Connectors Overview
This article details what a connector is, how to install a connector, and which connectors are supported in a Brinqa Platform.
What is a connector?
A connector is a stand-alone Java application that connects to a data source and retrieves data. With Brinqa connectors, organizations can automate, simplify, and streamline the process of extracting data for analysis while simultaneously accomplishing critical goals of data transformation, normalization, and contextualization.
The Brinqa connector framework formalizes the ways of interconnection between systems via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), database extracts, and structured formats like comma-separated values (CSV), JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), and Extensible Markup Language (XML). The Brinqa connector library includes connectors to hundreds of systems covering configuration management database (CMDB), asset management, vulnerability monitoring, threat intelligence, patch management, identity provider (IDP), intrusion prevention system (IPS), security ratings, ticketing, task management, and more.
Brinqa connector store
The Integrations > Connectors page, also known as the Brinqa connector store, contains the connectors that Brinqa supports:
On this page, you can search for a specific connector by typing in the search bar or you can filter them by their purpose (Application Security, Asset Management, Vulnerability Management, etc.) by clicking the Categories menu.
You can also filter the connectors by selecting Installed to view the connectors you have already installed or Updates to see which connectors have available updates. It is recommended to apply updates to the connectors you have installed as soon as they are made available.
Install a connector
Before you can use a connector in a data integration, you must install it first:
Locate the connector in the connector store (Integrations > Connectors).
Click Install next to the name of the connector.
Repeat these steps for each connector you want to use.