:_mod-docs-content-type: CONCEPT

Configures external storage properties that define configuration options for Kafka Connect connectors.

You can mount ConfigMaps or Secrets into a Kafka Connect pod as environment variables or volumes.
Volumes and environment variables are configured in the `externalConfiguration` property in `KafkaConnect.spec` or `KafkaMirrorMaker2.spec`.

When applied, the environment variables and volumes are available for use when developing your connectors.

For more information, see link:{BookURLDeploying}#assembly-loading-config-with-providers-str[Loading configuration values from external sources^].