Install and configure a Splunk Enterprise Indexer

This topic discusses installing the basic building block of a Splunk App for Microsoft Exchange deployment: a Splunk Enterprise indexer.

In this procedure, you install the indexer and then configure it to receive data from other Splunk Enterprise instances.

Install the indexer

For information on the Splunk Enterprise system requirements, see System requirements in the Installation Manual. For installation instructions for a specific operating system, see Installation instructions in the Installation Manual.

1. Prepare a host that meets or exceeds the Splunk Enterprise system requirements.
2. Write down the host name and IP address for the host that you are preparing.
3. Confirm that no firewall blocks any network traffic into or out of this host.
4. Download the Splunk Enterprise software onto the host.
5. Install the correct version of the Splunk software for the operating system that the host runs.
6. After installation, confirm that the Splunk Enterprise software functions. At a minimum:
   
   • The software should start without error. If it doesn't, try troubleshooting it.
   • You should be able to perform a basic search using the Search app. Learn how. If that doesn't work, figure out why.
7. If everything checks out, configure the indexer to have the correct indexes for the Splunk App for Microsoft Exchange.

Configure indexes

The indexer must have the indexes for the Splunk App for Microsoft Exchange defined before you can begin indexing the data. The Splunk App for Microsoft Exchange installation package comes with a file that defines those indexes. Every indexer in a Splunk App for Microsoft Exchange environment needs this configuration file.

1. In a web browser, proceed to the Splunk App for Microsoft Exchange download page.
2. Click the download link to begin the download process.
   
   • Make sure you download the latest version of the app.
   • You might need to sign in with your Splunk account before the download starts.
3. When prompted, choose an accessible location to save the download. Do not attempt to run the download.
4. Use an archive utility such as WinZip to unarchive the file to an accessible location.
5. Copy the indexes.conf file from the installation package to the configuration directory on the indexer. Open a PowerShell window and enter:
   

   > Copy-Item -Path C:\Downloads\splunk_app_microsoft_exchange\default\indexes.conf -Destination C:\Program Files\Splunk\etc\system\local -Force
   

6. Restart Splunk Enterprise. From the same PowerShell window:
   

   > cd \Program Files\Splunk\bin
   > .\splunk restart
   

You can now configure the indexer to receive data from other Splunk instances.

Configure receiving

The Splunk App for Microsoft Exchange depends on an indexer that can receive data from other hosts. Without this capability, the app cannot function. You will now enable receiving on this indexer.

To configure the indexer to receive data from other Splunk Enterprise instances:

1. Log into Splunk Enterprise on the indexer.
2. In the system bar, click Settings > Forwarding and Receiving. Splunk Enterprise loads the "Forwarding and Receiving" page.
3. Under "Receive Data" click Configure Receiving.
4. Click New.
   
5. In the Listen on this port field, enter the port number that you want Splunk Enterprise to listen on for incoming data from other Splunk instances. The conventional port number is 9997.
6. Click Save. Splunk Enterprise saves the port number and enables receiving on the indexer.

Next Steps

With the indexer set up, you have begun the process of building out a Splunk App for Microsoft Exchange deployment.

Confirm that you have written down the host name or IP address and port number of the indexer. You need it for the next step of the setup process.

Before you proceed, read our documentation on apps. You will create a simple app in the next step.

Create the send to indexer app