Splunk is a leading platform for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing machine-generated data. It helps organizations gain valuable insights from their data, enabling them to make informed business decisions, improve security, and optimize performance. The Splunk Core Certified User certification is an entry-level certification that validates your foundational knowledge of Splunk. Preparing for any certification exam can be challenging, and the Splunk Core Certified User (SPLK-1001) exam is no exception. It requires a solid understanding of Splunk concepts, features, and functionalities. By practicing with these free questions, you can gauge your proficiency in various areas tested in the exam and identify areas that need further improvement.
In this blog, we have carefully curated a set of questions covering a wide range of topics, including Splunk search techniques, data input and parsing, knowledge objects, field extraction, and more. Each question is designed to test your knowledge and problem-solving skills in a format similar to what you’ll encounter in the actual exam. Let’s get started with the Splunk Core Certified User (SPLK-1001) Free Sample Questions.
Splunk Component Basics
The Splunk Basics domain focuses on fundamental concepts and features of Splunk. It covers the basic functionalities of Splunk, including data input, indexing, searching, and visualizing data. Understanding these foundational aspects is crucial for effectively using Splunk and gaining valuable insights from machine-generated data.
Question 1: Which component of Splunk is responsible for ingesting data from various sources?
A) Indexer
B) Search Head
C) Forwarder
D) Deployment Server
Answer: C) Forwarder
Explanation: The forwarder is responsible for collecting and forwarding data from various sources to the Splunk indexer. It can collect data from files, network streams, APIs, and other sources and send it to the indexer for processing and indexing.
Question 2: Which Splunk component is responsible for indexing and storing data?
A) Indexer
B) Search Head
C) Forwarder
D) Deployment Server
Answer: A) Indexer
Explanation: The indexer is the component in Splunk that receives data from forwarders, processes it, and stores it in indexes. It performs indexing operations to make the data searchable and ready for analysis.
Question 3: Which search command in Splunk is used to retrieve events that match a specific condition?
A) index
B) eval
C) search
D) stats
Answer: C) search
Explanation: The search command in Splunk is used to retrieve events that match a specific condition or criteria. It allows you to search through indexed data using keywords, Boolean operators, field names, and other search modifiers.
Question 4: Which visualization component in Splunk is used to create graphical representations of data?
A) Reports
B) Dashboards
C) Alerts
D) Field Extractors
Answer: B) Dashboards
Explanation: Dashboards in Splunk are used to create graphical representations of data. They allow you to organize and display various visual components, such as charts, tables, and panels, to provide a consolidated view of important metrics and trends.
Question 5: Which Splunk feature allows you to define custom fields by extracting data from events?
A) Indexes
B) Source types
C) Field Extractors
D) Knowledge Objects
Answer: C) Field Extractors
Explanation: Field Extractors in Splunk allow you to define custom fields by extracting data from events. They help in extracting structured information from unstructured data, making it easier to analyze and search specific fields within the events.
Basic Searching Techniques
The Basic Searching domain focuses on fundamental concepts and techniques related to searching in Splunk. It covers the syntax, functions, and operators used in search queries, as well as the use of wildcards, time modifiers, and field-value searching. Understanding how to construct effective search queries is essential for retrieving and analyzing data in Splunk.
Question 1: Which of the following search queries will retrieve events where the “status” field is either “success” or “failure”?
A) status=success OR failure
B) status=”success” OR “failure”
C) status=(“success” OR “failure”)
D) status IN (“success”, “failure”)
Answer: D) status IN (“success”, “failure”)
Explanation: The IN operator is used to match field values against a list of values. In this case, the query will retrieve events where the “status” field has a value of either “success” or “failure”.
Question 2: You want to search for events that contain the word “error” in the “message” field but exclude events that also contain the word “warning”. Which search query should you use?
A) message=”error” AND NOT message=”warning”
B) message=”error” OR NOT message=”warning”
C) message=”error” AND message!=”warning”
D) message=”error” OR message!=”warning”
Answer: A) message=”error” AND NOT message=”warning”
Explanation: The query “AND NOT” allows you to exclude specific terms from your search results. In this case, the query will retrieve events that contain the word “error” in the “message” field while excluding events that also contain the word “warning”.
Question 3: You want to search for events where the “response_code” field starts with “2” and the “path” field ends with “.html”. Which search query should you use?
