Which component of Splunk provides user access and reporting functionalities?

The Search Head in Splunk serves as the primary interface for users to interact with the data. It is responsible for processing search requests, managing user access, and facilitating reporting functionalities. When a user runs a search, the Search Head handles the query and retrieves the relevant data from the indexers, allowing users to visualize and analyze the data through dashboards, reports, and alerts.

This component is essential for enabling multiple users to access the same data simultaneously while providing features like role-based access control, which determines what data users can see and what capabilities they possess within the Splunk environment. The Search Head supports collaboration, as different users can create and share their searches and reports easily.

In contrast, while the Index is crucial for storing and retrieving data, it does not directly manage user access or provide reporting functionalities. The Forwarder is responsible for gathering and sending data to the indexers but does not facilitate user interactions or querying capabilities. The Deployment Server is utilized for managing configurations and updates across various Splunk components but is not involved with user access or reporting directly.