---
title: Kafka SSL Integration Guide
slug: manufacturing-connect-edge/kafka-ssl-integration-guide
docTags: 
createdAt: 2024-01-29T16:52:05.595Z
---

Review the following guide for setting up an integration between Manufacturing Connect Edge and a Kafka broker using SSL authentication. 

# Before You Begin

You will need the following:

- Access to a Kafka broker that uses SSL authentication.  
- The CA certificate and other required authentication parameters needed to access the broker. 

Refer to the following links to learn more:

- [Apache Kafka Download](https://kafka.apache.org/downloads) 
- [Encrypt and Authenticate with TLS](https://docs.confluent.io/platform/current/kafka/authentication_ssl.html)
- [OpenSSL Downloads](https://www.openssl.org/source/)

# Step 1: Add Device

Follow the steps to [Connect a Device](docId\:RFVIJdxz7DBAd8mwbismA). The device will be used to store tags that will be eventually used to create outbound topics in the connector. Make sure to select the **Enable Data Store** checkbox. 

# Step 2: Add Tags

After connecting the device in Manufacturing Connect Edge, you can [Add Tags](docId\:iOaNZd2AwqnkuppgeE3Eh) to the device. Create tags that you want to use to create outbound topics for the connector. 

# Step 3: Add Kafka SSL Connector

Follow the steps to [Add a Connector](docId\:M2niFNAAdyPHcvZWMCOTo) and select the **Kafka SSL **provider. 

Configure the following parameters. 

- **Name**: Enter a name for the connector. 
- **Brokers list separated by comma**: Enter the Kafka broker URL. For example: 192.168.56.1. 
- **SASL mechanism**: Select an option: NONE, SASL\_PLAINTEXT, SCRAM-SHA-256, SCRAM-SHA-512. 
- **Username **(Optional): If needed, enter the username to access the broker. 
- **Password**: (Optional): If needed, enter the password associated with the username. 
- **CA Certificate**: Paste or upload the CA certificate associated with the broker. 
- **Certificate**: Paste or upload  the SSL certificate. 
- **Private key**: Enter or paste the SSL private key. 
- **Topic**: Enter the name of the default topic used for publishing data. 
- **Throttling Limit**: The maximum number of messages per second to be processed. The default value is zero, which means that there is no limit. 
- **Persistent storage**: When enabled, this will cause messages to undergo a store-and-forward procedure. Messages will be stored within Manufacturing Connect Edge when cloud providers are online.  
- **Queue Mode**: Select the queue mode as **lifo **(last in first out) or **fifo **(first in first out). Selecting **lifo **means that the last data entry is processed first, and selecting **fifo **means the first data entry is processed first. 

# Step 4: Enable the Connector

After adding the connector, click the toggle in the connector tile to enable it. 

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/SpT3cbYa058Osv-PFhRJp_image.png" size="60" width="414" height="346" position="center" showCaption="false"}

If you see a *Failed *status, you can review the [Connector Logs](docId\:Zz28hZtQBK7oD_Xsj81O8) and relevant error messages. 

# Step 5: Create Topics for Connector 

You will now need to import the tag you added in Step 3 to the connector as topics. 

:::hint{type="info"}
Topics must already exist on the Kafka server to avoid errors. Using non-existent Kafka topics will result in errors in logs, failed connection and/or persisted storage.
:::

**To create outbound topics:**

1. Click the connector tile.
   The connector *Dashboard *appears. 
2. Click the **Topics **tab. 
3. Click the **Import from DeviceHub tags** icon. 
   The *DeviceHub Import* dialog box appears.
   ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/QUo-NUFfBj7F2BbnlBBj3_importdevicehub.png" size="80" width="1218" height="567" caption="Import from DeviceHub icon" position="center" showCaption="true"}
4. Select all the tags to import and click **Import**. 

After adding all required topics, navigate to the Integration overview page and ensure the connector is not disabled and still shows a CONNECTED status. 

# Step 6: Enable Topics

To enable the topics, return to the *Topics *tab and click the **Enable all topics** icon. 

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/SSUUxKZUk9bFTEPNn_6Zo/_r9Zt0i2zdoHv9dd9d5xx_image.png" size="80" width="1218" height="567" caption="Enable all topics icon" position="center" showCaption="true"}

# Step 7: Verify Connection

Access the Kafka broker and verify that Manufacturing Connect Edge is successfully sending data.