Splunk Enterprise installation, Local or Domain- Are there big differences and can local admin be linked with AD?

[yohhpark]

From the installation option, there is one section where I can choose from Local or domain Account. Some how installation using Domain wasn't working, so I used Local account to install. 

1. Are there a BIG difference between those two installation? I understand that we can authenticate with LDAP on the Splunk Web, so does it mean local/domain won't matter that much?

2. We have created the local admin account, can this be linked with AD and uploaded under specified DC groups?

[PickleRick]

I've never installed "full" Splunk installation on Windows, just UF but.

1) For internal Splunk server workings, there should be no difference.

2) If you want to do local ingestion (like reading local eventlogs) Local System will make it easier to read those

3) You might want to perform some actions or run some modular inputs that could use elevated privileges. Again - Local System would be easier to work with.

4) In general - Local System is an account with a very wide set of privileges and should not be used unless absolutely necessary.

5) If you want to perform some ingestion "across your AD" (like reading other computers' EventLogs via WMI or reading files from shares on other servers), you need AD account. Otherwise you won't be able to authenticate to remote resources.

So it's all just a matter of your actual needs and risk assessment. I'd just say that typically for such cases you should use managed service account in your AD.

[gcusello · Accepted solution]

Hi @yohhpark,

I never saw an installation as Domain admin grants, always as Local!

In addition, you could also use another role but in this case you have to manage grant accesses to all resources, instead local  admins is ok.

Ciao.

Giuseppe

[yohhpark]

Thank you

[gcusello]

Hi @yohhpark,

good for you, see next time!

Ciao and happy splunking

Giuseppe

P.S.: Karma Points are appreciated by all the contributors 😉

[yohhpark]

hi Legend,

I have posted another questions. would you be able to take a look?

[gcusello]

Hi @yohhpark,

which one?

anyway, if i didn't Answer is because I haven't an answer!

Ciao and happy splunking

Giuseppe

P.S.: Karma Points are appreciated by all the contributors 😉