At what point in the ES installation process should Splunk_TA_ForIndexes.spl be deployed to the indexers?

Deploying the Splunk_TA_ForIndexes.spl at the correct stage of the Enterprise Security installation process is crucial for ensuring that the indexers can effectively process the necessary data. This technology add-on is specifically designed to be installed on the indexers to support the data types and inputs used by the Enterprise Security app.

Installing this add-on after the setup of the search head(s) is important because it allows the indexers to be correctly configured to handle the data generated by the Enterprise Security app, which may depend on configurations, data models, and knowledge objects defined on the search head. By first establishing the search head, you ensure that any dependencies or configurations are in place, allowing the indexers to efficiently process and index the data that will be utilized for security operations.

This timing also corresponds with best practices in Splunk architecture, where the flow and dependencies between components need to be respected for optimal functionality and performance. Deploying the add-on before this stage could lead to issues where the indexers are not fully prepared to handle the expected data types and structures necessary for the security operations being implemented.