Categorized machine data FAQ

13 Oct 2026
Knowledge

Description

This article addresses the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Categorized machine data.

General

What is categorized machine data?

Can I create custom data categories?

No, it is not yet possible to create custom data categories. If you're interested in this, please let us know by submitting your feedback at roadmap.ixon.cloud.

How do I add or edit log items in the library?

For a smooth deployment, we recommend you first set up a single asset with the correct log items. This way you can test and verify that the metrics are correct and functional before you apply it on a larger scale. Then, you can create one or multiple smaller library assets from that asset, as explained in Manage your assets with the asset library.

If instead you wish to add or edit metrics directly in the library asset, you'll notice that an item's Variable field does not offer a way to select a variable. That is because a device cannot be linked to a library asset and as a result there are no variables available for the library asset. However, you can manually enter the variable's full identifier.

The syntax of the full identifier is:

DATA_SOURCE_IDENTIFIER.VARIABLE_IDENTIFIER

Look up the identifier of the data source in a device's data source settings and the identifier of the variable in the variable settings and then enter the full identifier.

For example:

data-source.product-quality

Data loss

Which actions will result in permanent loss of data?

It is recommended to avoid the following actions after you've correctly configured your asset, to avoid unintentional loss of data.

Action	Data loss details
Unlinking the device from the asset.	This will automatically and immediately delete all previously logged data for all categorized log items on the asset and all its sub-assets. This cannot be undone. Once a device has been linked again and a correct configuration has been pushed to the edge gateway, it will start logging new data.
Editing a categorized log item's configuration by changing its variable to a different variable.	This will automatically and immediately delete all previously logged data for that categorized log item. This cannot be undone. Once a device has been linked again and a correct configuration has been pushed to the edge gateway, it will start logging new data.
Removing a variable or log trigger that is used in an existing categorized log item.	This will automatically and immediately delete all previously logged data for that categorized log item. This cannot be undone. Once a device has been linked again and a correct configuration has been pushed to the edge gateway, it will start logging new data.
Removing a data source with a variable or log trigger that is used in an existing categorized log item.	This will automatically and immediately delete all previously logged data for that categorized log item. This cannot be undone. Once a device has been linked again and a correct configuration has been pushed to the edge gateway, it will start logging new data.
Removing a categorized log item.	This will automatically and immediately delete all previously logged data for that categorized log item. This cannot be undone.
Removing the asset or device.	This will automatically and immediately delete all previously logged data for all categorized log items on the asset and all its sub-assets. This cannot be undone.

Data category: Alarms

How are items logged?

Items are logged on change up to 3600 changes per hour per item. Any more changes within this time frame are not logged. This cannot be configured, but should be more than sufficient for tracking your state changes.

No initial value is logged. Meaning, once configured, the next value change will be the first value that is logged.

Each item can track up to 500 different unique values.

Currently no retention policy is set. Meaning the values are stored indefinitely. This will change in the future.

Data category: Settings

How are items logged?

Items are logged on change up to 600 changes per hour per item. Any more changes within this time frame are not logged. This cannot be configured, but should be more than sufficient for tracking your state changes.

No initial value is logged. Meaning, once configured, the next value change will be the first value that is logged.

Currently no retention policy is set. Meaning the values are stored indefinitely. This will change in the future.

Data category: States

How are items logged?

No initial value is logged. Meaning, once configured, the next value change will be the first value that is logged.

Each item can track up to 500 different unique values.

Currently no retention policy is set. Meaning the values are stored indefinitely. This will change in the future.

Data category: Wear Counters

How are items logged?

This depends on how you have configured your log items. For more information, see Configure log items in the Wear Counters data category.

How is the expected limit date calculated?

The date on which the wear counter is expected to reach its configured limit is calculated using linear extrapolation, as depicted below.

The red line indicates the logged values over time. The black lines indicate the linear extrapolation based on the logged values, indicating that the calculated date can vary based on the logged data. The most accurate results can be achieved with linear counters or counters with regular time intervals.

Data category: Metrics

How are items logged?

This depends on how you have configured your log items. For more information, see Configure log items in the Metrics data category.

Still using tags?

Tags or categorized log items, what's the difference?

Tags are still the current way of logging machine data. Categorized log items is the new way of logging machine data and can already be used now.

Categorized log items provide the same functional foundation as tags, with additional benefits:

It enables you to organize your log items in data categories (including alarms, settings, states, wear counters, and the general metrics), which can make it easier to configure because certain configuration details will be handled for you. Organizing log items in data categories also provides specialized visualization (e.g. alarm history, or state occurrences), making it easier for you to read and analyze the information.
It requires the use of assets, which enables you to organize your data per machine part or section instead of having a single flat list of tags lacking clear structure, but the latter is still possible.
The asset library enables you to more easily apply changes on scale to your entire fleet or to new machines added to your fleet.
The AI Assistant can analyze data logged through categorized log items to produce answers and visualize results.

I have tags configured. Can I migrate them to data categories?

This is not yet possible without the loss of data. If you do not wish to retain any logged data, you do have the option to remove your tags, which will delete the logged data, and then create new items in data categories. For instructions, see Historical data logging.

Can I use tags and categorized log items at the same time?

Yes. If in the Studio the selected preview device has both tags and categorized log items configured, you have the option in historical data components to select which type you'd like to add. If either only metrics or only tags are configured on the selected preview device, such manual option is not available and instead the interface will only display the relevant fields. If no preview device is selected, you'll be informed that one needs to be selected first. Note that some components are specifically made for categorized log items and cannot be used with tags.

Will data logging with tags continue to work?

Yes, if you have both tags and categorized log items configured, data will be logged to both.

Will existing pages continue to work?

Yes, if you have both tags and categorized log items configured, existing pages with historical data components that have been configured for tags will continue to work.

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Categorized machine data FAQ

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Categorized machine data FAQ

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