Splunk Interview Questions with Answers - Part 2

Splunk Interview Questions and Answers - Part 1

 31.  What is a Splunk app?

Answer: A Splunk app is a pre-built package of configurations, dashboards, and searches that are designed to provide specific functionality within Splunk. Apps can be created by Splunk or by third-party developers, and can be downloaded and installed from the Splunkbase app store. Some common types of Splunk apps include security apps, IT operations apps, and business analytics apps.

32.  How does Splunk handle data security?

Answer: Splunk provides several features for securing data, including role-based access control (RBAC), SSL encryption, and data masking. RBAC allows administrators to control access to Splunk data based on user roles and responsibilities, while SSL encryption ensures that data is transmitted securely between forwarders, indexers, and search heads. Data masking allows sensitive data to be replaced with asterisks or other characters to protect privacy.

33.  What is the Splunk Machine Learning Toolkit?

Answer: The Splunk Machine Learning Toolkit is a premium app that provides machine learning capabilities within the Splunk platform. The app includes pre-built machine learning models for use cases such as anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and fraud detection, as well as tools for creating custom models. The Splunk Machine Learning Toolkit is designed to help organizations extract insights from large and complex data sets.

34.  What is the difference between a Splunk report and a Splunk alert?

Answer: A Splunk report is a saved search that generates a summary of data based on specific criteria, while a Splunk alert is a notification that is triggered when specific conditions are met. Reports can be scheduled to run automatically and can be viewed in Splunk dashboards or exported to other formats, while alerts can be configured to trigger notifications via email, SMS, or other channels.

35.  What is the Splunk Common Information Model?

Answer: The Splunk Common Information Model (CIM) is a standard data model that provides a common framework for organizing data within Splunk. The CIM defines a set of data models for specific types of data, such as security events, network traffic, and system performance. By using the CIM, organizations can ensure that data is organized consistently across different data sources, which can simplify data analysis and reporting.

 

36.  How does Splunk handle log files that are too large to index?

Answer: Splunk provides several features for handling large log files, including data filtering and prioritization, partial indexing, and data summarization. Data filtering and prioritization allow administrators to focus on the most important data by filtering out noise and prioritizing high-priority events. Partial indexing allows administrators to index only the portions of log files that are relevant, while data summarization provides an overview of key data points and trends.

37.  How does Splunk handle data retention?

Answer: Splunk provides several features for managing data retention, including data archiving, data pruning, and data lifecycle management. Data archiving allows administrators to move data to lower-cost storage tiers, while data pruning allows administrators to delete old data that is no longer needed. Data lifecycle management provides a framework for managing data throughout its lifecycle, from initial data ingestion to data deletion.

38.  How does Splunk handle high availability and disaster recovery?

Answer: Splunk provides several features for ensuring high availability and disaster recovery, including search head clustering, indexer clustering, and site replication. Search head clustering allows administrators to distribute search workload across multiple search heads, while indexer clustering allows administrators to distribute indexing workload across multiple indexers. Site replication allows administrators to replicate data between multiple Splunk instances to provide redundancy and disaster recovery.

39.  What is the Splunk Deployment Server?

Answer: The Splunk Deployment Server is a feature that allows administrators to manage Splunk configurations across multiple instances. The Deployment Server provides a centralized location for storing configuration files and allows administrators to deploy configurations to multiple instances simultaneously. This can simplify the process of managing Splunk configurations in large and complex environments.

40.  What is the Splunk REST API?

Answer: The Splunk REST API is a web service that allows administrators and developers to programmatically access and interact with Splunk data and configurations. The REST API provides a standard set of endpoints for performing tasks such as searching data, creating alerts, and managing configurations. The REST API can be used to integrate Splunk with other systems and applications, and can be accessed using a variety of programming languages and tools.

 

41.  What is the difference between a search head and an indexer?

Answer: A search head is a Splunk instance that runs searches and presents search results to users. An indexer is a Splunk instance that indexes data and stores it in an index for later searching. While both search heads and indexers can be part of a Splunk deployment, they perform different roles and have different responsibilities.

42.  What is the difference between a hot, warm, and cold bucket in Splunk?

Answer: In Splunk, data is stored in buckets, which are self-contained units of indexed data. Hot buckets contain data that has been recently indexed and is actively being searched. Warm buckets contain data that is no longer being actively indexed but is still searchable. Cold buckets contain older data that has been indexed and is no longer being actively searched.

43.  What is the Splunk Common Information Model (CIM)?

Answer: The Splunk Common Information Model (CIM) is a standardized framework for organizing and normalizing data in Splunk. The CIM defines a common set of data models, tags, and field names that can be used to describe data from different sources in a consistent way. The CIM can help streamline the process of searching and analyzing data by providing a common vocabulary for data analysis.

