Deployment Architecture

What is the benefit of using a light forwarder?

connorsvilardo
Engager

I have a unix machine that is my main interface for splunk.

I would like to index some windows machines.

Why should I install a light forwarder on the windows machine as opposed to installing the windows app on the unix machine?

Tags (1)
1 Solution

Ron_Naken
Splunk Employee
Splunk Employee

The light forwarder on a Windows machine will allow you to easily capture all the metrics you could need, like Performance Metrics (CPU, Memory, Disk, Network), Windows Updates, Registry Changes, AD changes, etc. Installing the Windows app on the forwarder is also recommended, and it will ease configuration of capturing commonly-used data for Windows/AD monitoring.

On the Unix indexer, the Windows app is not necessary to view the data. However, you will want to install the Windows app on the UNIX indexer, because it will allow you to view the Windows data using reports and dashboards that have already been made for common uses, like resource consumption charts, windows update status, failed logins, etc.

View solution in original post

Ron_Naken
Splunk Employee
Splunk Employee

The light forwarder on a Windows machine will allow you to easily capture all the metrics you could need, like Performance Metrics (CPU, Memory, Disk, Network), Windows Updates, Registry Changes, AD changes, etc. Installing the Windows app on the forwarder is also recommended, and it will ease configuration of capturing commonly-used data for Windows/AD monitoring.

On the Unix indexer, the Windows app is not necessary to view the data. However, you will want to install the Windows app on the UNIX indexer, because it will allow you to view the Windows data using reports and dashboards that have already been made for common uses, like resource consumption charts, windows update status, failed logins, etc.

Career Survey
First 500 qualified respondents will receive a $20 gift card! Tell us about your professional Splunk journey.

Can’t make it to .conf25? Join us online!

Get Updates on the Splunk Community!

Community Content Calendar, September edition

Welcome to another insightful post from our Community Content Calendar! We're thrilled to continue bringing ...

Splunkbase Unveils New App Listing Management Public Preview

Splunkbase Unveils New App Listing Management Public PreviewWe're thrilled to announce the public preview of ...

Leveraging Automated Threat Analysis Across the Splunk Ecosystem

Are you leveraging automation to its fullest potential in your threat detection strategy?Our upcoming Security ...