Where should ES apps and add-ons be copied from the staging instance?

The correct location for copying Enterprise Security (ES) apps and add-ons from the staging instance is the directory designated for shared configurations in a search head cluster. This is found under $SPLUNK_HOME/etc/shcluster/apps. When utilizing a search head cluster, apps and add-ons that need to be deployed across multiple search heads are placed in this location to ensure consistency and proper functionality within the cluster environment.

When you place an app or add-on in the $SPLUNK_HOME/etc/shcluster/apps directory, it is made available to all search heads in the cluster, ensuring that they operate under the same configuration and settings. This is crucial for maintaining uniformity in search and data retrieval processes.

The other directories serve different purposes. The $SPLUNK_HOME/etc/apps directory is intended for individual or standalone instances where the apps are not necessarily made to work within a clustered environment. The $SPLUNK_HOME/share/apps directory is primarily for shared functionalities across apps but does not specifically cater to search head clustering concerns. Lastly, the $SPLUNK_HOME/etc/deployer/apps directory is meant for apps that are being prepared for deployment to instances in a deployment server environment, not for search head clusters. Each of these directories has its own specific use case