44.  What is Splunk App?

Answer: A Splunk App is a pre-built package of configurations, dashboards, and reports that can be installed into a Splunk instance to provide additional functionality. Splunk Apps can be created by Splunk or by third-party developers and can be used to extend the functionality of Splunk for specific use cases. Examples of Splunk Apps include security analytics, network monitoring, and IT service management.

45.  What is the Splunk SDK?

Answer: The Splunk SDK is a collection of libraries and APIs that can be used to develop custom applications that interact with Splunk data and configurations. The SDK provides a variety of programming language bindings, including Python, Java, and .NET. The SDK can be used to build custom applications, integrations, and automation workflows that leverage the power of Splunk.

 

46.  What is the purpose of Splunk Add-ons?

Answer: Splunk Add-ons are pre-built packages that can be installed into a Splunk instance to support data inputs, field extractions, and event processing for specific data sources. Add-ons can be developed by Splunk or by third-party developers and can be used to support a wide variety of data sources, such as web servers, databases, and cloud services. Add-ons can help streamline the process of onboarding data into Splunk by providing pre-configured inputs and extractions for specific data sources.

47.  What is the difference between a data model and a data set in Splunk?

Answer: A data model is a collection of data objects and relationships that are used to organize and analyze data in Splunk. A data set is a specific instance of data that conforms to a particular data model. In other words, a data model is a high-level representation of data relationships, while a data set is a concrete representation of data that can be searched and analyzed.

48.  How can you optimize search performance in Splunk?

Answer: There are several strategies for optimizing search performance in Splunk, including:

· Restricting the time range of the search to minimize the amount of data that needs to be searched

· Using specific search terms or field values to filter out irrelevant data

· Using summary indexing to pre-compute results for frequently used searches

· Adjusting search job settings, such as the concurrency level and priority, to optimize performance

· Using distributed search to distribute the workload across multiple indexers and search heads

 

49.  What is a Splunk lookup table?

Answer: A Splunk lookup table is a file that contains a set of key-value pairs that can be used to augment or enrich search results. Lookup tables can be used to map data from one field to another, to add new fields to search results, or to enrich search results with additional information. Lookup tables can be created manually or imported from external sources, such as databases or CSV files.

50.  What is the difference between a search-time field extraction and a index-time field extraction in Splunk?

Answer: A search-time field extraction is a process that extracts fields from event data at search time, using regular expressions or other search-time processing techniques. A index-time field extraction is a process that extracts fields from event data at index time, before the data is stored in the Splunk index. Search-time field extractions are more flexible and can be applied to data after it has been indexed, while index-time field extractions are more efficient and can improve search performance by pre-extracting fields before searching.

 

51.  What is a Splunk forwarder?

Answer: A Splunk forwarder is a software component that collects data from local or remote sources and forwards it to a Splunk indexer for indexing and analysis. Forwarders can be installed on a variety of systems and devices, such as servers, workstations, network devices, and IoT devices, and can be configured to collect data using a variety of input methods, such as files, directories, network protocols, and APIs.

52.  What is the purpose of the Splunk Deployment Server?

Answer: The Splunk Deployment Server is a component of the Splunk Enterprise system that is used to manage and distribute configuration files and apps to multiple Splunk instances. The Deployment Server allows administrators to centrally manage configurations and enforce consistency across multiple environments, such as development, staging, and production. The Deployment Server can be used to manage configurations for forwarders, indexers, search heads, and other Splunk components.

53.  How can you monitor Splunk performance?

Answer: There are several tools and techniques that can be used to monitor Splunk performance, including:

· Using the Splunk Monitoring Console to view real-time performance metrics and logs

· Setting up alerts and notifications for specific performance thresholds or events

· Using performance monitoring tools and dashboards, such as Splunk App for Infrastructure or Splunk ITSI

· Tuning system settings, such as heap size, thread count, and disk I/O, to optimize performance

· Monitoring hardware and network resources, such as CPU, memory, disk usage, and network bandwidth, to ensure that they are not causing bottlenecks or failures.

 

54.  What is the Splunk Common Information Model (CIM)?

Answer: The Splunk Common Information Model (CIM) is a set of data models and field mappings that provide a standardized way of organizing and analyzing data in Splunk. The CIM provides a common language and framework for describing data from different sources, such as security events, network traffic, and system logs, and allows users to correlate and analyze data across multiple data sources. The CIM includes pre-built data models for common data sources, such as Windows Event Logs and Cisco ASA Firewall logs, and can be extended or customized to support additional data sources.

55.  What is the difference between a Splunk app and a Splunk add-on?

Answer: A Splunk app is a package that contains one or more dashboards, reports, alerts, and other objects that provide a specific functionality or use case in Splunk, such as security monitoring, IT operations, or compliance reporting. An app can be installed into a Splunk instance to extend its capabilities and provide additional functionality. A Splunk add-on, as described earlier, is a pre-built package that can be installed into a Splunk instance to support data inputs, field extractions, and event processing for specific data sources.

