---
title: "Asset Uniqueness"
canonical: "https://support.appfire.com/space/AIP/10256905/Asset%20Uniqueness"
format: markdown
---
> Macro (aura-html)
Asset uniqueness is a feature that helps ensure each asset in your system is distinct and identifiable. It prevents the creation of duplicate assets with the same key characteristics. This is important for data accuracy and efficient asset management.
### How does Asset Uniqueness work?
When you create or update an asset, the system checks for existing assets with the same combination of critical attributes. It does this by building and running search queries based on predefined rules. These rules specify which attributes and their values are essential for identifying unique assets.
Here's a step-by-step breakdown:
1. **System Builds Search Query:** The system creates a search query using the defined rule's attributes and their corresponding values for the new or updated asset.
2. **Search for Existing Matches:** The system runs this search query across all existing assets of that type.
3. **Duplicate Detection:** If the search finds an existing asset with the same combination of attribute values, a warning message pops up to alert you of a potential duplicate.
### Configure asset uniqueness
1. From the app's top menu, click **Asset Type Schemes**.
2. Select an Asset Type Scheme, and click **Configure**.
3. Select an **Asset Type**.
4. Click the cog icon on the left-hand side of the screen. A menu opens.
5. Click **Define Asset Uniqueness**.
6. Click the **Create New Asset Uniqueness** button. The *Define Asset Uniqueness* pop-up will appear.
7. Fill out the details.
| **Options** | **Description** |
| --- | --- |
| **Definition Name** | Provide a distinct name for the uniqueness definition. |
| **Attributes** | Select the attribute that will determine uniqueness. You can select multiple attributes for `AND` search.
**Example – **If the Asset Type is `Computer`, you might select attributes like Serial Number, Status, and City.
> Macro (nested-table) |
| **Asset Limit** | Number of asset occurrences that have the same attribute values as edited/created assets. |
| **Allow Empty Value** | Decide if empty values in these attributes should be included in the uniqueness check. |
9. Click **Save**.
### Example: Defining Uniqueness for `Computer` Asset Type
In this example, two Asset Uniqueness definitions called `IP and Location Uniqueness` and `Serial Number Uniqueness` have been created for the `Computer` asset type.
The asset that we want to create contains the attributes below:
Example 1:
| **Field** | **Value** |
| --- | --- |
| IP v1 | [1](http://192.168.1.1/)92.168.1.1 |
| IPv6 | 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 |
| Location | Istanbul |
| Serial Number | SN12356 |
In this case, two different queries will be prepared and executed by Asset Uniqueness:
| **ID** | **Query** |
| --- | --- |
| 65 | Asset Type = Computer AND IP v1 = 192.168.1.1 AND IPv6 = 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 AND Location = Istanbul |
| 64 | Asset Type = Computer AND Serial Number = SN12356 |
If one asset exists in the `Computer` type with the Serial Number *SN123456*, a warning message will be shown:
**Example 2:**
| **Field** | **Value** |
| --- | --- |
| IP v1 | [1](http://192.168.1.1/)92.168.1.1 |
| IPv6 | |
| Location | Istanbul |
| Serial Number | |
When *Allow Empty Value* is checked, the empty attributes will not be considered.
| **ID** | **Query** |
| --- | --- |
| 65 | Asset Type = Computer AND IP v1 = 192.168.1.1 AND Location = Istanbul |
| 64 | This query is not prepared because allow empty value is checked and the attribute value is empty. |