Splunk Enterprise Certified Admin Practice Test

Which data input option is only available with a deployment server?

1. index once

2. forward option

3. monitor data

4. upload files

The correct answer is: forward option

The option regarding the forward option is specific to deployment servers in a Splunk environment. Deployment servers are responsible for managing the distribution of configurations, apps, and settings to multiple Splunk instances, which can include forwarders. With a deployment server, administrators can centrally manage how data is forwarded from universal forwarders or heavy forwarders to the indexers, making it easier to configure and optimize data inputs across multiple instances. The forward option signifies that data is sent from one instance to another, typically from forwarders to indexers. This functionality is integral in larger environments where multiple Splunk instances need to be coordinated and can be specifically managed through a deployment server setup. Other options, such as indexing data once or uploading files, are not limited to a deployment server and can be performed in various Splunk configurations. Monitoring data can also be done through several methods without necessitating a deployment server, as it involves simply tracking and indexing files or directories. Thus, the forward option is uniquely tied to the deployment server's role in managing data ingestion across a distributed Splunk architecture.