> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.dbnl.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.dbnl.com/v0.31.x/configuration/data-connections.md).

# Data Connections

Data Connections are how production AI log data is ingested into your DBNL [Deployment](/v0.31.x/platform/deployment.md) as part of the [Data Pipeline](/v0.31.x/configuration/data-pipeline.md). Each [Project](/v0.31.x/workflow/projects.md) has one ingestion method that is set at creation. If you need to change this later you can do this via the [Project settings page](/v0.31.x/workflow/projects.md#modifying-a-project).

<figure><img src="/files/FH5sixjJD7wjvGPFJZFn" alt=""><figcaption><p>Data Connections are how Production AI log data is ingested into DBNL, kicking off the <a href="/pages/nuRy4Sxv6ETLJJUSZUOU">Analytics Workflow</a>.</p></figcaption></figure>

DBNL supports two methods of data ingestion:

* [OTEL Trace Ingestion](/v0.31.x/configuration/data-connections/otel-trace-ingestion.md): Publish OTEL traces directly to DBNL as the product runs.
* [SDK Log Ingestion](/v0.31.x/configuration/data-connections/sdk-log-ingestion.md): Push data manually or as part of a daily orchestration job using the [Python SDK](https://github.com/dbnlAI/docs/blob/main/reference/python-sdk.md).

{% hint style="warning" %}
Regardless of the data ingestion method, make sure your data adheres to the [DBNL Semantic Convention](/v0.31.x/configuration/dbnl-semantic-convention.md) to enable the richest analysis of the data.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/Ameu3cdf8YRZzEUORGrl" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

| Ingestion Type       | Pros                                                                                                                                                                                                              | Cons                                                                                                             |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| OTEL Trace Ingestion | <ul><li>Get rich data logged in a few lines of embedded code</li><li>Enables full trace inspection in Logs page</li><li>Automatically maps to DBNL Semantic Convention if using standard semantic types</li></ul> | <ul><li>Cannot backfill data, requiring a full week before first Insights</li></ul>                              |
| SDK Log Ingestion    | <ul><li>Most flexible, can contain a full trace as part of a log line</li><li>Can backfill previously logged data</li></ul>                                                                                       | <ul><li>Requires Python SDK code to be written and scheduled as part of external orchestration service</li></ul> |

### Managing Data Connections

#### Creating a New Data Connection

From the [Namespace](/v0.31.x/platform/administration.md#namespaces) landing page click on "Data Connections" on the left panel. On the Data Connections landing page "+ Add Data Connection" in the upper right. Provide a required name for the Data Connection and an optional description. All Data Connections will be available to any [User](/v0.31.x/platform/administration.md#users) creating a [Project](/v0.31.x/workflow/projects.md) in the [Namespace](/v0.31.x/platform/administration.md#namespaces).

<figure><img src="/files/AZszJdOnY8fBxtpJ7f4e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>