What configuration file is primarily used to extract fields during data indexing?

The primarily used configuration file for extracting fields during data indexing is props.conf. This file plays a crucial role in defining how Splunk processes data when it is indexed. It allows you to specify various properties for different types of data, including the extraction of fields from the incoming event data.

Within props.conf, you can use specific attributes to control the extraction of fields. For instance, you can set configurations that define the format of your data, how to identify timestamps, and include directives that specify regular expressions for field extractions. These attributes enable Splunk to parse and extract meaningful information from the raw data during the indexing phase.

In contrast, other configuration files also serve important functions but are not primarily focused on field extraction at indexing time. Inputs.conf is mainly concerned with the collection of data from various sources, outputs.conf is responsible for directing indexed data to specific destinations, and transforms.conf is often used in conjunction with props.conf for advanced field extraction or transformation but not directly for indexing. Thus, props.conf is the key file for this purpose.