Which takes precedence when using a mixture of native Splunk, LDAP, and/or SAML users?

In a scenario where there is a mixture of native Splunk, LDAP, and SAML users, Splunk Native authentication takes precedence. This is due to the way Splunk is designed to handle user authentication layers. When a user attempts to log in, Splunk first checks the native authentication mechanism. If a user account exists in Splunk's native user database, it will authorize the user using that account, regardless of any LDAP or SAML configurations that might also be in place.

Native authentication being the default means it serves as the primary method for verifying user identity within Splunk. Only if a user does not exist in the native database does Splunk then check for authentication through alternatives like LDAP or SAML. This hierarchical approach ensures that users who are already defined in the Splunk system can be authenticated quickly without the need for external systems, thereby streamlining internal access management.

The other authentication methods, like LDAP and SAML, serve as secondary options that come into play when a user is not present in the native database. Consequently, native authentication remains critical for control over internal user accounts and permissions, making it the primary precedence in user authentication for Splunk.