Install Splunk Enterprise securely

To install Splunk Enterprise securely, you must have an installation package that you have confirmed is authentic and has not been modified in any way since Splunk created it. Splunk provides a Message Digest 5 (MD5) secure hash for every installation package that it generates. You can download this hash to quickly verify that the package you downloaded is authentic and has not been changed since its creation.

You can also compare the Secure Hash Algorithm-512 (SHA-512) hashes for the installation package by opening a case with Splunk Support.

Prerequisites for verifying installation package integrity

You must have the following to verify the contents of packages that you download from Splunk:

• The md5sum program, which prints the hash of the file that you supply, and comes with most versions of Linux. On Windows, you can use the certutil tool to verify MD5 hashes.
• Alternatively, the sha512sum program prints SHA512 hashes for the file that you supply.
• The MD5 or SHA512 hash files, in text format, which Splunk provide
• Access to a shell prompt

Verify installation package integrity

After you download the Splunk Enterprise package, verify it by using a trusted version of the OpenSSL suite to compare the MD5 or SHA-512 hashes to the hash of the installation package. If the hash output for the package you downloaded matches the hash file that Splunk provides, then you have downloaded a valid, secure installation package and can proceed with installation.

Download Splunk Enterprise installation package and MD5 hash

Confirm that you download the MD5 hash file that exactly matches the version of the installation package that you downloaded. Downloading a different version of the file results in the hashes not matching.

1. Go to the Splunk.com download page.
2. Under Splunk Enterprise, select Get my free trial.
3. Under Start your free download, select Log in if you already have a splunk.com account, or enter your information into the text fields to create a splunk.com account.
4. Log into your splunk.com account with your credentials.
5. Select the tab for the operating system for which you want to download Splunk software.
6. Select the Download Now link for the OS version and installation package type that you want to install with.
7. On the next page that loads, read the Splunk Software License Agreement.
8. Select the I have read, understood, and hereby agree to the above Agreement checkbox.
9. Select Access program. The page refreshes and the download begins.
10. On the next page that loads, in the Useful tools box, select MD5 to verify. A second file, the MD5 hash file, begins to download.
11. After both downloads finish, complete the "Verify hashes" procedure as described later in this topic.

Download Splunk Enterprise installation package and request SHA512 hash from Splunk Support

1. Complete Steps 1 through 10 of the "Download Splunk Enterprise installation package and MD5 hash" procedure.
2. Open a case with Splunk Support to receive the SHA512 hash file. When you open the case, provide a link to the version, operating system, and type of installation package you downloaded.
3. After you receive a link to the hash file, follow the link to download it.
4. After the package and SHA512 hash downloads finish, complete the "Verify hashes" procedure.

Verify hashes

After you download the package, verify it by running either the md5sum or sha512sum utilities:

1. Open a shell prompt.
2. Change to the directory where you downloaded the installation package and the MD5 hash.
3. Print the contents of the hash file that you downloaded:

   MD5	SHA512
   cat splunk-xxxx-release.tgz.md5	cat splunk-xxxx-release.tgz.sha512

4. Run the md5sum or sha512sum tool on the installation package that you downloaded:

   MD5	SHA512
   md5sum splunk-xxxx-release.tgz	sha512sum splunk-xxxx-release.tgz

5. Compare the output from the MD5 or SHA512 hash file against the result from the md5sum or sha512sum utilities.
6. If the hashes match exactly, then the package you downloaded is authentic and you can continue with the installation. If the hash does not match, try downloading the package again as it is incomplete or has possibly been modified.

Verify signatures

If you choose to install Splunk Enterprise using a RedHat Package Manager (RPM) installation package file, you can verify that package using the Splunk GnuPG Public key as follows.

1. Download the GnuPG Public key file (yes, this link is over TLS).
2. Install the GnuPG public key:

   rpm --import <filename>
   

3. Verify the package signature using:

   rpm -K <filename>
   

Proceed with installation from your authenticated installation package

After you have successfully verified your installation package as authentic, you can proceed with installation.

See Installation instructions in the Installation Manual.