Which forwarder data types are considered "cooked"?

In the context of Splunk forwarders, the term "cooked" refers to data that has been processed or parsed before being sent to the indexer. This typically means that the raw data has gone through an initial interpretation that extracts meaningful fields or structures, enabling more efficient indexing and searching.

When data is categorized as parsed, it indicates that it has undergone some level of processing, including the extraction of timestamps, source type determination, and field extractions. This processed data format makes it easier to analyze within Splunk. In contrast, unparsed data remains in its raw form and does not have these attributes applied.

Choosing parsed and unparsed as the correct answer recognizes that both types contribute to what is considered "cooked" data when sent from forwarders. Even though unparsed data may not be fully processed, it can still carry some pre-processing effects depending on the forwarder's settings or configurations.

Understanding this distinction is crucial for Splunk administration, as it affects how data is managed throughout the pipeline from forwarder to indexer, impacting performance and search capabilities within the environment.