Splunk Core Certified User Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a trigger condition that can be set for alerts?

1. Trigger when any result is found

2. Trigger on a specific number of results found

3. Trigger on time of day

4. Trigger on a specific number of hosts found

The correct answer is: Trigger on time of day

The correct answer identifies a condition that is not available for alert triggers in Splunk. In the context of alerting, it is essential to understand that alerts are primarily based on the results of searches and specific criteria regarding those results. When evaluating the other options, triggering actions based on the presence of results, such as when any result is found or when a specific number of results is identified, are common and fundamental features of alert conditions. Triggering based on the number of hosts found also aligns with how alerts can monitor discrete sources of data. However, triggering alerts based on an absolute time of day does not fit the standard conditions provided by Splunk, as alerts are typically focused on data characteristics rather than time alone. While you could schedule searches to run at specific times, the alerts themselves aren't directly triggered solely by the time of day; they require specific data conditions to be met. Therefore, the choice that highlights a condition which cannot be set for alerts reflects an understanding of how Splunk operates in terms of data-driven alerts.