At index time, in which field does Splunk store the timestamp value?

In Splunk, the correct field where the timestamp value is stored at index time is the _time field. This field represents the time that corresponds to the event as it is ingested into the Splunk index, and is crucial for time-based searches, operations, and visualizations within the platform.

The _time field is the standard field used in Splunk to store the epoch time of events. When data is ingested, Splunk parses the timestamp and assigns it to this field, ensuring that all time-based functionalities operate correctly. The use of underscores in _time signifies that it is a reserved field in Splunk's nomenclature, further distinguishing it from user-defined fields or other standard fields.

This ability to accurately capture time at index time is vital for maintaining the integrity of event chronology, enabling users to conduct effective investigations, generate time series analytics, and slice data by time in various reports and dashboards within Splunk.