Connect to Data Center instances with cloud connector
This page refers to application links between Atlassian apps only. For more info about links to third-party apps, check out OAuth 2.0 (3LO) apps.
Apart from linking Confluence to Atlassian apps using OAuth 2.0, organization admins can connect Confluence to Jira Data Center using cloud connector. This leverages the existing Connected sources infrastructure in Atlassian Administration while centralizing setup and reducing manual configuration steps. This isn’t a new authentication protocol. When you create a connection through this path, Atlassian uses cloud connector to create the underlying OAuth 2.0 application link.
Before you begin
Make sure all of the following are true before you start:
Supported Data Center versions: To be able to connect via OAuth 2.0, you must have the following Data Center versions:
Jira Data Center 11.3 (LTS)
Administrator permissions: You should either be an organization admin or a Confluence Cloud site admin to perform this action.
Same organization: The Data Center instance should be connected to your organization in Atlassian Administration, and your Confluence Cloud site should belong to the same organization as the Data Center instances. Read how to connect your Data Center instance
Network setup: Your network setup should allow the required communication between Cloud and Data Center, either directly or through an application tunnel where supported.
Connect Confluence Cloud to a Data Center instance
You can connect your Cloud and Data Center instances either via Confluence administration or Atlassian Administration. Both options will redirect you to the application links screen in Confluence to complete your setup.
Option 1: Via Confluence administration
Follow these steps if you’re a site admin.
Go to Confluence administration, Settings, then Data management.
Select Application links.
Select Create link, then Connect to a Data Center app using cloud connector.
Select a cloud connector from the dropdown. If you don’t see your Data Center, you will need to connect it. Read how to connect your Data Center instance.
In the Review link screen, confirm the details and select Continue.
Select the permission scope that is required for the link request.
Option 2: Via Atlassian Administration
Follow these steps if you’re an organization admin.
To create the connection:
Go to Atlassian Administration.
Select Data management, then Data sources, then Connected sources.
Find the existing connection to your Data Center instance.
Select Connect app, then Confluence.
Select the Confluence Cloud site you want to connect.
You will be redirected to Confluence administration. Follow the steps in Option 1: Via Confluence administration section to complete the setup.
Accept the application link request in Jira Data Center
After you complete the setup from either option in the Cloud, the link request should be accepted on the Data Center side. You need to be a Jira Data Center admin to perform this action.
To accept the link request:
Log into your Data Center instance.
Select the gear icon (⚙), then Applications.
Select Application links, then the Cloud connectors tab.
Find the link request from your cloud instance, then select Review request.
5. Review the scopes requested by the incoming link. Make sure the scopes accepted in Data Center match the scopes requested on the cloud side, then select Accept. Your Confluence Cloud and the Data Center instance are now connected.
Manage the connection
After the connection is created, admins can manage it from the relevant admin surfaces.
Rotate credentials: Use this action if credentials expire or need to be refreshed.
Delete connector: Use this action to remove the connection.
Note: Credential rotation can take a short time to complete. During rotation, the link may appear in an in-progress or disconnected state before returning to normal.
Troubleshooting connection issues
Tunnel selection is unavailable in Atlassian Administration
You may not see the same tunnel options as seen in Confluence administration. We recommend that you verify whether the Data Center instance is public or requires a tunnel, then use the appropriate connection option (option 1 or 2). Read about connecting to Data Center using application tunnels
Credential rotation seems slow
The credential rotation is asynchronous and may take time to finish. You can try refreshing after a while. The status should return to Connected. If it doesn’t complete even after multiple refresh attempts, contact support.
Was this helpful?