Pega Infinity 23 now allows you to externalize Apache Kafka, an essential tool for real-time data processing. This feature is especially helpful for organizations moving to cloud-based setups, such as Pega Cloud 3, which supports automatic use of externalized Kafka. This guide will walk you through the process, explain the benefits, and describe how Pega Cloud 3 simplifies the transition.

How to Externalize Kafka

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preparation:

• Make sure your Pega is updated to Infinity 23.
• Check that your system can support external Kafka clusters.
• Collect all necessary Kafka connection details and credentials.

2. Configure Kafka in Pega:

Create a Kafka Data Set:

• Navigate to Records > Data Model > Data Set
• Click Create and choose Kafka Data Set
• Enter the required details like name, description, and Kafka cluster information (bootstrap servers, topics, etc.)

   Set Up Kafka Cluster:

• Enter the bootstrap server addresses and necessary configurations (security protocols, authentication details)

   Define Topics and Partitions:

• Specify which Kafka topics to use and set the number of partitions needed

   Set Up Security:

• If your Kafka cluster uses SSL/TLS or SASL, configure the security settings

   Test Connection:

• Use the “Test Connectivity” option to ensure Pega can connect to your Kafka cluster

3. Deploy and Validate:

• Deploy your Kafka data set.
• Validate by sending test messages from Pega to Kafka to ensure they are correctly processed.

Automatic Transition to Externalized Kafka in Pega Cloud 3

Pega Cloud 3 makes it easy to switch to externalized Kafka:

1. Automatic Configuration:

• When moving to Pega Cloud 3, the platform detects and externalizes your Kafka setup.
• It migrates and adjusts your existing configurations for cloud use.

2. Managed Services:

• Pega Cloud 3 manages Kafka services for you, ensuring high availability, scalability, and security.
• Kafka clusters are monitored and maintained by Pega, reducing the workload on your IT team.

3. Continuous Updates and Support:

• The externalized Kafka in Pega Cloud 3 is regularly updated with new features and security patches.
• Pega support is available to help with any Kafka-related issues.

Benefits of Externalizing Kafka

1. Scalability:

   Easily scale by adding more Kafka nodes, which is great for handling increased data loads.

2. Reliability:

   Kafka's high availability and fault tolerance ensure your data is safe and always accessible.

3. Flexibility:

   Kafka integrates with various data sources and supports multiple consumer groups for real-time analytics.

4. Security:

   Kafka provides strong security features like SSL encryption and access control, ensuring data safety.

5. Cost Efficiency:

Using managed Kafka services in the cloud can be cheaper and easier than maintaining on-premise infrastructure.

Conclusion

Externalizing Kafka in Pega Infinity 23, especially with Pega Cloud 3, offers significant benefits like better scalability, reliability, and security. The configuration process is straightforward, and Pega Cloud 3 simplifies the transition, letting you focus on building robust real-time applications. This modern approach enhances your data streaming capabilities, aligning with today's cloud infrastructure trends.