- A
index=firewall sourcetype=fw_log earliest=-1h | dedup src_ip | stats count as UniqueIPs
Why wrong: The dedup command removes duplicate events based on src_ip but then stats count counts all remaining events, which may include multiple events per IP if other fields differ.
- B
index=firewall sourcetype=fw_log earliest=-1h | top src_ip | stats count as UniqueIPs
Why wrong: top returns the most common values and count, then stats count would count the number of IPs in the top list, not all distinct IPs.
- C
index=firewall sourcetype=fw_log | timechart dc(src_ip) span=1h
Why wrong: This returns the distinct count per hour, not a single total.
- D
index=firewall sourcetype=fw_log earliest=-1h | stats dc(src_ip) as UniqueIPs
This correctly filters the last hour and computes the distinct count of src_ip.
SPLK-1002 Basic Searching and Transforming Commands Practice Question
This SPLK-1002 practice question tests your understanding of basic searching and transforming commands. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A security analyst uses Splunk to ingest firewall logs from multiple locations. The index is 'firewall' and the sourcetype is 'fw_log'. Each event contains fields: src_ip, dest_ip, action, bytes, and time. The analyst needs to find how many unique source IPs have been logged in the last hour to report potential scanning activity. The search should be efficient and accurate, returning only the total count of distinct source IPs. Which search accomplishes this?
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
index=firewall sourcetype=fw_log earliest=-1h | stats dc(src_ip) as UniqueIPs
Option D is correct because it uses the `stats dc(src_ip)` command, which directly calculates the distinct count of source IPs in a single, efficient pass over the data. The `earliest=-1h` time filter restricts the search to the last hour, and the `as UniqueIPs` alias provides the exact output requested: a single number representing the total count of unique source IPs.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
index=firewall sourcetype=fw_log earliest=-1h | dedup src_ip | stats count as UniqueIPs
Why it's wrong here
The dedup command removes duplicate events based on src_ip but then stats count counts all remaining events, which may include multiple events per IP if other fields differ.
- ✗
index=firewall sourcetype=fw_log earliest=-1h | top src_ip | stats count as UniqueIPs
Why it's wrong here
top returns the most common values and count, then stats count would count the number of IPs in the top list, not all distinct IPs.
- ✗
index=firewall sourcetype=fw_log | timechart dc(src_ip) span=1h
Why it's wrong here
This returns the distinct count per hour, not a single total.
- ✓
index=firewall sourcetype=fw_log earliest=-1h | stats dc(src_ip) as UniqueIPs
Why this is correct
This correctly filters the last hour and computes the distinct count of src_ip.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `dedup` with `distinct count` or think `top` can be adapted to count unique values, but only `stats dc()` directly and efficiently returns the exact count of distinct field values without additional post-processing.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The dedup command removes duplicate events based on src_ip but then stats count counts all remaining events, which may include multiple events per IP if other fields differ.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `dc()` function in Splunk uses a hyperloglog algorithm to estimate distinct counts with minimal memory, making it highly efficient for large datasets. In contrast, `dedup` must hold all unique values in memory and compare each event, which can be resource-intensive. In real-world scenarios with millions of firewall events per hour, `stats dc()` is the preferred method for scanning detection because it scales linearly and returns results quickly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the SPLK-1002 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SPLK-1002 question test?
Basic Searching and Transforming Commands — This question tests Basic Searching and Transforming Commands — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: index=firewall sourcetype=fw_log earliest=-1h | stats dc(src_ip) as UniqueIPs — Option D is correct because it uses the `stats dc(src_ip)` command, which directly calculates the distinct count of source IPs in a single, efficient pass over the data. The `earliest=-1h` time filter restricts the search to the last hour, and the `as UniqueIPs` alias provides the exact output requested: a single number representing the total count of unique source IPs.
What should I do if I get this SPLK-1002 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This SPLK-1002 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Splunk certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SPLK-1002 exam.
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