What is the first step in the recommended testing process for data ingestion?

In the recommended testing process for data ingestion, the initial step involves ingesting a data sample into the "test" index. This is crucial because it allows administrators to experiment with data formats, configurations, and ingestion methods in a controlled environment without impacting production data. By starting with a test index, the potential issues such as parsing errors, field extractions, or any configuration missteps can be identified and resolved before moving to a live setting.

This practice ensures that only validated and correctly parsed data reaches the production index, significantly reducing the risk of data integrity issues. Testing with a data sample also provides a safe space to fine-tune the ingest settings, ensuring that everything functions as expected before scaling up the process for full data ingestion.