# Metadata
Metadata is added to many object to specify either common or system specific parameters. Some meta-data parameters are shared between systems, such as defining a name. Other metadata is specific to a 3:rd party system. Often namespaced with the system name and a dot.
Metadata is defined as a key-value store for information. Both keys and values are always strings.
Metadata exists in two different parts of an object, the normal metadata exist
on a key called meta and then there is some special metadata in the
key protected_meta described below.
At the moment the following data objects have meta and protected meta.
- Function
- Device
- Installation
- Organization
- Installation
# Protected meta
Protected metadata works in the same way as normal meta-data but requires additional permissions to read and manipulate.
Protected meta-data is not readably by the gateway either for security reasons.
Note: Protected meta is exposed as another key in the data-models. Searching for only meta is not recommended.