You can use base search in your dashboard. In that case your query will run only once. <dashboard> <label>NAME</lbael> <search id="baseSearch"> <query> index=xyz sourcetype=abc .... </query> </search> <row> <panel> <chart> <title>PANEL 1</title> <search base="baseSearch"> <query> | timechart ..... </query> </search> </chart> </panel> <panel> <chart> <title>Panel 2</title> <search base="baseSearch"> <query> | stats count .... </query> </search> </chart> </panel> </row> </dashboard>   So your search will run once and transforming commands on the result set will be applied in each panel. ... View more

Are you configuring Deployment Server on one of your search head?   If not, No need to add DS as a member of cluster.  If Yes, then you will have to configure the site details on that machine. ... View more