A) response_code=2* AND path=.html
B) response_code=2? AND path=html
C) response_code=”2″ AND path=”.html”
D) response_code=”2?” AND path=”*html”
Answer: A) response_code=2* AND path=*.html
Explanation: The “” wildcard is used to match any number of characters, so “2” will match values that start with “2”. Similarly, “*.html” will match values that end with “.html”. By combining these conditions with the “AND” operator, you can search for events that satisfy both criteria.
Question 4: You want to search for events that occurred between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM on July 1, 2023. Which search query should you use?
A) time=”2023-07-01 09:00:00″ TO “2023-07-01 17:00:00”
B) time>=”2023-07-01 09:00:00″ AND time<=”2023-07-01 17:00:00″
C) time>=09:00:00 AND time<=17:00:00 ON 2023-07-01
D) time BETWEEN “2023-07-01 09:00:00” AND “2023-07-01 17:00:00”
Answer: B) time>=”2023-07-01 09:00:00″ AND time<=”2023-07-01 17:00:00″
Explanation: The “time” field in Splunk can be compared using comparison operators. In this case, the query will retrieve events that occurred between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM on July 1, 2023, by specifying the range using the “AND” operator.
Question 5: You want to search for events where the “status” field is not empty. Which search query should you use?
A) status=*
B) status!=””
C) status IS NOT NULL
D) status EXISTS
Answer: D) status EXISTS
Explanation: The EXISTS operator is used to check if a field exists in an event. By using the “status EXISTS” query, you can retrieve events where the “status” field is not empty, regardless of its specific value.
Using Fields in Searches
The “Using Fields in Searches” domain focuses on the ability to create and manipulate fields in Splunk searches effectively. It tests your understanding of field extraction, field transformations, field aliases, and field calculations. This domain is essential for leveraging the full power of Splunk’s search capabilities and extracting valuable insights from your data.
Question 1: Which command is used to create a calculated field in Splunk?
a) eval
b) fields
c) rex
d) inputlookup
Answer: a) eval
Explanation: The eval command in Splunk is used to create calculated fields or modify existing fields. It allows you to perform mathematical operations, string manipulations, conditional statements, and more on your data.
Question 2: You want to extract a field called “Username” from the event data. The field “Username” appears as “User: John” in the events. Which regular expression (regex) would you use for field extraction?
a) | rex field=User:.*
b) | rex field=User:\s*(?<Username>.)
c) | rex field=Username:\s(?P<Username>.)
d) | rex field=User:\s(?Username>.*)
Answer: b) | rex field=User:\s*(?<Username>.*)
Explanation: The correct regular expression (regex) for field extraction in this scenario is option b. It uses the (?<Username>.*) syntax to capture the value after “User:” and assign it to the field “Username” in Splunk.
Question 3: You have a field called “duration” that represents time in milliseconds. Which Splunk function can be used to convert milliseconds to seconds?
a) floor
b) round
c) convert
d) eval
Answer: c) convert
Explanation: The convert function in Splunk is used to convert field values from one unit to another. In this scenario, you can use | convert ctime(duration/1000) to convert the “duration” field from milliseconds to seconds.
Question 4: You want to search for events that contain either “error” or “warning” in a specific field called “log_level.” Which search syntax would you use?
a) log_level=error OR log_level=warning
b) log_level=”error” OR “warning”
c) log_level IN (error, warning)
d) log_level=”error” OR log_level=”warning”
Answer: d) log_level=”error” OR log_level=”warning”
Explanation: To search for events that contain either “error” or “warning” in the “log_level” field, you need to use the OR operator explicitly and specify the field for each condition. Therefore, option d is the correct syntax.
Question 4: You want to create an alias for a field called “source_host” as “hostname.” Which command would you use?
a) fields -alias source_host as hostname
b) fields -rename source_host as hostname
c) rename source_host as hostname
d) eval source_host AS hostname
Answer: b) fields -rename source_host as hostname
Explanation: The fields command in Splunk is used to manage fields, and the -rename option is used to create an alias for a field. Therefore, the correct command to create an alias for “source_host” as “hostname” is fields -rename source_host as hostname.
Search Language Fundamentals
Search Language Fundamentals is an essential domain in Splunk Core Certified User (SPLK-1001) certification exam, accounting for 15% of the total exam content. This domain focuses on evaluating the candidate’s understanding of the fundamental concepts and syntax of the Splunk Search Language. Proficiency in this area is crucial for effectively searching, analyzing, and extracting insights from data in Splunk.
