Data collection endpoints in Azure Monitor

Data Collection Endpoints (DCEs) provide a connection for certain data sources of Azure Monitor. This article provides an overview of data collection endpoints including their contents and structure and how you can create and work with them.

Data sources that use DCEs

The following data sources currently use DCEs:

• Azure Monitor agent when network isolation is required
• Custom logs

Components of a data collection endpoint

A data collection endpoint includes the following components.

Component	Description
Configuration access endpoint	The endpoint used to access the configuration service to fetch associated data collection rules (DCR) for Azure Monitor agent. Example: <unique-dce-identifier>.<regionname>.handler.control
Logs ingestion endpoint	The endpoint used to ingest logs to Log Analytics workspace(s). Example: <unique-dce-identifier>.<regionname>.ingest
Network Access Control Lists (ACLs)	Network access control rules for the endpoints

Regionality

Data collection endpoints are ARM resources created within specific regions. An endpoint in a given region can only be associated with machines in the same region, although you can have more than one endpoint within the same region as per your needs.

Limitations

Data collection endpoints only support Log Analytics workspaces as a destination for collected data. Custom Metrics (preview) collected and uploaded via the Azure Monitor Agent are not currently controlled by DCEs nor can they be configured over private links.

Create data collection endpoint

Important

If agents will connect to your DCE, it must be created in the same region. If you have agents in different regions, then you'll need multiple DCEs.

Azure portal

1. In the Azure Monitor menu in the Azure portal, select Data Collection Endpoint from the Settings section. Click Create to create a new Data Collection Rule and assignment.

2. Click Create to create a new endpoint. Provide a Rule name and specify a Subscription, Resource Group and Region. This specifies where the DCE will be created.

3. Click Review + create to review the details of the data collection endpoint. Click Create to create it.

REST API

Create data collection endpoint(s) using the DCE REST APIs.

Create associations between endpoints to your target machines or resources, using the DCRA REST APIs.

Sample data collection endpoint

See Sample data collection endpoint for a sample data collection endpoint.

Next steps

• Associate endpoint to machines
• Add endpoint to AMPLS resource