Is it possible to install a master node and a search head on the same VM?

[ameslet]

Hi Splunkers,

I am new to Splunk and I have to install and configure Splunk on three virtual machines (1 Search Head and a cluster composed of 2 indexers). I went through the Splunk documentation and saw that a master Node is required to handle the behavior of the indexer cluster.
I would like to install both instances, the master node and the search head, on the same VM even if the documentation doesn't recommend it. How could I get it done?

If this task is impossible, how could I configure an indexer without taking into account a master node as the IP address of the master node must be written in the configuration file of any indexer ?

Thanks in advance.

Alex

[somesoni2]

Technically it can but it's not recommended, specially for Production. See these links

http://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/Splunk/6.4.0/Indexer/Enablethemasternode
https://answers.splunk.com/answers/71201/clustering-can-a-cluster-master-also-act-as-a-search-head.h...

[ddrillic]

I would also add -
http://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/Splunk/6.1.1/Indexer/Aboutclusters

Since the master node "just" manages the cluster, it's hard to believe that they would collide on resources, but you better monitor the server well.

[ameslet]

Okay, thank you very much for your answers.
I was also wondering if it is mandatory to have a master node as the cluster isn't that big (only composed of two indexers).
Would it be possible to have an architecture composed of indexers' cluster without any master node ?