.

Given the options:

Option B is correct because it includes host, index, sourcetype, TCP_Routing, host_regex, and host_segment. These are all valid settings for file and directory monitor inputs in Splunk.

Splunk Documentation References:

Monitor Inputs (inputs.conf)

Host Setting in Inputs

TCP Routing in Inputs

By referring to the Splunk documentation on configuring inputs, it's clear that Option B aligns with the valid settings used for file and directory monitoring, making it the correct choice.

The acceptFrom parameter is used in Splunk to specify which IP addresses or DNS names are allowed to send data to a Splunk instance. The supported formats include IPv4, IPv6, CIDR notation, and DNS names.

B. IPv4, IPv6, CIDRs, DNS names is the correct answer. These are the valid formats that can be used with the acceptFrom argument. Wildcards are not supported in acceptFrom parameters for security reasons, as they would allow overly broad access.

Splunk Documentation References:

acceptFrom Parameter Usage

The correct SEDCMD setting to mask the credit card numbers, ensuring that the masked version replaces each digit with an "x" character, is Option A.

The SEDCMD syntax works as follows:

s/ starts the substitute command.

(?cc_num=\d{7})\d{9}/ matches the specific pattern of the credit card number in the logs.

\1xxxxxxxxx replaces the matched portion with the first captured group (the first 7 digits of the cc_num), followed by 9 "x" characters to mask the remaining digits.

/g ensures that the substitution is applied globally, throughout the string.

Thus, Option A correctly implements this requirement.

Splunk Documentation Reference: SEDCMD for Masking Data

The SHOULD_LINEMERGE setting is used in Splunk to control whether or not multiple lines of an event should be combined into a single event. This setting is configured in the props.conf file, where Splunk handles data parsing and field extraction. Setting SHOULD_LINEMERGE = true merges lines together based on specific rules.

Splunk Documentation Reference: props.conf - SHOULD_LINEMERGE

In a Splunk Cloud environment, the Data Preview feature is used to create and test new sourcetypes. This feature allows you to upload sample data, configure parsing settings, and define sourcetypes interactively without directly editing configuration files like props.conf or using the CLI.

Splunk Documentation Reference: Data Preview

Universal Forwarders can connect directly to Splunk Cloud, and there is no limit on the number of Universal Forwarders that may connect directly to it. This capability allows organizations to scale their data ingestion easily by deploying as many Universal Forwarders as needed without the requirement for intermediate forwarders unless additional data processing, filtering, or load balancing is required.

Splunk Documentation Reference: Forwarding Data to Splunk Cloud

When dealing with a directory containing a mix of file types, it's essential to fine-tune the sourcetypes for different files to ensure accurate data parsing and indexing.

B. On the forwarder collecting the data, leave sourcetype as automatic for the directory monitor. Then create a props.conf that assigns a specific sourcetype by source stanza: This is the correct answer. In this approach, the Universal Forwarder is set up with a directory monitor where the sourcetype is initially left as automatic. Then, a props.conf file is configured to specify different sourcetypes based on the source (filename or path). This ensures that as the data is collected, it is appropriately categorized by sourcetype according to the file type.

Splunk Documentation References:

Configuring Inputs and Sourcetypes

Fine-tuning sourcetypes

Explanation: The _internal index stores logs that are valuable for troubleshooting, including information about system operations, indexers, and search head logs. This index provides insights necessary to diagnose many common issues. [Reference: Splunk Docs on indexes]

In props.conf, valid stanzas can include source types, hosts, and source specifications. The correct syntax uses colons for specific types, such as source types and hosts, but follows a particular format:

A. [sourcetype::linux_secure] is the correct answer. This is a valid stanza format for a source type in props.conf. It indicates that the following configurations apply specifically to the linux_secure source type.

B. [host=nyc25]: Incorrect, the correct format for a host-based stanza uses double colons, not an equal sign.

C. [host::nyc]:* Incorrect, wildcards are not used in this manner within props.conf.

D. [host

]:* Incorrect, the correct format requires double colons for host stanzas.

Splunk Documentation References:

props.conf Specification

Explanation: Placing configuration overrides in the local folder within a custom app allows for easy maintenance and ensures that these overrides are preserved during upgrades, as files in default are overwritten. [Reference: Splunk Docs on configuration file precedence]

The followTail attribute in inputs.conf controls how Splunk processes existing content in a monitored file.

D. Prevents pre-existing content in a file from being ingested: This is the correct answer. When followTail = true is set, Splunk will ignore any pre-existing content in a file and only start monitoring from the end of the file, capturing new data as it is added. This is useful when you want to start monitoring a log file but do not want to index the historical data that might be present in the file.

A. Pauses a file monitor if the queue is full: Incorrect, this is not related to the followTail attribute.

B. Only creates a tail checkpoint of the monitored file: Incorrect, while a tailing checkpoint is created for state tracking, followTail specifically refers to skipping the existing content.

C. Ingests a file starting with new content and then reading older events: Incorrect, followTail does not read older events; it skips them.

Splunk Documentation References:

followTail Attribute Documentation

Monitoring Files

These answers align with Splunk's best practices and available documentation on managing and configuring Splunk environments.

In Splunk, to ingest data from files or directories, the basic configuration in inputs.conf requires at least the following elements:

monitor stanza: Specifies the file or directory to be monitored.

sourcetype: Identifies the format or type of the incoming data, which helps Splunk to correctly parse it.

index: Determines where the data will be stored within Splunk.

The host attribute is optional, as Splunk can auto-assign a host value, but specifying it can be useful in certain scenarios. However, it is not mandatory for data ingestion.

