The serviceNS endpoint in the Splunk REST API is specifically designed to access resources within a defined namespace. This namespace is composed of a user and an application context. To correctly call this endpoint, the user and app context must be explicitly included as part of the URI path, following the structure .../servicesNS/{user}/{app}/.... This allows for precise targeting of configuration files, saved searches, and other knowledge objects that are context-dependent. The user can be a specific username or a wildcard (-), and the app can be a specific app name or a wildcard.

A. Authenticate with an admin user.

Authentication is required, but it does not have to be an admin user. Any user with the appropriate capabilities for the target resource can use the endpoint.

C. Authenticate with the user of the required context.

While common, it is not mandatory. A user with sufficient permissions (like an admin) can access resources in another user's namespace by specifying that user in the URI.

D. Pass the user and app context in the request payload.

The namespace context is a fundamental part of the resource's location and is therefore specified in the URI path, not within the request body or payload.

1. Splunk Enterprise Documentation

REST API Reference Manual

"REST API access" section.

This section details the structure of Splunk REST API URIs. It explicitly states: "The /servicesNS endpoint prefix lets you declare a namespace in the URI. The namespace is a user and app context." It provides the syntax https://:/servicesNS///...

directly supporting that the user and app context are specified in the URI.

2. Splunk Enterprise Documentation

REST API Tutorials

"Start using the Splunk REST API" section

"Namespaces" subsection.

This tutorial explains: "In the Splunk platform

a namespace is defined by a user and an app. To access a resource using a namespace

use the /servicesNS endpoint... The general syntax for the /servicesNS endpoint is: https://:/servicesNS///". This confirms the URI structure is the method for specifying the context.