Message Queue for Apache Kafka provides fully managed and maintenance-free connectors to synchronize data between Message Queue for Apache Kafka and other Alibaba Cloud services. This topic describes the types, procedure, and limits of connectors. It also describes how to synchronize data between services in different regions by using connectors.

Notice The connector feature of Message Queue for Apache Kafka is in public preview. This feature is independent of Message Queue for Apache Kafka instances. Therefore, you are not charged on the Message Queue for Apache Kafka side when you use a connector to synchronize data between Message Queue for Apache Kafka and another Alibaba Cloud service. Alibaba Cloud does not provide Service Level Agreement (SLA) commitments for the connector feature in public preview. For more information about SLA commitments and billing of other related services, see descriptions of the corresponding services.

Types of connectors

Message Queue for Apache Kafka provides only sink connectors. You can use these connectors to export data from Message Queue for Apache Kafka to other Alibaba Cloud services. The following table lists the types of sink connectors that Message Queue for Apache Kafka supports.

Sink connector type Task type Description Documentation
FC Sink Connector KAFKA2FC Exports data from Message Queue for Apache Kafka to Function Compute. Create a Function Compute sink connector
MaxCompute Sink Connector KAFKA2ODPS Exports data from Message Queue for Apache Kafka to MaxCompute. Create a MaxCompute sink connector

Procedure

Perform the following steps to use connectors:

  1. Enable the connector feature.

    Enable the connector feature

  2. Create a connector.
  3. Manage connectors.

Limits

The following table lists the limits of Message Queue for Apache Kafka on connectors.

Item Limit
Maximum number of connectors 3
Region
  • China (Hangzhou)
  • China (Shanghai)
  • China (Beijing)
  • China (Zhangjiakou)
  • China (Hohhot)
  • China (Shenzhen)
  • China (Chengdu)
  • China (Hong Kong)
  • Singapore (Singapore)
  • Japan (Tokyo)
Note To increase the number connectors for your instance or use connectors in other regions, submit aticket to Message Queue for Apache Kafka Customer Services.

Cross-region data synchronization

You must enable Internet access for a connector to synchronize data from the connector in one region to an Alibaba Cloud service in another region over the Internet. For more information, see Enable Internet access for a connector.