Best Practices for Keeping inputs.conf Organized in Shared Environments

As Splunk environments grow, inputs.conf becomes a battlefield. Here’s how we kept ours clean while managing 100+ forwarders and multiple teams.

Strategy 1: One TA Per App or Input Type

Don’t lump everything into local. Use app-scoped TAs like:

TA_windows_eventlogs TA_linux_syslog TA_custom_apps

This makes it easier to track, test, and push updates.

Strategy 2: Name Monitor Stanzas Explicitly

Avoid vague entries like:

ini [monitor:///var/log]

Instead, use:

ini [monitor:///var/log/nginx/access.log] sourcetype = nginx:access index = web

Strategy 3: Deny Lists for Default Inputs

Block noise (e.g., audit logs, startup logs) that you don’t want.

ini [WinEventLog://Security] disabled = 1

Strategy 4: Deployment Server Discipline

Split serverclasses by OS, environment, or ownership. Never mix Linux and Windows in the same class unless you like pain.

TL;DR

• Modular apps
• Explicit paths
• Scoped configs
• Deny lists and discipline

Good inputs.conf hygiene saves lives—and licensing.