Splunk Enterprise Certified Architect Practice Test

What does replication factor control in an indexer cluster?

1. The number of copies of each index bucket stored

2. The frequency of data backup procedures

3. The number of peer nodes that can fail without data loss

4. The overall performance of search queries

The correct answer is: The number of copies of each index bucket stored

Replication factor is a key concept in an indexer cluster that directly relates to data durability and availability. It defines how many copies of each index bucket are maintained across the cluster. When the replication factor is set, it ensures that there are multiple instances of data stored on different peer nodes within the cluster. This redundancy is crucial for protecting against data loss in scenarios where one or more nodes fail. For instance, if the replication factor is set to three, each index bucket will have three copies distributed across different nodes, enhancing fault tolerance. If one node goes down, the other copies remain accessible, allowing for uninterrupted data access and search capabilities. This architecture is fundamental in ensuring both high availability and reliability in data management within a Splunk environment. In contrast, the frequency of data backup procedures pertains to operational practices rather than how data is replicated among peers. Similarly, the number of peer nodes that can fail without data loss corresponds to the concept of "n-2" redundancy but is not directly controlled by the replication factor itself. Lastly, while having more copies can impact the speed at which data is retrieved, the replication factor doesn't directly control overall search performance; rather, it focuses on the security and reliability of the data stored.