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# Validate and activate the Kafka connection

> Validate the Kafka connection and activate it for use in meters.

Validate the Kafka connection and activate it for use in meters.

Click **Validate** to run connectivity and permission checks against your Kafka cluster using the connection settings you configured.

The test connection uses a 15-second timeout. If your network path or Kafka cluster is slow and the test does not complete within 15 seconds, validation fails with a timeout error.

When testing a Kafka connection, Zuora:

* Creates a Kafka `AdminClient` with the provided configuration.
* Calls `describeCluster()` to validate connectivity and authentication.
* Optionally validates that a specific topic exists and is accessible when you provide a topic in the test parameters.

If validation passes, a **Validation Successful** message is displayed and the **Activate Connection** button is enabled.

Click **Activate Connection** to activate the Kafka connection

The connection is now active and available for selection in Mediation meters.

Updating the configuration of an active Kafka connection creates a new inactive version. When you activate the new version, previous versions are deactivated so that only one version is active at a time.

## Troubleshooting

When you include a topic in the validation test parameters, Zuora enforces additional constraints on the topic name:

* Maximum length: 249 characters.
* The names `.` and `..` are not allowed.
* Only the following characters are allowed: `a–z`, `A–Z`, `0–9`, `.`, `_`, `-`.

If a topic name violates these rules, validation fails with a topic-validation error.

When validation fails, the error message indicates the category of the failure. Typical categories include:

* **DNS resolution error** – The bootstrap server hostname cannot be resolved; check DNS and hostnames.
* **Connection refused** – The broker is not reachable on the specified port; verify firewall rules and listener ports.
* **TLS/SSL handshake or certificate error** – Issues with truststore/keystore, expired certificates, or hostname mismatch; confirm certificates and truststore contents.
* **SASL authentication error** – Invalid username/password or JAAS configuration; verify credentials and mechanism.
* **Topic not found / Not authorized** – The topic does not exist or your user lacks permissions; create the topic or adjust Kafka ACLs.
* **Connection timed out** – Network latency or blocking firewall; check connectivity and consider retriggering the test.