> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.christiandussol.dev/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.christiandussol.dev/cloud-native/cncf-project-focus/arc-2-opentelemetry.md).

# Episode 5: OpenTelemetry

## **The Unified Observability Pipeline**

OpenTelemetry is the vendor-neutral bet that won. This episode covers the Collector architecture, the reality of auto-instrumentation in a mixed Java/Python estate and how traces and metrics finally talk to each other when the pipeline is right.

<figure><img src="/files/Z8TPBEIs3qaIGVT2NkDE" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### 📎Visual companion

[CNCF Project Focus #5: OpenTelemetry carousel (PDF)](https://github.com/christian-dussol-cloud-native/opentelemetry/blob/main/carousel/CNCF%20Project%20Focus%20%235%20-%20OpenTelemetry.pdf)

### What the episode covers

* OpenTelemetry Collector: receivers, processors, exporters
* Auto-instrumentation in a regulated environment
* Correlating traces with metrics and logs without lock-in
* The migration path from Jaeger-only tracing to full OTel

### Read the deep-dive

* **Medium article**: [OpenTelemetry: vendor-neutral unified Observability for Cloud Native](https://medium.com/@christian.dussol/opentelemetry-vendor-neutral-unified-observability-for-cloud-native-d8fccf4475e9)
* **GitHub lab**: [github.com/christian-dussol-cloud-native/opentelemetry](https://github.com/christian-dussol-cloud-native/opentelemetry)