# Assigning Nodes to Data Groups Using User Labels

> Create Sisense data groups. Data groups enable you to control how your resources are used when building ElastiCubes or when your users query ElastiCubes. Data Groups are collections of ElastiCubes that make it easy to manage your resources for multiple instances of ElastiCubes. Data Groups allow you to assign and split a system's resources between the ElastiCubes according to your use-case.

*Source: https://docs.sisense.com/main/SisenseLinux/assigning-nodes-to-data-groups.htm*

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Last updated: June 10, 2026

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| [Tier](https://www.sisense.com/pricing/#pricing) | [Deployment](https://docs.sisense.com/main/SisenseLinux/introduction-to-sisense-cloud-managed-services.md#ComparisonofManagedCloudandSelfHosted) |
| Enterprise | On-Prem |

## Overview

The User Label feature allows you to assign nodes to Data Groups using custom labels. This feature is available only on cluster installations. By adding a persistent label to a node, you can define its role within a Data Group as either a "build node" or a "query node". Nodes cannot have both roles simultaneously.

## Prerequisites

- A Sisense cluster installation.
- Kubernetes (k8s) compliant label names.
- Persistent labels that remain after node rotation.
- Nodes labeled with either `build` or `query` values.

## Assigning Nodes to Data Groups Using User Labels

### Adding a Label to a Node

1. Assign a label to the node using your preferred method (e.g., Kubernetes CLI, node management tools).
2. Ensure the label name follows Kubernetes naming conventions.
3. Set the label’s value to either `build` or `query`.

**Example:**

- To assign a node as a build node, add the label `user_label_2=build`.
- To assign a node as a query node, add the label `user_label_2=query`.

  ![User Label Example](https://docs.sisense.com/main/Resources/Images/User_Label_Example_735x384.png)

### Configuring the Data Group

1. Open the **Edit Data Group** window.
2. Click **More** to display more settings.

   ![EditDataGroupMore](https://docs.sisense.com/main/Resources/Images/EditDataGroupMore_515x430.png)
3. Add the name of the label (e.g., `user_label_2`) in the designated field.

   ![EditDataGroup More](https://docs.sisense.com/main/Resources/Images/EditDataGroup_More2_516x734.png)
4. Click **Apply** to apply and save the changes.

After a few minutes, the node will be assigned the appropriate role within the Data Group.

## Combining User Labels with Drop-down Node Selection

The User Label feature and the drop-down node selection can be used within the same Data Group, but it is not recommended.

- If a node is manually added via the Data Group drop-down while a user label is assigned to the group, Sisense will automatically apply the user label to the selected node.
- If Sisense does not have permission to assign persistent labels, the assignment may be temporary or fail entirely.

**Example Scenario:**

1. A Data Group is configured with the user label `user_label_2`.
2. A query node is manually added via the drop-down menu.
3. Sisense assigns `user_label_2=query` to the node.
4. The node is now associated with the Data Group based on this label.

Note:

- Label updates take several minutes to reflect in the Data Group.
- Nodes can only be assigned one of two roles: **build** or **query**.
- In Sisense-managed cloud (EKS) installations, labels should be created using EKS node group management.