Which of the following is NOT a way to tell Splunk how to behave?

Splunk provides various methods for administrators and users to configure its behavior and manage data. While Splunk Web, the API, and the CLI (Command Line Interface) are all interfaces through which users can interact with Splunk and make configurations or commands, JSON configuration is not a method for instructing Splunk on its behavior directly.

JSON is often used for data representation and can be part of configurations; however, Splunk primarily relies on its own specific configuration files like props.conf, transforms.conf, and inputs.conf, which are not inherently in JSON format. Therefore, while JSON could be utilized in certain contexts, it does not serve as a primary method for directing Splunk's operations or configurations in the same way that the other options do.

In contrast, Splunk Web is a graphical interface that allows users to configure settings and manage data easily. The API provides programmatic access to Splunk's features and gives the ability to automate tasks or integrate with other tools. The CLI is also a powerful tool for administrators to execute commands and configure settings directly on the server.

Recognizing the distinction between standard configuration methods used by Splunk and formats like JSON helps clarify why JSON configuration stands apart from the other means of instructing Splunk's behavior.