 

56.  What is a Splunk lookup table?

Answer: A Splunk lookup table is a file that contains key-value pairs that can be used to enrich or modify data during the indexing process. Lookup tables can be used to replace or add fields to events, or to perform calculations or transformations on fields based on the values in the lookup table. Splunk supports several types of lookup tables, including CSV files, KV stores, and external databases.

57.  What is Splunk KV store?

Answer: The Splunk KV store is a NoSQL database that is built into Splunk and provides a way to store and retrieve key-value pairs that can be used to enrich and modify data during the indexing process. KV store tables can be created and managed using the Splunk Web UI or the REST API, and can be used in conjunction with other Splunk features, such as lookups, dashboards, and alerts. KV store tables are typically used to store configuration data or reference data that is used to enrich events, such as IP address to hostname mappings or user roles and permissions.

58.  How can you optimize Splunk searches?

Answer: There are several techniques that can be used to optimize Splunk searches and improve search performance, including:

· Restricting search time ranges to reduce the amount of data that needs to be processed

· Using search filters and search commands to limit the scope of the search

· Using summary indexing to pre-calculate and store results for common searches

· Tuning Splunk settings, such as search concurrency, queue size, and scheduler priority, to optimize resource allocation and search performance

· Using search job inspector and other monitoring tools to identify and troubleshoot performance issues.

 

59.  What is Splunk Enterprise Security?

Answer: Splunk Enterprise Security is a premium app for Splunk that provides advanced security monitoring, threat detection, and incident response capabilities. Enterprise Security includes pre-built data models, dashboards, and reports for common security use cases, such as threat intelligence, network security, and user behavior analytics. The app also includes a range of advanced features, such as correlation searches, threat feeds, machine learning models, and workflow automation tools, that help organizations detect and respond to security threats in real-time.

60.  How can you secure Splunk data and infrastructure?

Answer: There are several best practices and techniques that can be used to secure Splunk data and infrastructure, including:

· Using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication to protect user accounts

· Restricting access to Splunk data and functionality based on user roles and permissions

· Encrypting data in transit and at rest using SSL/TLS and disk encryption

· Monitoring and auditing user activity using Splunk logging and monitoring features

· Keeping Splunk and its components up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates

· Using network segmentation and firewalls to limit access to Splunk infrastructure from external networks.

 

61.  What is a Splunk dashboard?

Answer: A Splunk dashboard is a customizable interface that displays data from one or more searches in a visual format, such as charts, tables, and gauges. Dashboards can be created and edited using the Splunk Web UI or by writing XML code, and can be shared with other users or teams. Splunk dashboards are a powerful way to quickly visualize and analyze data, and can be used for a wide range of use cases, such as IT operations, security monitoring, and business analytics.

62.  What is a Splunk app?

Answer: A Splunk app is a collection of dashboards, reports, configurations, and other objects that are designed to address a specific use case or business need. Splunk apps can be downloaded from the Splunkbase app store or created by users or developers, and can be customized and extended to meet specific requirements. Apps are a powerful way to extend the functionality of Splunk and provide tailored solutions for specific use cases, such as network security, application performance monitoring, or compliance reporting.

63.  What is Splunk Machine Learning Toolkit?

Answer: The Splunk Machine Learning Toolkit is an app for Splunk that provides machine learning algorithms and techniques that can be used to analyze and model data in Splunk. The toolkit includes a range of supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms, such as decision trees, clustering, and anomaly detection, that can be used to identify patterns, predict outcomes, and classify events in Splunk. The toolkit also includes workflows and templates for common machine learning use cases, such as IT operations, security monitoring, and business analytics.

64.  What is the Splunk Add-on Builder?

Answer: The Splunk Add-on Builder is a tool that allows users and developers to create custom add-ons for Splunk. Add-ons are used to collect and normalize data from external sources, such as APIs, syslog servers, or databases, and make that data searchable and analyzable in Splunk. The Add-on Builder provides a graphical interface for creating and configuring add-ons, and includes templates and wizards for common data collection use cases.

65.  What is the difference between Splunk Universal Forwarder and Heavy Forwarder?

Answer: The Splunk Universal Forwarder is a lightweight data collection agent that is installed on source machines to collect and forward data to a Splunk indexer or forwarder. The Universal Forwarder is designed to be simple to install and configure, and is intended for use in environments where minimal overhead and resource usage are required.

The Splunk Heavy Forwarder, on the other hand, is a more powerful data collection and routing agent that is installed on intermediate machines to perform more complex data processing and forwarding tasks. Heavy Forwarders can perform data parsing, filtering, and transformation, and can forward data to multiple indexers or forwarders based on custom routing rules. Heavy Forwarders are typically used in more complex environments where data routing and processing are critical to the overall data pipeline.