OTel Collector Contrib version 0.95.0 disables Trace Metrics computation in the Datadog Exporter by default.

In versions 0.95.0 and later, the calculation of Trace Metrics is handled by the Datadog Connector. This change ensures that:

• Trace Metrics are consistently calculated on 100% of the trace data, even when sampling is applied.
• Moving calculation to the Datadog Connector better aligns with the OpenTelemetry recommended architecture.

To continue receiving Trace Metrics, configure the Datadog Connector in the OpenTelemetry Collector.

Migrate to OpenTelemetry Collector version 0.95.0+

Before proceeding with the upgrade to the OTel Collector versions 0.95.0+:

• Review the release notes to understand the nature of the changes.
• Assess how these changes may affect your current configuration and deployment.
• Consider reaching out to the Datadog support team for guidance and assistance in planning your upgrade strategy.

To upgrade:

1. Include datadog/connector in the list of configured connectors.
2. Include datadog/connector and datadog/exporter in the list of the configured exporters in your OpenTelemetry traces pipeline.
3. Include datadog/connector in the list of the configured receivers in your OpenTelemetry metrics pipeline.
4. Include datadog/exporter in the list of the configured exporters in your OpenTelemetry metrics pipeline.

Example configuration

Below is an example of an OpenTelemetry configuration before and after migration.

Before migration:

// Legacy default configuration before v0.95.0
receivers:
  otlp:
    protocols:
      http:
      grpc:
processors:
  batch:
exporters:
  datadog:
    api:
      key: <api key here>
service:
  pipelines:
    traces:
      receivers: [otlp]
      processors: [batch]
      exporters: [datadog/exporter]

After migration:

// New default configuration after v0.95.0
receivers:
  otlp:
    protocols:
      http:
      grpc:
processors:
  batch:
connectors:
  datadog/connector:
exporters:
  datadog/exporter:
    api:
      key: <api key here>
service:
  pipelines:
    traces:
      receivers: [otlp]
      processors: [batch]
      exporters: [datadog/connector, datadog/exporter]
    metrics:
      receivers: [datadog/connector, otlp] // The connector provides the metrics to your metrics pipeline
      processors: [batch]
      exporters: [datadog/exporter]

Vendor-specific Open-Telemetry distributions

If you’re running a vendor-specific OpenTelemetry distribution that does not include the Datadog Connector, revert to the previous Trace Connector behavior by disabling the exporter.datadogexporter.DisableAPMStats feature gate.

otelcol --config=config.yaml --feature-gates=-exporter.datadogexporter.DisableAPMStats

For questions or assistance, contact Datadog support.