Which Splunk component is primarily responsible for storing and indexing data?

The correct answer is the Indexer, which plays a crucial role in the Splunk ecosystem. The primary responsibility of the Indexer is to store and index the data received from various data sources. After data is ingested into Splunk, the Indexer processes it by parsing and indexing the information so that it can be quickly retrieved and searched by users. This indexing process creates an optimized structure that allows for fast searches over large volumes of data.

In the context of Splunk's architecture, each component serves specific functions. The Search Head facilitates user search queries and visualizations, while the Universal Forwarder collects data from endpoints and forwards it to the Indexer. The Heavy Forwarder also collects and forwards data but can perform more complex processing on it before sending it along. However, neither of these components are responsible for storing or indexing the data directly. Therefore, recognizing that the Indexer's primary function is to manage the storage and indexing process helps clarify its essential role within the Splunk framework.