topic Re: Will Splunk automatically create an index listed in inputs.conf? in Getting Data In

Will Splunk automatically create an index listed in inputs.conf?

Justin_Grant — Thu, 13 May 2010 00:04:47 GMT

If our app's inputs.conf uses an index other than "main" (e.g. a custom index for our app) does our app's setup UI (or the user via manual changes) need to create the index? Or will Splunk automatically create the index if it doesn't already exist?

Re: Will Splunk automatically create an index listed in inputs.conf?

gkanapathy — Thu, 13 May 2010 00:49:12 GMT

No it will not be created. Events sent to an unconfigured index will usually be discarded.

Re: Will Splunk automatically create an index listed in inputs.conf?

the_wolverine — Thu, 13 May 2010 01:05:25 GMT

At least in version 4.1.2 you'll now see a banner telling you that events are being sent to an unconfigured or disabled index.

Re: Will Splunk automatically create an index listed in inputs.conf?

Lowell — Thu, 13 May 2010 23:47:46 GMT

Wolverine, do you see that message when events are being indexed and discarded, or whenever you setup an input with an undefined index?

Re: Will Splunk automatically create an index listed in inputs.conf?

Nicholas_Key — Sat, 22 May 2010 03:34:49 GMT

A new index will not be created automatically as far as I know.

The indexes.conf needs to be configured to indicate a new index.

Some of the important properties in the stanza include

[<NAME_OF_INDEX>]
homePath = $SPLUNK_DB/<NAME_OF_INDEX>/db
coldPath = $SPLUNK_DB/<NAME_OF_INDEX>/colddb
thawedPath = $SPLUNK_DB/<NAME_OF_INDEX>/thaweddb

Re: Will Splunk automatically create an index listed in inputs.conf?

Nicholas_Key — Sat, 22 May 2010 03:37:14 GMT

The error message will be shown in SplunkWeb when you restart Splunk telling you that the particular index is not configured or disabled.