Splunk Cloud Reference: For more details, you can consult the Splunk documentation on inputs.conf file configuration and best practices.

Source:

Splunk Docs: Monitor files and directories

Splunk Docs: Inputs.conf examples

Splunk Cloud Support should be contacted when issues arise that cannot be resolved internally or when problem isolation has been unsuccessful.

C. When unable to resolve issues or perform problem isolation is the correct answer. Splunk Cloud Support is typically involved when internal troubleshooting has been exhausted, and the issue requires expert assistance or deeper investigation. While scripted input troubleshooting might be handled by internal teams, contacting support for unresolved issues is the appropriate step.

Splunk Documentation References:

When to Contact Splunk Support

In Splunk Cloud, data is deleted from an index when the buckets roll to the frozen stage and no archive is defined. When data in a bucket reaches the frozen stage, it is deleted unless a frozen-to-archival script is configured to move the data elsewhere. This process is part of the index lifecycle management in Splunk.

Splunk Documentation Reference: Managing Indexes

Intermediate Forwarders are special types of forwarders that sit between Universal Forwarders and indexers to perform additional processing tasks such as routing, filtering, or load balancing data before it reaches the indexers.

B. All Intermediate Forwarders must be Heavy Forwarders is the correct answer. Heavy Forwarders are the only type of forwarder that can perform the necessary tasks required of an Intermediate Forwarder, such as parsing data, applying transformations, and routing based on specific rules. Universal Forwarders are lightweight and cannot perform these complex tasks, thus cannot serve as Intermediate Forwarders.

Splunk Documentation References:

Intermediate Forwarders

In the context of Splunk, when configuring data inputs to monitor specific directories, the correct syntax must match the directory paths accurately and adhere to the format recognized by Splunk.

Option A: [monitor:///apache/*/logs] - This syntax would attempt to monitor all directories under /apache/ that contain the word logs, which is not what the question is asking. It is incorrect for the paths given in the question.

Option B: [monitor:///apache/foo/logs, /apache/bar/logs, /apache/bar/1/logs] - This syntax correctly lists the specific paths /apache/foo/logs, /apache/bar/logs, and /apache/bar/1/logs separately. This is the correct answer as it precisely matches the paths given in the question.

Option C: [monitor:///apache/.../logs] - The triple dots syntax (...) is used to match any subdirectories under /apache/. This would monitor all logs directories within any subdirectory structure under /apache/, which again, does not specifically match the paths given in the question.

Option D: [monitor:///apache/foo/logs, /apache/bar/logs, and /apache/bar/1/logs] - This syntax includes the word "and", which is not valid in the Splunk monitor stanza. The syntax should list the paths separated by commas, without additional words.

Thus, Option B is the correct syntax to monitor the specified paths in Splunk.

For additional reference, you can check the official Splunk documentation on monitoring inputs which provides guidelines on how to configure monitoring of files and directories.

SEDCMD is a directive used within the props.conf file in Splunk to perform inline data transformations. Specifically, it uses sed-like syntax to modify data as it is being processed.

A. Can only be used to mask or truncate raw data: This is the correct answer because SEDCMD is typically used to mask sensitive data, such as obscuring personally identifiable information (PII) or truncating parts of data to ensure privacy and compliance with security policies. It is not used for more complex transformations such as changing the sourcetype per event.

B. Configured in props.conf and transform.conf: Incorrect, SEDCMD is only configured in props.conf.

C. Can be used to manipulate the sourcetype per event: Incorrect, SEDCMD does not manipulate the sourcetype.

D. Operates on a REGEX pattern match of the source, sourcetype, or host of an event: Incorrect, while SEDCMD uses regex for matching patterns in the data, it does not operate on the source, sourcetype, or host specifically.

Splunk Documentation References:

SEDCMD Usage

Mask Data with SEDCMD

The correct monitor statement to retrieve only files that start with "access" in the directory /opt/log/www2/ is [monitor:///opt/log/www2/access*]. This configuration specifically targets files that begin with the name "access" and will match any such files within that directory, such as "access.log".

Splunk Documentation Reference: Monitor files and directories

In Splunk Cloud, when an app on Splunkbase indicates "Request Install," it means that the app is not available for direct self-service installation and requires intervention from Splunk Support. This could be because the app needs to undergo an additional review for compatibility with the managed cloud environment or because it requires special installation procedures.

In these cases, customers need to contact Splunk Support to request the installation of the app. Support will ensure that the app is properly vetted and compatible with Splunk Cloud before proceeding with the installation.

Splunk Cloud Reference: For further details, consult Splunk’s guidelines on requesting app installations in Splunk Cloud and the processes involved in reviewing and approving apps for use in the cloud environment.

Source:

Splunk Docs: Install apps in Splunk Cloud Platform

Splunkbase: App request procedures for Splunk Cloud

The best approach to meet the requirements of the marketing department is to create a new role that inherits the user role but with restricted access to only the marketing_data index. This setup allows users to perform searches and view dashboards while ensuring they cannot access other indexes such as those containing security or operations data.

Splunk Documentation Reference: Splunk Role-based Access Control

The delete command in Splunk does not remove events from disk but rather marks them as "deleted" in the index. This means the events are not accessible via searches, but they still occupy space on disk. Only users with the can_delete capability (typically admins) can use the delete command.

Splunk Documentation Reference: Delete Command

The recommended approach for setting the host values based on their origin when files from multiple systems are stored on a centralized log server is to use the host_segment setting. This setting allows you to dynamically set the host value based on a specific segment of the file path, which can be particularly useful when organizing logs from different servers into directories.

Splunk Documentation Reference: Inputs.conf - host_segment