Splunk Enterprise Certified Admin Practice Test

Which configuration file is commonly used during search time in Splunk?

1. macros.conf

2. props.conf

3. savedsearches.conf

4. inputs.conf

The correct answer is: savedsearches.conf

The configuration file that is commonly used during search time in Splunk is props.conf. This file plays a crucial role in defining how data is indexed and processed by Splunk, particularly in terms of data extraction and transformation at search time. Props.conf enables Splunk to process incoming data according to specific rules, which can include defining field extraction, event breaking, time zone adjustments, and more. This ensures that when users perform searches, the data is correctly interpreted and results are accurate, reflecting the structure and context intended by the data sources. In contrast, other configuration files serve different purposes; for example, savedsearches.conf is primarily used for defining and managing saved searches and alerts, macros.conf is for defining macros to simplify searches, and inputs.conf is responsible for configuring data inputs, determining how data is brought into Splunk rather than how it’s processed during search time. Understanding the distinct functions of these configuration files helps emphasize the important role of props.conf in the search time process.