Which of the following Splunk components typically resides on the machines where data originates?

The forwarder is the Splunk component that typically resides on the machines where data originates. It is responsible for collecting and sending data from the source systems to the Splunk indexers. There are two main types of forwarders: Universal Forwarders and Heavy Forwarders. Universal Forwarders are lightweight and designed for efficient data collection, while Heavy Forwarders can parse and index data before sending it to the indexers.

This component's primary role is to ensure that data is transmitted securely and efficiently from the source to the Splunk infrastructure, allowing for real-time data ingestion and analysis. The forwarder operates on the source servers and ensures that all necessary logs and data are captured, making it essential for comprehensive data monitoring and reporting in Splunk environments.

In contrast, the indexer is responsible for storing and indexing the ingested data, the search head is used to search and analyze the indexed data, and the deployment server manages configurations and apps across multiple Splunk instances. Thus, the forwarder's placement on the originating machines distinguishes its functionality in the Splunk ecosystem.