What is Splunk Edge Hub?

Splunk Edge Hub is a hardware and software solution that brings your IoT data seamlessly into the Splunk platform. It addresses the challenges of legacy systems and fragmented data collection by acting as a central collection point for diverse IoT sensors and protocols.

This video covers what Edge Hub is, its key features, compatibility, pros and cons, and a demo showcasing how Edge Hub data integrates into Splunk dashboards.

What Problems Does Edge Hub Solve?

IoT data collection has historically been difficult due to incompatible legacy systems and fragmented data. Edge Hub solves this by providing a single device that can collect data from built-in sensors and connect to a wide range of external sensors via protocols like MQTT, OPC UA, and SNMP.

It enables organisations to gain operational visibility, make data-driven decisions, and improve resilience by easily integrating IoT data with Splunk’s analytics.

Key Features and Technical Overview

Built-In Sensors and Connectivity

The Edge Hub device includes sensors for light, accelerometer, gyroscope, sound, pressure, air quality, temperature, and humidity.

It supports Bluetooth for connecting external devices and key IoT protocols such as MQTT, LoRa, Modbus, SNMP, and OPC UA, allowing flexible integration with existing sensor networks.

Hardware and Durability

Edge Hub is rugged and IP66 rated, designed to withstand harsh environments with temperatures from -40°F to 176°F. It features 8 GB RAM, 32 GB SSD, a touchscreen interface, and optional cellular connectivity for remote locations.

Deployment Requirements

To use Edge Hub, you need the Splunk Secure Gateway, the Operational Technology Intelligence app from Splunkbase, and appropriate Splunk indexes. It supports Splunk Enterprise 9.0+ and Splunk Cloud Victoria experience.

Managing Edge Hub Devices in Splunk

Within Splunk, you get full visibility of your Edge Hub fleet, including device status, CPU usage, memory, and network connectivity. You can view live sensor data per device, monitor internal and external environmental factors, and control firmware updates remotely through a secure connection called Splunk Space Bridge.

Use Cases Showcasing Edge Hub Value

Retail Environment Monitoring

Edge Hub monitors environmental factors like temperature, humidity, sound, and CO2 levels in retail stores.
By correlating this data with customer traffic and dwell time (using AI-enabled cameras), retailers can optimise comfort, layout, and energy use for better customer experiences.

Manufacturing Predictive Maintenance

Edge Hub tracks vibrations and other sensor data on machinery, enabling early detection of wear and faults. This data supports moving from reactive to proactive maintenance by predicting failures and scheduling repairs to minimise downtime.

Data Centre Environmental Control

Accurate monitoring of temperature and humidity in data centres helps prevent overheating and damage to critical equipment. Edge Hub dashboards provide alerts and insights for maintaining optimal conditions and operational continuity.

Conclusion

Splunk Edge Hub provides a robust, flexible, and easy-to-deploy solution to collect IoT data and integrate it with Splunk’s powerful analytics platform. By unlocking IoT data visibility, Edge Hub helps organisations improve operational insights, drive predictive maintenance, and make smarter business decisions.