How to use this manual

This manual provides information about the different ways you can administer Splunk Enterprise. It also introduces you to some initial administration tasks for Windows and *nix.

Unless otherwise stated, tasks and processes in this manual are suitable for both Windows and *nix operating systems.

For a bigger picture overview of the Splunk administration process, including tasks not described in this manual (such as setting up users or data and security configuration), see "Splunk Administration: The big picture," in this manual.

For a list and simple description of the other manuals available to Splunk users, see "Other manuals for the Splunk administrator".

What you can do with the Administration Manual

Task:	Look here:
Start Splunk and do some initial configuration	All the things you need to do to get started on Splunk, from starting Splunk and installing your license, to binding Splunk to an IP. See: "What to do first" for more information.
Use Splunk Web to configure and administer Splunk	An overview of Splunk Web and how you can use it to administer Splunk. See "Use Splunk Web" for more information.
Use configuration files to configure and administer Splunk	A discussion about configuration files: where to find them, how to create and edit them, and some important stuff about file precedences. See "About configuration files" to get started.
Use the Splunk command line interface (CLI) to configure and administer Splunk	An overview of how to use the Command Line Interface to configure Splunk. See "About the CLI" for more information.
Optimize Splunk on Windows	Some Windows-specific things you should know about working with Splunk, including some tips for optimal deployment and information about working with system images. See "Introduction for Windows admins" for more information.
Learn about Splunk licenses	Install your license then go here to learn everything you need to know about Splunk licenses: "Manage Splunk licenses" for more information.
Get familiar with Splunk apps	An introduction and overview of Splunk Apps and how you might integrate them into your Splunk configuration. See "Meet Splunk apps" for more information.
Manage user settings	The Manage users chapter shows you how to manage settings for users. For more information about creating users, see Users and role-based access control in the Securing Splunk Enterprise manual.