This course enables participants to build, configure, and troubleshoot a full observability pipeline using the Splunk Distribution of the OpenTelemetry Collector.

Learners will gain experience with metrics, logs, and traces, exploring how to enrich, transform, and analyze telemetry data flowing through the collector into Splunk Observability Cloud.

This course is most useful for SRE, DevOps Engineers, Platform Engineers and Observability Monitoring Specialists. The course can be relevant for Application developers too.

SRE/DevOps Engineers

Platform/Infrastructure Engineers

Observability Monitoring Specialists

Basic Linux terminal proficiency

● Familiarity with Docker, Docker Compose

● Working knowledge of YAML

● Awareness of telemetry concepts (metrics, logs, traces)

● Introductory experience with Splunk Observability Cloud or similar observability backends

Module 1: Introduction to the OpenTelemetry Collector

● Describe OpenTelemetry and available distributions

● Describe OpenTelemetry Collector packaging options, deployment models and ingestion modes

● Visualize the flow of telemetry data through the Collector pipeline, from ingestion to export

● Deploy and configure the OpenTelemetry Collector using guided steps

● Use best practices and advanced configuration techniques

Module 2 – Traces Pipeline

● Use the `otlphttp` exporter to send traces to Splunk Observability Cloud

● Compare auto and manual instrumentation approaches

● Auto-instrument a Node.js Express application using the Splunk

● OpenTelemetry JavaScript agent

● Enrich traces with additional metadata using processors

● Explore trace data and errors using the APM Service Map

Module 3 – Metrics Pipeline

● Define processors to rename, aggregate, and scale metrics

● Configure the signalfx exporter

● Explain the importance of metric normalization

● Apply best practices when editing the otelcol-config.yml file

Module 4 – Logs Pipeline

● Describe log ingestion into Splunk via splunk_hec and how logs become viewable in Splunk Observability Cloud

● Use Log Observer to search and explore logs

● Filter noisy logs with the filter processor to reduce telemetry volume and control data costs

● Redact, or modify log data to meet privacy and compliance needs

With Arrow Education, you and your teams can learn to optimize Splunk through instructor-led training, supported by hands-on labs. Explore learning paths and certifications to meet your goals. Splunk courses cover all product areas, supporting specific roles such as Splunk Platform Search Expert, Splunk Enterprise or Cloud Administrator, SOC Analyst or Administrator, DevOps or Site Reliability Engineer, and more.