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title: "Kafka Connector"
---

# Kafka Connector

> This connector is a part of a series of modules called Cloud Connectors. Cloud Connectors are bundled with Ignition Cloud Edition, as they leverage technology frequently associated with cloud-based architectures. Additionally, standard versions of Ignition will also be able to take advantage of the Kafka Connector's features as a module add-on. This add-on can be found on [Inductive Automation's downloads page](https://inductiveautomation.com/downloads/ignition), under **Cloud Connectors**. The Kafka Connector is not available for Ignition Edge.

## Convenient and Efficient Event Data Streaming
The Kafka Connector allows you to process event stream data received from a Kafka source, or publish event stream data to a Kafka topic. Kafka source data can also be sent to both internal subsystems, such as Gateway Events, or external applications, such as a database. Users can also receive non-Kafka source data and send it to Kafka topics.

### Kafka Connection Management
[Create Kafka connections](ignition-modules\cloud-connector-modules\kafka\kafka.md#connecting-to-a-kafka-system) from the Ignition Gateway by specifying settings such as bootstrap server hosts and ports, clients, consumer and producer configurations, and more. Kafka connections can also be enabled and disabled with a simple toggle.

### Produce and Consume Records
Receive and publish records from topics using the system functions that allow you to poll data, send records, list information, and more. The [system.kafka](appendix\scripting-functions\system-kafka\system-kafka.md) functions can also be used with Ignition's scripting autocomplete feature, making the functions easy to understand and use.

## Want to Learn More?
For more information on the Kafka Cloud Connector, see the [Kafka](ignition-modules\cloud-connector-modules\kafka\kafka.md) page.