What is considered best practice when forwarding syslog data?

Using a single syslog collector writing into a monitored directory structure is considered best practice when forwarding syslog data because it centralizes the collection process and simplifies data management. This approach allows for efficient monitoring and parsing of log information, as the centralized collector consolidates logs from various sources, which enhances visibility and control over the logging framework.

A monitored directory structure is beneficial because it allows Splunk to easily access and index the logs, ensuring that data is organized in a way that promotes effective searching and reporting. Additionally, having a single collector reduces the complexity of managing multiple endpoints, minimizes the risk of data loss or inconsistency, and ensures that all syslogs are processed uniformly.

This method also facilitates implementing further data enrichment, filtering, or transformation processes before the logs are ingested into Splunk, enhancing data quality and relevance. The alternative options, while they contain elements of validity, may introduce complexities or inefficiencies that can be avoided with a single, well-structured approach to log collection.