---
title: "Channels"
url: https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/data-streams/channels-overview/
description: "Create, configure, and manage Data Streams channels including access control, testing data flow, and monitoring channel activity."
last_updated: 2026-10-05T15:13:57Z
service: Cloud Scale
type: general
---

# Channels

Channels are the communication layer between [publishers](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/data-streams/introduction/#publisher) and [subscribers](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/data-streams/introduction/#subscriber) in a [Data Streams workflow](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/data-streams/introduction/#data-streams-architecture). Publishers send data to a channel, and subscribers receive the streamed data from that channel in real time.

Channel creation and management can be performed only from the [Catalyst Console](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/getting-started/navigating-in-the-console/). After a channel is created, publishers can send data to it using the Catalyst SDK or the REST API, and subscribers connect to it over WebSocket connections to receive the published data.

Data streamed through a channel is delivered in individual messages. For every message received, the subscriber must send an acknowledgement to receive the next batch from the queue. Each message shared through the stream is assigned its own unique [streaming ID](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/data-streams/key-concepts/#message-event-structure).

## Channel Configuration

Each channel is uniquely identified by a **Channel Name** and a **Channel ID**.

- **Channel Name** is the user-defined name assigned when the channel is created. You can find the Channel Name in the channel header.
- **Channel ID** is the unique ID generated by Catalyst when the channel is created. The Channel ID can be found in the channel dashboard General Details section. You will use the Channel ID when interacting with Data Streams through the SDK or API.

## Channel Operations

You can perform the following operations on Data Streams channels from the Catalyst Console:

### Create a Channel

Create a new Data Streams channel with access control configuration (User Roles or Custom Logic). Channels are uniquely identified by a Channel Name and Channel ID.

Refer to [Create a Channel](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/data-streams/implementation/create-channel/) for detailed steps.

### Manage Channels

Update the channel name, modify access control settings, or permanently delete channels that are no longer needed. When the channel name is updated, the Channel ID remains unchanged.

Refer to [Manage Channels](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/data-streams/implementation/manage-channels/) for detailed steps.

### Test Data Flow

Verify channel setup by testing publishing and subscribing directly from the Catalyst Console without writing code. The Test Data Flow section allows you to simulate both a publisher and a subscriber, send sample payloads, and receive streamed data with acknowledgement workflow.

Refer to [Test Data Flow](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/data-streams/implementation/test-data-flow-console/) for detailed steps.

### Setup Access Control

Configure access control to ensure only authorized subscribers can receive streamed data. Data Streams supports two access control types: User Roles (for Catalyst Authentication users with predefined roles) and Custom Logic (for custom authentication using Advanced I/O functions).

Refer to [Setup Access Control](https://docs.catalyst.zoho.com/en/cloud-scale/help/data-streams/implementation/setup-access-control/) for detailed configuration.