What are the two options available for configuring Splunk to handle syslog data?

The correct choice highlights that syslog data can be efficiently handled by utilizing an intermediate tier. This approach involves sending syslog data from network devices to a dedicated syslog server or intermediary system. This server can then process and forward the incoming syslog messages to Splunk for indexing and analysis.

Using an intermediate tier is beneficial because it allows for better control over the data flow, including features such as buffering, data transformation, and centralized management of logs from multiple devices. This can enhance the reliability of data collection and ensure that all relevant logs are captured and sent to Splunk for further analysis.

In contrast, direct ingestion via TCP is indeed a common method for handling syslog data, but it does not require an intermediate tier. The other options mentioned—ingesting data from a database and using file-based log collection—do not specifically relate to syslog data handling, which is characterized by its network protocol and message structure, thus making them less relevant in this context.