# Connecting Optional External Collectors

![External collector integration structure](https://1112912342-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M4QARF6s57qxMrOHDTZ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5fe262596dbb4b5aea65d9228f91d62a6d0e8cb8%2Fviews-settings-21.png?alt=media)

If you already collect flow data into a collector, you can optionally add an external flow collector to the ThousandEyes flow process. This allows you to send your flows to another flow collector for ingestion into additional network flow analysis tools while simultaneously ingesting them into ThousandEyes.

## Add External Flow Collector

![External Collector Management panel](https://1112912342-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M4QARF6s57qxMrOHDTZ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-87346fccf10fa936c9f6d74734bcf3e090a04b2b%2Fviews-settings-15.png?alt=media)

To add an external flow collector:

1. Go to **Traffic Insights > Settings**.
2. Select the **Forwarders** tab.
3. Click **External Collector Management** in the top right.
4. In the panel, click **+ Add New External Collector**.
5. Enter the collector's name, IP address and port.

   ![Create External Collector panel](https://1112912342-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M4QARF6s57qxMrOHDTZ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1feca6375530ef0e8c4617565217f00681527d7e%2Fviews-settings-16.png?alt=media)
6. Click **Save**.

## Enable Collector on Forwarder

![Edit Forwarder panel](https://1112912342-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M4QARF6s57qxMrOHDTZ%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-697d8f89278c1e5f5a26f9776af37092ba819f8b%2Fviews-settings-9.png?alt=media)

To enable an external collector on a forwarder and/or modify listening ports:

1. Go to **Traffic Insights > Settings**.
2. Select the **Forwarders** tab.
3. On your chosen forwarder, click the ellipsis (...) and select Edit.
4. In the panel, change the TCP or UDP listening ports, and/or...
5. Enable an external collector by sliding the toggle to Enabled.
6. Select the external collector from the subsequent dropdown.
7. Click **Save**.