<br/>
## Create an API key
* Create an account in Confluent Cloud
* Create a key in Confluent Cloud for connection
* 
* Use Global access
* 
* There will show important credential
```
API key: ****************
API secret: ***************************************
```
<br/>
## Thingsboard setting
* Setup a generator in a rule chain for test
* Use Kafka node to connect with the Confluent Cloud

<br/>
* Config in Kafka node

* Topic pattern: enter your topic name
* Bootstrap servers: enter your servers
* Other: use default setting

* The most important setting is in other properties
* Add four params:
* ssl.endpoint.identification.algorithm: `https`
* security.protocol: `SASL_SSL`
* sasl.mechanism: `PLAIN`
* sasl.jaas.config:
`org.apache.kafka.common.security.plain.PlainLoginModule required username="API key" password="API secret";`
<br/>
## Connect Success
* If connection is successful, it will show as below (in the topic)


<br/>
## Reference
[Kafka support - Connect to External Systems in Confluent Cloud](https://docs.confluent.io/cloud/current/connectors/index.html#supported-connectors)
[Confluent Cloud API keys](https://docs.confluent.io/cloud/current/access-management/authenticate/api-keys/api-keys.html)
[Connection confluent-thingsboard](https://github.com/davetroiano/confluent-thingsboard)
[Connect Confluent CLI to Confluent Cloud Cluster](https://docs.confluent.io/confluent-cli/current/connect.html)