---
title: "Local Tags vs Remote Tags"
slug: "local-tags-vs-remote-tags"
updated: 2026-02-24T16:28:26Z
published: 2026-02-24T16:28:26Z
canonical: "docs.n3uron.com/local-tags-vs-remote-tags"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.n3uron.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Local Tags vs Remote Tags

## Local Tags vs Remote Tags

The licensing of N3uron modules is categorized into two types: **Local Tags (Local Licenses)** and **Remote Tags (Remote Licenses)**.

### Local Licenses

In a distributed architecture where each node operates independently, we utilize **Local Licenses**.

- **Definition:** A N3uron module is considered Local when it processes data originating from its own host node (e.g., through physical drivers like Modbus Client, OPC UA Client or Siemens Client).
- **Use Case:** If an Edge node collects data from a local PLC and sends it directly to a third-party MQTT Broker or a SCADA system, the **OPC UA Client**, **Modbus Client**, **MQTT Client** or **OPC UA Server** modules in that node are licensed as **Local**.
- **Value:** This model is ideal for standalone sites where data processing and external communication must be handled on-site without dependency on a central hub.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/54093ab5-6b22-4542-a265-04377931f11a/Images/Documentation/Local Tags.png)

### Remote Licenses

When employing a **Centralized Architecture** (using [**N3uron Links**](/v122/docs/platform-links#introduction-to-links)), the central node often requires **Remote Licenses**.

- **Definition:** A module is classified as **Remote** when it acts upon data received from other N3uron nodes via **Links**.
- **The "Data Origin" Rule:** If the Central Node uses a module (e.g., **Historian, MQTT Client, Derived Tags**) to process, store or forward data that was collected by Edge nodes, that module must be licensed as **Remote**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/54093ab5-6b22-4542-a265-04377931f11a/Images/Documentation/Architecture with Links.png)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/54093ab5-6b22-4542-a265-04377931f11a/Images/Documentation/Remote Tags.png)

**Real-time visualization of local and remote tags on the N3uron DMZ22 node. Remote data is pulled from the REM22 node via Links.**