What is the default setting for maximum data size in Splunk's indexes.conf?

The default setting for maximum data size in Splunk's indexes.conf is indeed set to "auto." This means that Splunk will automatically allocate disk space for indexes based on the available resources, allowing for optimization of storage without the need for manual configurations. This flexibility in managing data size helps ensure that as data volumes increase, Splunk can handle it efficiently, making it easier for users to focus on data management rather than micromanaging storage limits.

Having an auto setting is beneficial as it adjusts to the environment and user needs automatically, while fixed sizes could lead to unnecessary limitations or waste, depending on the specific data ingestion patterns in a Splunk deployment. Configuring indexes with set limits (like specified values of 300MB, 500GB, or 1TB) could restrict the ability to efficiently utilize available storage resources, leading to potential issues in data ingestion and performance.