Normalizing values to a common field name with the Common Information Model (CIM)

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In your Splunk deployment, data comes from multiple source types. As a result, the same values of data can occur under many different field names. For example, in the access_combined source type, there is an IP address field named clientip, which can include some of the same values as the userip field in the cisco_wsa_squid source type.

At search time, you want to normalize these different occurrences to a common structure and naming convention, allowing you to correlate events from both source types.

How to use Splunk software for this use case

Splunk supports the use of a Common Information Model, or CIM, to provide a methodology for normalizing values to a common field name.

This video shows you:

An introduction to the Common Information Model
The benefits of making your data CIM-compliant
How to install the CIM add-on
How to set up the CIM
How to use field aliases to normalize your data fields

Next steps

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In addition, these Splunk resources might help you understand and implement this use case:

Splunk Lantern: Writing better searches with the Common Information Model
Splunk Help: Common Information Model Add-on Manual
Splunkbase: Common Information Model (CIM)
Pytest Splunk Add-on: Documentation
Splunk OnDemand Services: Use these credit-based services for direct access to Splunk technical consultants with a variety of technical services from a pre-defined catalog. Most customers have OnDemand Services per their license support plan. Engage the ODS team at ondemand@splunk.com if you would like assistance.