Connectors

What are Connectors?

Connectors are specialized components that connect telemetry pipelines, transforming data between signal types or routing telemetry into different downstream pipelines. Unlike processors that modify data within a single pipeline, connectors can change the telemetry type (for example, convert logs to metrics) or split data flows across pipelines.

Connector Categories

Signal transformation

Convert telemetry from one signal type to another.

• Example: logs → metrics, traces → metrics.

Routing & splitting

Split telemetry into different downstream pipelines based on conditions. This is useful when different downstream pipelines have different processing or destinations.

Aggregation & counting

Aggregate or count telemetry events to produce new metrics.

Available Connectors

Connector	Input	Output	Description
Count	Logs, Metrics, Traces	Metrics	Count telemetry items and emit totals as metrics
Routing	Logs, Metrics, Traces	Same as input	Route telemetry to downstream pipelines using OTTL conditions
Signal to Metrics	Logs, Metrics, Traces	Metrics	Generate custom metrics from any telemetry type using OTTL expressions
Span Metrics	Traces	Metrics	Generate R.E.D metrics (calls, errors, duration) from spans. Supports exemplars and events.

When to Use Connectors

Use a connector when you need to:

• Generate R.E.D metrics from spans (calls, errors, duration) with Span Metrics

• Count telemetry volume as metrics with Count

• Create custom metrics from any telemetry data with Signal to Metrics

• Route telemetry to different downstream pipelines with Routing

Use a processor instead when you:

• Want to modify data without changing its type

• Need to filter, enrich, or transform within the same signal type

Getting Started

1. Navigate to a V2 configuration.

2. Connect a source to a destination.

3. Click the edge between the source and destination.

4. Add a connector.

Connectors connect pipelines. Processors operate inside a pipeline.