What type of characters can be used in index names?

Index names in Splunk can consist of alphanumeric characters and the underscore symbol. This restriction is in place to ensure that index names are easily recognizable and manageable within the system. Alphanumeric characters include both letters (A-Z, a-z) and numbers (0-9), while the underscore is commonly used to separate words or to create readable index names.

Using only alphanumerics and the underscore helps in preventing potential database issues or confusion that could arise from special symbols or spaces in index names, which might affect querying or system operations. Additionally, keeping index names simple and standardized aids in maintaining organization within the Splunk environment, making it easier for users to understand and navigate the structure of their data storage.

Other character types, such as special symbols or spaces, are typically not permitted in index names to maintain consistency and avoid errors in indexing or querying data. Thus, the correct naming convention aligns with best practices in data management within Splunk.