How to set up a Universal Forwarder to allow it to receive logs via the REST API?

[sujitdmello]

We have a Universal Forwarder (UF) installation on premises that collects logs from various UF Agents and sends them to Splunk Cloud.

But we also want to be able to send logs via an API to the forwarder. These are logs that are coming from other sources that don't have the agent. How do we set up the receiver on the universal forwarder to allow it to receive logs via the REST API ?

These are all Windows based.

[gjanders · Accepted solution]

Perhaps you can use Set up and use HTTP Event Collector , it was built for this purpose...

[sujitdmello]

That's what I wanted to do but this is what is mentioned in the docs:

Note: Deploying HTTP Event Collector on a forwarder requires the use of a full Splunk Enterprise install configured as a forwarder—that is, a heavy forwarder. HTTP Event Collector is not supported on universal forwarders.

Sujit

[gjanders]

The documentation probably needs an update, I just tested on a 6.5.2 forwarder and it worked fine !

[gjanders]

FYI I asked the development team via email and they said using the HEC on the universal forwarder is not currently a supported configuration even though it works...

[fred070]

Agree that Splunk UF with HEC works via an unsecured connection.

Not working though, if using secured socket (it might require SSL Certificates)

[sujitdmello]

Thanks for the confirmation.