---
title: "Configure the collection service"
slug: "configure-the-collection-service"
abstract: "How to configure the configuration files that control the Universal Tracker collection service."
---
# Configure the collection service

There are three configuration files that control the Universal Tracker (UT) collection service.

> [!note]
> Use patch files to change configurations. Do not edit the configuration files directly.

The configuration files are:

1. `<website_name>\sitecore\Sitecore.Tracking\Config\config.xml`

    This configuration file controls how events that public clients submit to the collection service are mapped to the corresponding xConnect events (Sitecore Marketing definition events). If a public event submits data, and the event type is unknown, there is a risk of data loss or improper parsing.

    You can specify additional types by:

    1. creating an appropriate item and publish it according to the Deploy Marketing definitions topic in the Sitecore Installation guide.
    2. adding the published type to the `config.xml` file, in the `<Settings><Sitecore.Tracking><TypeMappings>` section. You must add it as a fully qualified name with the syntax `AssemblyName.Namespace.ClassName, AssemblyName`. For example, use this code to add a type named `event`:

        ```xml
        <event>Sitecore.XConnect.Event,Sitecore.XConnect</event>
        ```

    Clients can now submit HTTP requests with the type `event`. For more information on configuring and using types, see [Configure custom xConnect Models](https://doc.sitecore.com/xp/en/developers/104/sitecore-experience-platform/configure-custom-xconnect-models.html "Configure custom xConnect models").

2. `<website_name>\sitecore\Sitecore.Tracking.Plugin.Status\Config\config.xml`

    This configuration file controls the UT Status plugin, which displays the status page. By default, the setting *LocalAccessOnly* is set to *true*,which means the status controller only accepts requests from the local machine. External requests will return an HTTP 404 (not found) error. Set *LocalAccessOnly* to *false* to allow external requests.

3. `<website_name>\sitecore\Sitecore.Tracking.SqlServer\Config\config.xml`

    This configuration file is a part of UT SQL. It contains the *ConnectionString* that specifies the connection to the UT SQL  database.  

    > [!note]
    > You must specify the same *ConnectionString* for the collection service and the processing service.