Question 1: Which of the following commands is used to retrieve events matching a specific condition in Splunk?
a) inputlookup
b) search
c) rename
d) outputlookup
Answer: b) search
Explanation: The “search” command is used to retrieve events that match specific conditions in Splunk. It allows you to filter and search through data based on various criteria, such as keywords, field values, time ranges, and logical operators.
Question 2: Which operator is used to specify an exact phrase match in a search query?
a) AND
b) OR
c) NOT
d) “”
Answer: d) “”
Explanation: The double quotation marks (“” or “”) are used in a search query to specify an exact phrase match. When you enclose a phrase within double quotation marks, Splunk will search for that exact phrase within the data.
Question 3: What is the purpose of the “stats” command in Splunk?
a) It calculates statistics and aggregates results based on specified fields.
b) It performs time-based filtering on events.
c) It renames fields in the search results.
d) It extracts fields from events and creates new fields.
Answer: a) It calculates statistics and aggregates results based on specified fields.
Explanation: The “stats” command in Splunk is used to calculate statistics and aggregate results based on specified fields. It allows you to perform calculations such as count, sum, average, minimum, maximum, and more on specific fields in your search results.
Question 5: Which command is used to sort the search results based on a specified field?
a) top
b) sort
c) table
d) chart
Answer: b) sort
Explanation: The “sort” command in Splunk is used to sort the search results based on a specified field. It allows you to arrange the events in ascending or descending order based on the values of the chosen field.
Question 5: Which search command is used to limit the number of events returned by a search?
a) head
b) tail
c) limit
d) top
Answer: a) head
Explanation: The “head” command in Splunk is used to limit the number of events returned by a search. By specifying a numeric value with the “head” command, you can restrict the search results to only display a certain number of events from the beginning of the results set.
Using Basic Transforming Commands
The “Using Basic Transforming Commands” domain in Splunk Core Certified User (SPLK-1001) focuses on the fundamental transforming commands used in Splunk to manipulate and transform data. These commands play a crucial role in extracting valuable insights from raw data and performing data analysis in Splunk.
Transforming commands enable users to refine and shape their data, filter and sort events, calculate statistics and metrics, create new fields, and perform various data transformations. Understanding and effectively using these commands is essential for leveraging the power of Splunk and deriving meaningful information from your data.
Question 1: Which Splunk command is used to limit the number of results returned by a search?
a) eval
b) where
c) top
d) limit
Answer: d) limit
Explanation: The “limit” command is used in Splunk to restrict the number of search results returned. It helps control the volume of data displayed and enhances search performance by reducing the data set.
Question 2: In Splunk, which command is used to sort search results in ascending order based on a specific field?
a) sort
b) top
c) stats
d) order
Answer: a) sort
Explanation: The “sort” command is used to arrange search results in either ascending or descending order based on one or more fields. It helps organize data for better analysis and presentation.
Question 3: You want to extract the value of a specific field from a search result and assign it to a new field. Which Splunk command should you use?
a) fields
b) eval
c) rename
d) dedup
Answer: b) eval
Explanation: The “eval” command in Splunk is used to evaluate an expression or manipulate field values. It allows you to create new fields, perform calculations, extract values from existing fields, and assign them to new fields.
Question 4: Which Splunk command is used to calculate the average value of a numeric field?
a) sum
b) avg
c) stats
d) eval
Answer: b) avg
Explanation: The “avg” command is used in Splunk to calculate the average value of a numeric field. It is commonly used in statistical analysis and provides insights into the central tendency of the data.
Question 5: You want to extract unique values from a specific field in Splunk. Which command should you use?
a) uniq
b) distinct
c) dedup
d) values
Answer: d) values
Explanation: The “values” command is used in Splunk to extract unique values from a field. It returns a list of distinct values found in the specified field, allowing you to analyze unique occurrences or perform further operations on specific values.
Creating Reports and Dashboards
The “Creating Reports and Dashboards” domain in Splunk focuses on your ability to design and build reports and dashboards using Splunk’s visualization features. This domain evaluates your proficiency in leveraging Splunk’s search language, understanding data models, and effectively presenting data insights through reports and dashboards. It tests your skills in creating dynamic visualizations, applying filters and drilldowns, and customizing the layout and appearance of reports and dashboards.
