topic Re: Can I create a new index using the REST API? in Getting Data In

Can I create a new index using the REST API?

hiddenkirby — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 15:44:40 GMT

I am using something pretty similar to this in my transforms.conf to dynamically put events in the desired indexes.

https://answers.splunk.com/answers/150266/dynamic-index-assignment-based-on-event-or-log-prefix.html

There are situations where the index doesnt' quite exist yet. When that happens the file sink-holes into the ether, not to be ingested, nor kept in the original directory.

I'm looking to write some code to get in front of it, and

watch the directories
ensure the appropriate index exists
then drop the file in the Splunk-watched directory (or maybe use the api/cli to directly ingest the file in Splunk to the correct index).

This is not a clustered Splunk, though if required, it is possible. (I came across this question https://answers.splunk.com/answers/387133/how-to-create-index-using-rest-api-in-a-clustered.html?utm_source=typeahead&utm_medium=newquestion&utm_campaign=no_votes_sort_relev)

My concern is that the solution is pointing to something like editing the indexes.conf file and rebooting splunk through the command line. Is this possible via REST API? I would also prefer not to have to reboot and kick the users off. What does the Splunk UI use to do it?

Re: Can I create a new index using the REST API?

jkat54 — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 17:45:00 GMT

You don't need to reboot splunk for index additions.

You just need to update indexes.conf and then hit the debug refresh endpoint for indexes or for everything if you prefer.

Re: Can I create a new index using the REST API?

jkat54 — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 17:46:45 GMT

Something like a post to http://splunkserver:8000/en-US/debug/refresh?entity=indexes should work

Re: Can I create a new index using the REST API?

hiddenkirby — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 19:18:37 GMT

This is helpful, thank you. Is that what the UI does when you create an index?

Re: Can I create a new index using the REST API?

jkat54 — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 20:37:20 GMT

Yes or something very similar.

You could install something like Teleriks Fiddler on your device and see exactly what posts/gets are made when you click on buttons in the UI.