> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cognite.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# About data integration with connectors

> Learn how connectors enable bidirectional data integration between source systems and Cognite Data Fusion (CDF) with prebuilt Cognite connectors or custom solutions.

The prebuilt connectors can **stream or sync data bidirectionally** between source systems and the [CDF staging area](/cdf/integration/guides/extraction/raw_explorer) or directly to a [CDF service](/dev/concepts/resource_types) with little or no data transformation.

<Info>
  Connectors maintain data consistency between source systems and CDF through controlled `read` and `write` operations, with appropriate access permissions for bidirectional synchronization.
</Info>

## Cognite connectors

| Connector                                                                                | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [PROSPER connector](/cdf/integration/guides/simulators/connectors/prosper/prosper_setup) | Integrates with the PETEX PROSPER simulator to create process twins for wells and pipelines in CDF. Run multiphase flow simulations with direct data exchange between PROSPER and CDF.                          |
| [GAP connector](/cdf/integration/guides/simulators/connectors/gap/gap_setup)             | Integrates with the PETEX GAP simulator to create process twins for production and injection networks in CDF. Run steady-state network modeling and optimization with direct data exchange between GAP and CDF. |
| [PostgreSQL gateway](/cdf/integration/guides/interfaces/postgres_gateway)                | Ingests data into CDF from ETL tools. This service provides a PostgreSQL interface to CDF and the CDF resource types appear as tables in the PostgreSQL database.                                               |
| [SAP write-back](/cdf/integration/guides/interfaces/sap_writeback)                       | Creates or updates records in your SAP S/4HANA system.                                                                                                                                                          |

### Download installation files

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to the Extractors page">
    Navigate to the <span class="ui-element">Data fusion</span> workspace > <span class="ui-element">Integrate</span> > <span class="ui-element">Extractors</span>.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search and select connector">
    Use the search bar to filter the list of data integration services and select the connector best suited to your integration needs.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Download files">
    Download the **Installation file** and, optionally, the PDF documentation.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame>
  <img class="screenshot" src="https://apps-cdn.cogniteapp.com/@cognite/docs-portal-images/1.0.0/images/cdf/integrations/connectors/download_connector.png" alt="Extractor download page" width="80%" />
</Frame>

## Custom connectors

You can create custom connectors if your integration requirements can't be met by the prebuilt connectors.

### Cognite Python extractor-utils

Use the [Python extractor-utils](https://github.com/cognitedata/python-extractor-utils), an extension of the [Cognite Python SDK](/dev/sdks/python), to develop extractors in Python. For more information, see the [Python extractor-utils SDK documentation](https://cognite-extractor-utils.readthedocs-hosted.com/en/latest).

### Cognite .NET extractor-utils

Use the [.NET extractor-utils](https://github.com/cognitedata/dotnet-extractor-utils) to develop extractors in C#. For more information, see the [.NET utils documentation](https://cognitedata.github.io/dotnet-extractor-utils/tutorials/intro.html).

### Cognite .NET simulator-utils

Use the [.NET simulator-utils](https://github.com/cognitedata/dotnet-simulator-utils) to develop simulator connectors in C#. For more information, see the [.NET utils documentation](https://cognitedata.github.io/dotnet-simulator-utils/docs/create-connector.html).