https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/Splunk/8.2.2/Data/Configureyourinputs Add your data to Splunk Enterprise. With Splunk Enterprise, you can add data using Splunk Web or Splunk Apps. In addition to these methods, you also can use the following methods. -The Splunk Command Line Interface (CLI) -The inputs.conf configuration file. When you specify your inputs with Splunk Web or the CLI, the details are saved in a configuartion file on Splunk Enterprise indexer and heavy forwarder instances.

Explanation/Reference: https://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/Splunk/7.3.1/InheritedDeployment/Deploymenttopology