SPLK-1002 Advanced Searching and Statistics Practice Question
Exhibit
| inputlookup server_list.csv | fields server_name, location | join type=left server_name [search index=main sourcetype=status | stats latest(status) as current_status by server_name ] | table server_name, location, current_status
Refer to the exhibit. What is the purpose of this search?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently think `append` is used for comparison or filtering (like `join`), but it simply adds events, and the `stats` command with `values()` is what merges and enriches the data, not a direct comparison or update operation.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
To enrich the server list with current status from the main index.
The search uses `inputlookup` to load a lookup file (server_list), then pipes it into `eval` to create a `status` field set to 'missing'. The `append` command adds all events from the main index (source=main sourcetype=access_combined) that match the server names in the lookup. The `stats values(*) as * by server` merges the two datasets per server, so if a server from the lookup has matching events in the main index, its `status` field will be overwritten with the actual status from the main index (e.g., '200'). Servers with no matching events retain 'missing'. This enriches the lookup data with current status from the main index.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
To compare two datasets and show only matching server names.
Why it's wrong here
The left join includes non-matching servers as well (with null current_status).
- ✗
To update the lookup file with current status.
Why it's wrong here
The search does not write back to the lookup file.
- ✗
To find servers that are missing from the lookup.
Why it's wrong here
The left join includes all servers from lookup, not missing ones.
- ✓
To enrich the server list with current status from the main index.
Why this is correct
The left join adds current_status to each server from the lookup.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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