What is the function of the Forwarder in a Splunk deployment?

The function of the Forwarder in a Splunk deployment is to send logs and data to the indexer. Forwarders are specifically designed to collect and transport data from various sources, such as servers, applications, or devices, to a central Splunk instance known as the indexer.

This process is essential because it enables the efficient management of data flows within the Splunk ecosystem. The task of sending data can involve either the collection of log files or real-time data from different sources, allowing for streamlined data ingestion. Forwarders can operate in two main types: universal forwarders, which lightweightly handle data collection, and heavy forwarders, which also perform some data processing and parsing before sending it on to the indexer.

The other functions listed, such as visualizing data, executing search queries, and storing indexed data, pertain to different components of the Splunk architecture, specifically the search head and the indexer. Thus, the role of the Forwarder is distinct and critical in ensuring that data is efficiently sent to where it can be processed and analyzed.