What Is Splunk? Splunk Key Features and Use Cases

This is a lightweight element that forwards or pushes data from the server into the heavy Splunk forwarder. It can easily be installed on the application side or at the client side. There is a wide variety of needs for which the Splunk search functionalities are used.

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  • Apps can range from simple extensions that provide enhanced visualizations to complex solutions that automate entire workflows and integrate with external systems.
  • I have seen too many environments where an overloaded database server slowed down half the applications in the data center without anyone finding the root cause.
  • The image below will help you relate to how Splunk collects data.
  • Apps and Add-Ons in Splunk are objects packed as SPL files and installed under the etc/apps directory.
  • Also, note how the Apps are categorized in the left bar to help choose the type of App faster.
  • This real-time alerting capability means Splunk can function as a monitoring system for IT operations and security.

After ingesting data, Splunk indexes it, providing plunk ingests the data, it indexes it, providing increased storage and retrieval efficiency. You can then search, filter, and analyze this indexed data using Splunk’s powerful querying language. Splunk technology is used for business and web analytics, application management, compliance, and security. It correlates, captures, and indexes real-time data, from which it creates alerts, dashboards, graphs, reports, and visualizations. Splunk is widely known for its powerful log management and analysis capabilities. It can ingest logs from virtually any source, index them at scale, and make them instantly searchable using its proprietary Search Processing Language (SPL).

The increasing focus on app security and auditing will ensure that Splunk Apps are trusted and reliable components of an organization’s data infrastructure. Real-world examples include generating PCI DSS compliance reports, monitoring patient data for HIPAA compliance, and analyzing financial transactions for SOX compliance. These apps are tailored to meet the specific needs of various industries, providing specialized solutions for their unique challenges and requirements. In essence, Splunk Apps are the key to unlocking the full potential of Splunk, allowing organizations to leverage its power for a wide range of specialized applications. Splunk helps IT teams maintain system reliability by monitoring performance metrics, detecting anomalies, and diagnosing issues. Using its predictive analytics, you can also use Splunk to anticipate potential problems and challenges.

The managing editor for Splunk Learn, Chrissy has covered a variety of tech topics, including cybersecurity, software development, and sustainable technology. She’s particularly interested in how tech intersects with our daily lives. Splunk’s unified platform isn’t just extensible — it’s built to power robust, domain-specific solutions. The search head is a Splunk instance that handles search and search management functions in a distributed search environment. Splunk recently introduced SPL2, a newer version of SPL, designed to support both SPL and SQL syntax.

Offers search, analysis, and visualization capabilities to empower users of all types

There are various free and paid tutorials to help both freshers and seasoned professionals. If you are someone who is only looking to understand whether this field is for you or not, then instead of enrolling directly in a paid course, you can watch any Splunk tutorial online. These tutorials are a great means of understanding whether or not you think this course will help in enhancing your career. There is no dearth of good tutorials around this technology and you can find them easily with a single click. This data platform is known for being highly scalable and easy to implement. Spunk is a leading name that was founded for the very purpose of making sense of the machine-generated data.

Administer Splunk Enterprise with the command line interface (CLI)

Thirdly, they facilitate seamless integration with various technologies and systems, enabling organizations to build comprehensive data-driven solutions. Fourthly, they enhance data visualization and reporting, making complex data more accessible and actionable. Fifthly, they offer automation capabilities, streamlining processes and improving operational efficiency. Finally, the vast ecosystem of Splunkbase provides access to a wide range of solutions, catering to diverse needs and preferences. In essence, Splunk Apps bridge the gap between Splunk’s powerful core functionality and the specific requirements of users, maximizing the platform’s value.

By following these steps, you can easily install Apps and Add-Ons using a .tgz file through the Splunk Web Console. This method provides flexibility when you have already downloaded the package or need to install it on multiple instances without accessing SplunkBase each time. When you install Splunk Enterprise, it comes with a few pre-installed Apps and Add-Ons. These default Apps and Add-Ons can be found in the Splunk Web interface by navigating to the “Apps” section, which is accessible from the main menu. Here, you can view and manage the installed Apps and Add-Ons, as well as explore their functionality and configuration options. With web applications becoming the backbone of business operations, cybersecurity threats are more p…

Features deep dive

what is splunk app

This technique has not improved and this is the bottleneck in most of the processes within organizations. Splunk was born in the early 2000s with a mission to make sense of the overwhelming volume of machine-generated data. Inspired by “spelunking” (exploring caves), the founders envisioned a platform to help businesses dig through their “data caves” and uncover actionable insights.

Apps are designed to address specific use cases or data sources, offering a cohesive and user-friendly experience. Splunk is a scalable, effective, and advanced software platform that indexes and searches the log files that are stored in a system. It analyzes available machine-generated data to offer operational intelligence. One of its key features is that it does not require any database for storing its data because it uses indexes extensively for the same.

what is splunk app

Benefits of Add-on in Splunk Platform:

Effectively navigating Splunkbase is crucial for finding the right app for specific needs. The platform offers various search and filtering options, allowing users to narrow down their search by keywords, categories, ratings, and compatibility. Reading app Black Edge descriptions, user reviews, and ratings is essential for evaluating an app’s suitability and reliability. Splunkbase also provides documentation and support resources for many apps, which can aid in understanding their functionality and installation procedures.

In 2023, Splunk marked its 20th anniversary and announced it would be acquired by Cisco for $28 billion, a deal completed in March 2024​. If you already think Splunk is an awesome tool, then hear me out when I say that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Splunk also features prominently at major industry events, where we demo integrations, share product roadmaps, and connect with users in person.

Splunk is flexible, offering on-premises, cloud, and hybrid setups. With thousands of integrations, tools, and features at your disposal, Splunk requires some technical know-how to get everything running smoothly. A Splunk Enterprise state known as a license slave is controlled by a license master. Within a single instance, the license master helps out as the license manager. A Splunk license is based on organizations’ quantity and usage, which are examined daily. Splunk is particularly noted for its high performance and scalability, as well as the innovative way in which it collects and presents data.

  • With thousands of integrations, tools, and features at your disposal, Splunk requires some technical know-how to get everything running smoothly.
  • You can then search, filter, and analyze this indexed data using Splunk’s powerful querying language.
  • Yes, Splunk supports native integrations with AWS, Azure, GCP, and other SaaS tools.

Wherever you are, we offer ways to learn, ask questions, and explore new use cases. Hey there, I’m trying to create a custom/filtered list of lookups to simplify edits by end users pulling reports. I’ve dug through the docs and can’t find anything, although perhaps I’m missing it in my searches. If a single Splunk server is not enough you just add another one. Incoming data is automatically distributed evenly and searches are directed to all Splunk instances so that speed increases with the number of machines holding data.

They empower organizations to leverage data for competitive advantage, enabling them to make informed decisions and drive business growth. By providing real-time insights into critical operations, Splunk Apps allow organizations to identify and address issues proactively, minimizing downtime and maximizing efficiency. They enhance security posture by enabling rapid threat detection and response, protecting sensitive data and mitigating risks.