Question 1: Which Splunk feature allows you to create a dashboard panel that displays the count of events over time for a specific field value?
a) Drilldowns
b) Timechart
c) Chart overlay
d) Field picker
Answer: b) Timechart
Explanation: The Timechart command in Splunk enables you to create time-based charts, such as line charts, that display the count of events over time. By specifying a specific field value in the search, you can visualize the count of events for that value over a specified time range.
Question 2: You want to create a report that shows the top 5 users with the highest number of failed login attempts. Which Splunk command should you use?
a) stats count by user
b) top 5 user field=failed
c) table user limit=5 sort=-failed
d) chart count by user sort=-failed limit=5
Answer: d) chart count by user sort=-failed limit=5
Explanation: To create a report showing the top 5 users with the highest number of failed login attempts, you can use the chart command in combination with the count and sort options. By specifying “count by user” and “sort=-failed,” you can display the user field values sorted in descending order based on the failed field. Adding “limit=5” ensures that only the top 5 results are displayed.
Question 3: You have created a dashboard panel that visualizes server performance metrics. You want to allow users to click on a specific server in the panel and drill down to a detailed view of that server’s performance. Which Splunk feature should you use?
a) Drilldowns
b) Inputlookup
c) Field aliases
d) Report acceleration
Answer: a) Drilldowns
Explanation: Splunk’s drilldown feature allows you to create interactive dashboards. By configuring drilldowns, you can define actions that occur when a user clicks on a specific element, such as a server, in a dashboard panel. In this scenario, you would configure a drilldown to navigate to a detailed view of the selected server’s performance when clicked.
Question 4: You want to create a report that shows the average response time for a web application, segmented by different browser types. Which Splunk command should you use?
a) stats avg(response_time) by browser
b) chart avg(response_time) by browser
c) table response_time by browser
d) timechart avg(response_time) by browser
Answer: a) stats avg(response_time) by browser
Explanation: The stats command in Splunk is used to calculate statistical values, such as averages, for specified fields. In this case, you would use “avg(response_time) by browser” to calculate the average response time segmented by different browser types. This command provides a tabular output of the average response time for each browser.
Question 5: You have created a dashboard panel that displays the number of sales transactions by region. You want to add a filter to the panel that allows users to select a specific region and update the panel accordingly. Which Splunk input option should you use?
a) time range picker
b) dropdown
c) checkbox
d) radio
Answer: b) dropdown
Explanation: To add a filter to the dashboard panel that allows users to select a specific region, you would use a dropdown input option. The dropdown input allows users to select a value from a predefined list, in this case, the regions. Once a region is selected, the panel will update to display the number of sales transactions for the chosen region.
Creating and Using Lookups
This domain focuses on the creation and utilization of lookups in Splunk. Lookups are external tables or files that can be used to enrich or modify data during the indexing or search process. Understanding how to create, manage, and effectively use lookups is crucial for maximizing the value and insights gained from Splunk.
Question 1: Which command is used to create a lookup table in Splunk?
a) inputlookup
b) outputlookup
c) evallookup
d) createlookup
Answer: b) outputlookup
Explanation: The correct command to create a lookup table in Splunk is the “outputlookup” command. This command allows you to output the results of a search into a lookup table. It is typically used in conjunction with other commands to extract specific fields or filter data before storing it in the lookup table.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a lookup definition file in Splunk?
a) To define the structure and fields of a lookup table.
b) To specify the search query for a lookup table.
c) To store lookup values in a separate file.
d) To define the permissions and access controls for a lookup table.
Answer: a) To define the structure and fields of a lookup table.
Explanation: A lookup definition file in Splunk is used to define the structure and fields of a lookup table. It specifies the columns and data types of the lookup table, allowing Splunk to properly interpret and use the data during searches and lookups.
Question 3: Which command is used to perform a lookup in Splunk?
a) inputlookup
b) outputlookup
c) evallookup
d) searchlookup
Answer: a) inputlookup
Explanation: The “inputlookup” command is used to perform a lookup in Splunk. This command allows you to search and retrieve data from an existing lookup table. You can use the retrieved data for enrichment or filtering purposes within your search.
Question 4: How can you associate a lookup table with your data during the indexing process in Splunk?
a) By configuring props.conf and transforms.conf.
b) By using the append command in a search pipeline.
c) By applying field extractions to the lookup table.
d) By defining a lookup definition file.
Answer: a) By configuring props.conf and transforms.conf.
