Which of the following endpoints is used to authenticate with the Splunk REST API?

The /services/auth/login endpoint is the designated REST API endpoint for authenticating with a Splunk instance. A client application sends a POST request containing user credentials (username and password) to this endpoint. Upon successful validation, the Splunk server responds with a session key (or token). This session key must then be included in the Authorization header of all subsequent API requests to access protected resources, thereby maintaining an authenticated session. This is the standard and primary method for programmatic login via the REST API.

B. The /services/session endpoint is used to manage properties of an existing session, not to create a new one by logging in.

C. This is a syntactically incorrect and non-existent endpoint path, improperly combining segments from different valid endpoints.

D. The /servicesNS prefix is for accessing resources within a specific namespace (user/app context), and authentication/login is not the correct path for the login function.

1. Splunk Enterprise 9.2.1 REST API Reference Manual:

Reference: Endpoints > auth/login

Details: The documentation explicitly states

"Use this endpoint to log in to Splunk and create a session key." It details the required POST method and parameters (username

password) to authenticate and receive a session key.

2. Splunk Enterprise 9.2.1 REST API User Manual:

Reference: Access the REST API > Authentication and authorization

Details: This section describes the authentication process

stating: "To authenticate with Splunk Enterprise

send a POST request containing your username and password to the /services/auth/login endpoint. Splunk Enterprise responds with a session key if the credentials are valid."