> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-agentix/configure-cortex-agentix/cortex-agentix-data-sources-and-connectors/vendor-specific-data-sources-and-connectors/kafka.md).

# Kafka

Configure the Kafka connector for Cortex AgentiX.

You can configure collecting Kafka data using a Broker VM Kafka Collector applet applet or connector (onboarded after July 26, 2026):

Here are the articles in this section:

* [Kafka](/cortex-agentix/configure-cortex-agentix/cortex-agentix-data-sources-and-connectors/vendor-specific-data-sources-and-connectors/kafka/kafka.md)

| Collection Method                                 | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| ------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Kafka Collector applet overview                   | Enables you to monitor and collect events from Topics on self-managed on-prem Kafka clusters directly to your log repository for query and visualization purposes. The applet supports Kafka setups with no authentication, with SSL authentication, and SASL SSL authentication. |
| Link to Kafka Collector applet instructions       | [Activate Apache Kafka Collector](https://docs-cortex.paloaltonetworks.com/r/Cortex-XSIAM/Cortex-XSIAM-Documentation/Activate-Apache-Kafka-Collector)                                                                                                                             |
| Link to connector (onboarded after July 26, 2026) | [Kafka](/cortex-agentix/configure-cortex-agentix/cortex-agentix-data-sources-and-connectors/vendor-specific-data-sources-and-connectors/kafka/kafka.md)                                                                                                                           |


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-agentix/configure-cortex-agentix/cortex-agentix-data-sources-and-connectors/vendor-specific-data-sources-and-connectors/kafka.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.