May 15, 2025

Introduction Apache Kafka has become the backbone of modern data pipelines, enabling real-time data streaming at scale. While Kafka provides many built-in connectors through its Connect API, sometimes you need to create custom connectors to meet specific requirements. In this post, I’ll walk through creating a custom HTTP source connector that pulls data from REST APIs into Kafka topics. Why Build a Custom HTTP Connector? There are several existing HTTP connectors for Kafka, but you might need a custom one when: Prerequisites Before we begin, ensure you have: Step 1: Set Up the Project Structure Create a new Maven project with the following structure: Step 2: Add Dependencies to pom.xml Step 3: Implement the Configuration Class Create HttpSourceConfig.java to define your connector’s configuration: Step 4: Implement the Connector Class Create HttpSourceConnector.java: Step 5: Implement the Task Class Create HttpSourceTask.java: Step 6: Build and Package the Connector Run the following Maven command to build the connector: mvn clean package This will create a JAR file in the target directory. Step 7: Deploy the Connector To deploy your custom connector: Advanced Considerations Conclusion Building a custom HTTP source connector for Kafka gives you complete control over how data flows from REST APIs into your Kafka topics. While this example provides a basic implementation, you can extend it to handle more complex scenarios specific to your use case. Remember to thoroughly test your connector under various failure scenarios and monitor its performance in production. The Kafka Connect framework provides a solid foundation, allowing you to focus on the business logic of your data integration needs. Ready to Streamline Your Data Pipelines? If you’re looking to implement custom Kafka connectors or build robust data streaming solutions, Alephys can help you architect the perfect system tailored to your business needs and ease you through your process Whether you’re integrating complex APIs, optimizing data flow performance, or designing an enterprise-scale streaming architecture, our team of data experts will handle the technical heavy lifting. We help you unlock the full potential of real-time data while you focus on driving business value.Author: Siva Munaga, Solution Architect at Alephys. I specialize in building scalable data infrastructure and streaming solutions that power modern applications. Let’s connect on LinkedIn to discuss your Kafka and data integration challenges!