Splunk Enterprise

What is the limit of number of files a Universal forwarder can monitor?

dineshraj9
Builder

I have a server which has 1million+ files, but at a time 5k files being generated. Splunk installation is unable to work with such high volumes.

What would be the ideal approach to onboard such volume of logs from a server?

Tags (1)
1 Solution

HiroshiSatoh
Champion

Did you see this answer?

https://answers.splunk.com/answers/294295/is-there-a-limit-best-practice-to-how-many-data-in-1.html

In addition to the UF side, it is necessary to consider the configuration of the Splunk server and the daily log volume.

How about taking 1 UF, 1 pipeline(Default configuration) and trying out where the bottleneck will be?
However, please set the number of open files and transfer speed to appropriate values.

View solution in original post

ddrillic
Ultra Champion

ignoreOlderThan can be useful in your case at inputs.conf

0 Karma

gjanders
SplunkTrust
SplunkTrust

Do keep in mind what ignoreOlderThan does, if your file stops been written to for a period of time longer than the ignoreOlderThan setting, the forwarder will not attempt to read that file until next restart.

For example, you are monitoring /a/webserver.txt
You have an ignoreOlderThan = 2d setting
/a/webserver.txt stops updating for >2 days.

Even if /a/webserver.txt gets updated , the universal forwarder will never attempt to read it, unless of course your restart the universal forwarder in which case the 2 day rule would apply again.

0 Karma

HiroshiSatoh
Champion

Did you see this answer?

https://answers.splunk.com/answers/294295/is-there-a-limit-best-practice-to-how-many-data-in-1.html

In addition to the UF side, it is necessary to consider the configuration of the Splunk server and the daily log volume.

How about taking 1 UF, 1 pipeline(Default configuration) and trying out where the bottleneck will be?
However, please set the number of open files and transfer speed to appropriate values.

dineshraj9
Builder

Thanks! Above post answers most of my queries 🙂

0 Karma
Get Updates on the Splunk Community!

Index This | Why did the turkey cross the road?

November 2025 Edition  Hayyy Splunk Education Enthusiasts and the Eternally Curious!   We’re back with this ...

Enter the Agentic Era with Splunk AI Assistant for SPL 1.4

  🚀 Your data just got a serious AI upgrade — are you ready? Say hello to the Agentic Era with the ...

Feel the Splunk Love: Real Stories from Real Customers

Hello Splunk Community,    What’s the best part of hearing how our customers use Splunk? Easy: the positive ...