The creators of Splunk refer to the big data analysis software as “the data-to-everything platform.” This interface captures, indexes, and correlates real-time log data into a searchable database, known as a storage box where it can be accessed later. The stored data can be used to generate reports, graphs, alerts, and visualizations.
Splunk provides business intelligence to an organization that will allow it to improve management, compliance, and security.
What Is Splunk?
Splunk is used to organize machine-generated data and can be accessed by anyone within a given organization. It is useful because it makes big data or machine-generated data available to many departments within a business simultaneously.
The software collects and analyzes large volumes of data using its machine learning intelligence features. Using a standard application programming interface (API), it connects directly to devices and applications. If you’re not familiar with this concept yet, perhaps you should take a minute to learn about API so that you can operate the platform effectively.
What Is Splunk Used For?
Over the past decade, there has been exponential growth in operational intelligence from machine data. Splunk is part of this growth, and it has many potential uses, which we will look at below.
- Data processing. Those who already work as a network administrator or system administrator will understand how frustrating it can be to figure out a system’s log files if they are not working properly. This is where Splunk comes in as you can feed machine data to the software and it will process it and tell you exactly what the problem is.
- System performance analysis. Both hardware and software tend to break down or malfunction. Splunk helps you to perform a regular system analysis to make sure the system is running smoothly
- Storing and retrieving data. Splunk is like a cupboard where you can store your files and folders, and access them at a later stage. This means you can use the stored data to create reports via dashboards.
- Monitoring business metrics. Splunk can help analyze how various parts of a business are performing. Its dashboard can be tailored to analyze particular facets of a business and spit out reports on good and bad aspects. This will help you identify the weaknesses within a company and make improvements.
Useful Features of Splunk
Splunk does not require complicated connectors, controls, or databases. Since it is a cloud application, it is even more reliable for business use. Below are some of the reasons why this software is particularly useful.
Reporting and Alerting
Dashboard lookups and alerts are just one of the many useful features of Splunk. It can be used to generate several types of reports in the form of bar graphs, pie charts, and graphs. Each report has its own customizable dashboard. It also has an alert mechanism that helps streamline log management. You can search and navigate in Splunk with ease using these dashboards.
Scalable and Minimalistic
This software has no backend, so it is not complex and can simply be installed as an add-on to existing software. If one server is not enough to contain all the necessary information, another can be added and the two can communicate seamlessly.
Server Monitoring
Splunk can be easily used to monitor servers and Windows infrastructure. It includes performance monitoring tools that can be used to check memory, CPU, systems metrics, and more.
Learning Splunk
The Splunk website has an assortment of resources that you can learn from, including how-to videos, PDFs, and apps. You may also want to learn by joining a training program, signing up for an online course, or reading a book.
Whatever route you decide to take, this software can be a useful skill for your career.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Splunk?
Splunk is not a very complicated software, but it does take some time and effort to understand. How fast you learn it will depend on your personal goals and efforts.
However, if you decide to learn by taking a course, you will have a timeframe for how long it should take you to learn.
How to Learn Splunk: Step-by-Step
Learning any new software requires discipline. Put in 30 minutes to an hour of your time every day to explore the features and get a feel for the program. You will likely want to review Splunk’s built-in tutorials, explore forums, or join a course or online class.
Below are a few basic steps you should follow to learn the program.
- Install an up-to-date version. The first step is to download and install the latest version of the software, Splunk Enterprise 8.1.0.
- Ask a friend. Ask around to see if you know anyone who already uses the software. If so, perhaps they can show you the ropes. If not, you can look online for tutors.
- Visit the company’s website. We recommend taking this step with any new software you want to learn. The company’s website will almost always have helpful information and resources that you can use to get started.
- Start your journey. Have you ever heard the phrase “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step?” Teaching yourself anything new always takes time, but it is important to take small steps every day toward your goal. This involves practicing as often as you can.
The Best Splunk Courses and Training
There are many options for how you can learn Splunk. You may want to attend a training session in person, or just take an online course at your own pace. Below, we have included a few different options for you to choose from.
Splunk Classes
Learning in a classroom is second nature for many of us. If this is your style, we have handpicked these two courses below that you can attend to learn how to use Splunk.
Virtual Classroom
- Provider: Splunk
- Time: Varies
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: Free
The makers of this software have created these virtual Splunk Education classrooms to help you master the platform. It is more than just an introduction to the software. The virtual classroom is a live class taught by video and accessible from anywhere in the world.
Splunk Boot Camp
- Provider: Cprime
- Time: 16 hours
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $1,485 to $1,595
Aimed at corporations, this live online training will help everyone at your business learn about Splunk in an online classroom setting. The classes vary in terms of price and have many options for start dates.
Best Online Splunk Courses
You can learn how to use Splunk from some of the most popular online education institutions. They offer courses ranging from beginner to expert level at a range of prices.
The Complete Splunk Beginner Course
- Provider: Udemy
- Time: 2.5 hours on-demand video
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: $29.99
This course offered by Udemy is taught by a certified Splunk administrator. It will teach you how to use the software efficiently, from setting it up to how to use its datasets features. Once you complete the course you can get a certificate to add to your list of accomplishments.
Splunk Admin & Architect: Complete Tutorials
- Provider: Udemy
- Time: 16 hours of on-demand video
- Prerequisites: Linux and Windows basics
- Price: $59.99
If you are a complete beginner, this will teach you everything there is to know about Splunk. In it, you will learn about datasets features and how to use pivot tables to create analytical and defined reports, dashboards, and lookups.
Best Free Splunk Courses and Certifications
Below, we have included a free online course you can refer to while learning Splunk if you are not keen on enrolling in a class just yet.
Splunk Training + Certification
- Provider: Splunk
- Time: NA
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: Free
This course teaches you how to search and navigate, retrieve statistics, create reports and alerts, use dashboards, and create an instance pivot from search.
- Time: NA
- Prerequisites: None
- Price: Free
Depending on which state you are in, you may be able to register for this five-day, in-person training program. It will prepare you for the Power User and Admin certifications. Any systems administrator should consider taking this course to build on their existing knowledge and become an expert in their field.
Best Splunk Books
Learning from books and eBooks is always a good choice if you want to gain a deep understanding of Splunk. We have selected a few for you to consider picking up.
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Exploring Splunk, David Carasso
You can get a hard copy of this text from the Splunk bookstore for $10, or download a free copy from their website for PDF or Kindle. Over eight chapters you will get familiar with this big data software. The author Carasso was the third employee ever hired at Splunk, so you can be sure he knows all about the search processing language of Splunk.
Splunk Essentials – Second Edition, Betsy Page Sigman / Erickson Delgado
Splunk is becoming ever more popular as a way for businesses to use their data to make informed decisions. This relates to your job, this book will answer any questions you might have about Splunk.
It details how to install and configure the software, how to gather resources and isolate them in indexes, and how to tag essential fields and implement best practices with Splunk.
Should You Study Splunk?
We encourage you to do your own research into this software to see if it relates to your job or future career. However, we can tell you now that Splunk has become a very common data review choice for many companies and organizations.
vThese companies will be on the lookout for new hires who already know how to use this tool at an expert level. Having the skills to work on this emerging platform could boost your career.
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