> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/traffic-insights/traffic-insights-configuration-guide/connecting-external-collectors.md).

# Forwarding to External Collectors

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 your existing (or another) flow collector for ingestion into additional network flow analysis tools while simultaneously ingesting them into ThousandEyes.

![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)

For information about collecting flows into ThousandEyes, see [Configuring Forwarders](https://docs.thousandeyes.com/product-documentation/traffic-insights/traffic-insights-configuration-guide/configuring-forwarders).

## Adding an External Flow Collector

To add an 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)

1. Go to **Traffic Insights > Settings**.
2. Select the **Forwarders** screen.
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**.

## Enabling an External Collector on a Forwarder

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

![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)

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