Creating Event Types in Splunk

A Comprehensive Exploration of Valid Methods and Their Applications

splunk dashboard search data visualization

Key Highlights

C. Via Splunk Web Interface: Using the Settings menu and clicking Event Types > New is a straightforward approach.
D. From Search Results: Creating an event type directly from search results by selecting Event Actions > Build Event Type offers convenience and efficiency.
Alternative Configurations: While other methods exist in documentation (e.g., editing configuration files), only options C and D are considered valid in this context.

Understanding Event Types

In Splunk, an event type categorizes and organizes data based on specific search criteria. It allows users to consistently identify and group events across large datasets, thus enhancing search and reporting capabilities. Event types are especially useful in environments where data is being indexed from multiple sources and needs to be correlated or analyzed by similar characteristics.

Primary Methods to Create Event Types

There are several ways to define and create an event type in Splunk. However, among the generally discussed alternatives for event type creation, only specific methods have been validated and recommended by official Splunk documentation.

Method C: Using the Splunk Web Interface

The most user-friendly way to create an event type is by using the Splunk Web interface:

Process: Navigate to the Settings menu, then click on Event Types and select New to begin the creation process.
Configuration: In the newly opened form, users can specify the name of the event type, the search string that defines the events, and additional configuration options such as color coding and metadata for visualization.
Advantages: This method offers an intuitive interface, making it accessible for users who may not be comfortable editing configuration files directly. It also provides immediate feedback and validation for the event type configuration.

Method D: Building Event Types from Search Results

Another highly effective way to create an event type in Splunk is directly from the search results:

Process: After running a search that returns events of interest, select a specific event from the results pane.
Steps: Use the Event Actions dropdown and choose Build Event Type. This action pre-populates the event type creation form with a search string based on the selected event.
Benefits: This method is particularly useful because it quickly creates a tailored event type by leveraging existing search filters. It reduces the risk of manually entering incorrect search criteria and speeds up the categorization process.

Clarifying Common Misconceptions

There are a few alternative approaches mentioned when discussing event type creation in Splunk; however, based on the documented best practices these methods are either incorrect or not recommended for event type creation:

Incorrect/Unsupported Methods

Method	Description	Status
A. Using Searchtypes Command	This method suggests the use of a hypothetical "searchtypes" command in the search bar for creating event types.	Invalid
B. Editing props.conf	This approach involves editing a stanza named "event_type" in the props.conf file. However, event types should be configured through eventtypes.conf or through the Splunk Web interface.	Invalid
C. Splunk Web Interface	Utilizes a guided interface for event type creation.	Valid
D. Build Event Type from Search Results	Facilitates rapid event type creation directly from a selected event.	Valid

Based on the consensus in Splunk documentation and community knowledge, only methods C and D are supported ways to create an event type.

Detailed Explanation and Practical Application

The Role of Event Types in Splunk

Event types in Splunk serve as a fundamental concept in distinguishing and tagging events within large amounts of log data. Typically, when large data sets are ingested into Splunk, events are the individual records that describe an occurrence or log entry. Classifying these events by type makes it easier for users to perform analytics, create visualizations, and even manage access to data.

With event types, one can create alerts, dashboards, and detailed reports that focus on specific types of events across different data sources. For instance, by creating an event type for "failed logins" or "security breaches," administrators can quickly isolate these events and investigate anomalies.

Using the Splunk Web Interface to Create Event Types

The Splunk Web interface offers an intuitive process for defining event types:

Login to Splunk: Begin by logging into your Splunk instance. This step ensures that you have the necessary permissions to make configuration changes.
Navigate to Settings: In the main navigation menu, click on "Settings" and then select "Event Types."
Create New Event Type: Click the "New" button to open a form where you can provide the name, and describe the criteria for the event type. This form also allows you to define specific tags or metadata that might be used for further categorization.
Save and Validate: Once the details are entered, saving the configuration will create the event type and allow you to apply it immediately in your searches.

This method reduces the likelihood of misconfiguration or syntax errors because Splunk verifies the input against expected formats. It also provides a visual confirmation that the event type has been created, thereby simplifying troubleshooting and future adjustments.

Building Event Types Directly from Search Results

Creating an event type directly from search results streamlines the process by automating the extraction of a search query:

Perform a Search: Run your Splunk search to display events. Ensure that the search returns relevant events that you wish to characterize.
Select an Event: Click on a specific event that effectively represents the criteria you are interested in.
Use the Event Actions Button: In the detailed view of the event, locate the Event Actions drop-down and choose “Build Event Type.” Splunk will automatically generate a search string based on the selected event.
Customize as Needed: You can modify the generated search string to fine-tune the event type definition before saving it.

This approach lends itself to rapid categorization because it leverages live event data. It is especially useful in dynamic environments where changes in event patterns require quick adaptations.

Comparative Overview

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of the two supported methods for creating event types in Splunk:

Method	How It Works	Key Advantages	When to Use
C. Splunk Web Interface	Access via Settings > Event Types > New; user fills out configuration parameters.	User-friendly, guided interface; reduces syntax errors; immediate validation.	When creating new event types from scratch or requiring detailed configuration.
D. Build Event Type from Search Results	Select an event in search results, then use Event Actions > Build Event Type; pre-populates query.	Fast, leverages existing search criteria; minimizes manual input; effective for dynamic datasets.	When a representative event is available and quick categorization is needed.

Technical Considerations When Creating Event Types

While options C and D have been validated as correct methods, it is important to note some technical details regarding event type creation:

Eventtypes.conf vs. props.conf

Splunk allows for manual editing of configuration files to define event types. However, as discussed in community forums and documentation:

Configuration in eventtypes.conf is intended for defining event types and their properties. This file is where event type definitions are stored and managed.
Editing the props.conf file with an "event_type" stanza is not a recognized approach for creating event types. This file is used for data parsing and field extractions and is not suitable for event type definitions.

Automated and Assisted Configurations

Splunk documentation also discusses automated detection and building of event types through its internal mechanisms. Nonetheless, for a controlled and repeatable process, the manual methods provided (via the user interface or building from search results) are typically recommended.