Splunk Enterprise Certified Admin Practice Test

What is the consequence of an index exceeding its maximum size?

1. New data will stop being indexed.

2. Old data will be automatically deleted.

3. The system will crash.

4. Data will be split into multiple indexes.

The correct answer is: Old data will be automatically deleted.

When an index in Splunk reaches its maximum size, the configured behavior is to automatically delete the oldest data to make room for new incoming data. This process is essential for maintaining optimal performance and ensuring that the index does not grow indefinitely. Splunk uses a retention policy which allows you to define the maximum size and timeframe for data within an index. When the index reaches its specified maximum size, Splunk will begin to delete the oldest events in order to free up space for new data. This automatic deletion helps in effectively managing storage utilization and ensures that the system remains responsive. As a result, the approach that allows for continuous indexing even when the index size limit is reached is through the systematic removal of old events, rather than stopping new data from being indexed, impacting system stability, or splitting data into multiple indexes.