Explanation: To associate a lookup table with your data during the indexing process in Splunk, you need to configure props.conf and transforms.conf. These configuration files allow you to define rules that specify which lookup table to use based on specific criteria, such as sourcetype or source. The lookup table is then applied to the indexed data automatically.
Question 5: What is the purpose of the “output” option in the lookup command?
a) To create a new lookup table from search results.
b) To append lookup results to the events being searched.
c) To overwrite the existing lookup table with new data.
d) To display the lookup results without modifying the data.
Answer: b) To append lookup results to the events being searched.
Explanation: The “output” option in the lookup command is used to append lookup results to the events being searched. By using this option, you can enrich your search results with the lookup data without modifying the original events. It allows you to combine the fields from the lookup table with the fields in the search results for further analysis and correlation.
Creating Scheduled Reports and alerts
The domain of Creating Scheduled Reports and Alerts focuses on the ability to configure and manage scheduled reports and alerts in Splunk. It involves understanding how to create reports, set up scheduled jobs, and configure alert actions to proactively monitor and respond to events within the Splunk environment. This knowledge is crucial for effectively leveraging Splunk’s capabilities in automating data analysis and generating timely insights.
Question 1: What is the purpose of using a cron schedule for a scheduled report in Splunk?
a) To specify the time zone for the report
b) To define the search string for the report
c) To schedule the report to run at specific time intervals
d) To enable real-time monitoring for the report
Answer: c) To schedule the report to run at specific time intervals
Explanation: A cron schedule is used in Splunk to define the specific time intervals at which a scheduled report should run. It allows you to set up a recurring schedule based on specific minutes, hours, days, or other time-based criteria.
Question 2: Which action can be configured when creating an alert in Splunk?
a) Send an email notification
b) Generate a PDF report
c) Trigger a script execution
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: When creating an alert in Splunk, you can configure multiple actions to be performed when the alert condition is met. These actions may include sending email notifications, generating PDF reports, triggering script executions, or performing other custom actions.
Question 3: What is the purpose of the “Time Range” field when configuring a scheduled report in Splunk?
a) To define the retention period for the report data
b) To specify the index where the report data is stored
c) To limit the time range of data considered in the report search
d) To determine the user roles with access to the report
Answer: c) To limit the time range of data considered in the report search
Explanation: The “Time Range” field in a scheduled report configuration allows you to specify the time range of data that should be considered in the report search. By setting the appropriate time range, you can focus the report on specific data within a given timeframe.
Question 4: How can you create a scheduled report in Splunk?
a) Using the Splunk Web interface
b) Writing a custom Python script
c) Sending a request to Splunk’s REST API
d) Only through command-line interface (CLI)
Answer: a) Using the Splunk Web interface
Explanation: Splunk provides a user-friendly web interface that allows you to create and configure scheduled reports without requiring any scripting or programming knowledge. The web interface provides a visual and intuitive way to define the report parameters, schedule, and actions.
Question 5: Which Splunk role is typically required to create and manage scheduled reports and alerts?
a) Power User
b) Admin
c) User
d) Monitor
Answer: b) Admin
Explanation: The ability to create and manage scheduled reports and alerts is usually granted to users with administrative privileges in Splunk. The Admin role provides the necessary permissions and access to configure and maintain scheduled jobs, alerts, and related settings.
Expert Corner
Our primary aim in creating this blog was to assist aspiring Splunk Core Certified Users in their exam preparation by offering a collection of free practice questions. We understand the importance of hands-on experience and a solid foundation in Splunk, and we wanted to provide a helpful resource to aid you on your path to success.
Throughout the course of this series, we have covered a wide range of topics, including search techniques, field extraction, data manipulation, alerts, and more. Each question was meticulously crafted to mirror the format and complexity of the actual exam, giving you a realistic simulation of what to expect on test day.
We hope that you found these questions challenging yet rewarding, enabling you to deepen your knowledge and skills in Splunk. Remember, practice makes perfect, and consistent effort is key to achieving your certification goals. By utilizing these free questions and investing time in additional study, you have taken an important step towards achieving your Splunk Core Certified User certification.
However, it is important to note that while our free questions serve as a valuable resource, they should not be the sole basis of your exam preparation. We strongly recommend supplementing your studies with official Splunk documentation, online tutorials, hands-on labs, and other trusted study materials. These resources will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of Splunk and ensure your readiness for the certification exam.
