What is a search head in Splunk architecture?

In Splunk architecture, the search head plays a critical role in handling user queries and returning findings. It is primarily responsible for processing the searches initiated by users, managing the search lifecycle, and coordinating the search activities across indices and the distributed environment if applicable. When a user issues a query, the search head interprets and optimizes the search request, retrieving results from the indexers that store the actual data.

The search head can also provide features such as dashboards and reports, offering visualization and easier data analysis for users. This functionality allows users to interact with and analyze the indexed data effectively.

In contrast, other components in Splunk architecture fulfill different purposes. The component responsible for data collection is known as a forwarder, which gathers data from various sources and sends it to the indexer for indexing. The indexer itself is the part of the architecture that stores and organizes the indexed data, enabling efficient searching. A separate visualization component or tools build on top of the search head and indexed data to present insights graphically, but the core responsibility for processing searches rests with the search head itself.