---
title: Can an Asset Be Related to Multiple Root Assets?
description: A child asset can be related to more than one root asset, such as via an IP or DNS server. However, it can only be attached to one parent asset — specifically, the one to which Attaxion traces its lineage back.
---

[Skip to content](https://support.attaxion.com/can-an-asset-be-related-to-multiple-root-assets#main-content)

English

Show submenu for translations

[![ATX-resized_Prancheta 1-1.png\]](https://support.attaxion.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ATX-resized_Prancheta%201-1.png?height=40&name=ATX-resized_Prancheta%201-1.png)](https://attaxion.com/)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- English
  
  Show submenu for translations
- [Go to attaxion.com](https://attaxion.com/)

[Go to attaxion.com](https://attaxion.com/)

 How can we help you?

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

1. [Knowledge Base](https://support.attaxion.com/?hsLang=en)
2. [Assets and Attack Surface](https://support.attaxion.com/assets-and-attack-surface?hsLang=en)
3. [Root Assets and Discovery](https://support.attaxion.com/assets-and-attack-surface?hsLang=en#root-assets-and-discovery)

# Can an Asset Be Related to Multiple Root Assets?

## A child asset can be related to more than one root asset, such as via an IP or DNS server. However, it can only be attached to one parent asset — specifically, the one to which Attaxion traces its lineage back.

### **How Are Root Assets Assigned to Child Assets?**

When you [add a root asset](https://support.attaxion.com/how-to-add-and-verify-a-root-asset-in-attaxion?hsLang=en), Attaxion uses it to find associated assets and then attaches newly discovered assets to that root. 

![A child asset is attached to its parent asset, through which it was discovered](https://support.attaxion.com/hs-fs/hubfs/graph-assets-connected-1.png?width=670&height=311&name=graph-assets-connected-1.png)

For instance, using asset discovery methods (e.g., reverse DNS lookup and reverse WHOIS lookup) on example.com may lead to the discovery of a.example\[.\]org. In this case, a.example\[.\]org will be attached to example\[.\]com. 

### **Why Is an Asset Related to More Than One Root Asset?**

An asset can be related to one or more root assets if it’s discovered through multiple roots. In the above example, if later example\[.\]org is added or discovered, it might also lead to the rediscovery of a.example.org (previously discovered through example\[.\]com). This indicates that the asset has a traceable connection to both roots, either via IP, WHOIS, or DNS server. 

However, this doesn’t change the fact that a.example\[.\]org was originally discovered through example\[.\]com, so Attaxion will attach a.example\[.\]org to example\[.\]com as a child asset.

![Child assets can be associated with multiple root assets](https://support.attaxion.com/hs-fs/hubfs/graph-multiple-assets-connected.png?width=670&height=311&name=graph-multiple-assets-connected.png)

### **What Happens To An Asset When You Remove One Root?**

When a root asset is removed, Attaxion checks if any of the assets connected to it can be reattached to a different root. In our sample scenario above, if the original root — example\[.\]com— is removed, Attaxion checks if a.example\[.\]org that has been attached to it can still be connected to something. It knows that it is also associated with example.org, so the asset will be reassigned to the remaining root.

If there are no other roots, the child asset will be deleted together with its root asset that you removed.

### **How to Remove an Asset with Multiple Roots**

 An asset with multiple roots can be removed by [deleting all of the root assets](https://support.attaxion.com/how-to-remove-a-root-asset-from-attaxion?hsLang=en) it’s connected to. Alternatively, you can [set the asset in question as a false positive](https://support.attaxion.com/how-to-set-an-asset-as-a-false-positive?hsLang=en) to remove it from the asset list and prevent Attaxion from scanning it.

- [Getting Started](https://support.attaxion.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content)
  
  
  
  
  
    - [FAQs](https://support.attaxion.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#faqs)
    - [Start Here](https://support.attaxion.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#start-here)
- [Assets and Attack Surface](https://support.attaxion.com/assets-and-attack-surface?hsLang=en#main-content)
  
  
  
  
  
    - [Asset inventory](https://support.attaxion.com/assets-and-attack-surface?hsLang=en#asset-inventory)
    - [Root Assets and Discovery](https://support.attaxion.com/assets-and-attack-surface?hsLang=en#root-assets-and-discovery)
    - [Ports and Technologies](https://support.attaxion.com/assets-and-attack-surface?hsLang=en#ports-and-technologies)
- [Scanning](https://support.attaxion.com/scanning?hsLang=en#main-content)
  
  
  
  
  
    - [Scanning Modes and Settings](https://support.attaxion.com/scanning?hsLang=en#scanning-modes-and-settings)
    - [Investigation](https://support.attaxion.com/scanning?hsLang=en#investigation)
    - [Prioritization](https://support.attaxion.com/scanning?hsLang=en#prioritization)
    - [Reporting](https://support.attaxion.com/scanning?hsLang=en#reporting)
- [Account, Team, and Billing](https://support.attaxion.com/account-team-and-billing?hsLang=en#main-content)
  
  
  
  
  
    - [Account and Team Settings](https://support.attaxion.com/account-team-and-billing?hsLang=en#account-and-team-settings)
    - [Trials and Plans](https://support.attaxion.com/account-team-and-billing?hsLang=en#trials-and-plans)
- [Integrations](https://support.attaxion.com/integrations?hsLang=en#main-content)
  
  
  
  
  
    - [REST API](https://support.attaxion.com/integrations?hsLang=en#rest-api)
    - [Native Integrations](https://support.attaxion.com/integrations?hsLang=en#native-integrations)
- [Monitoring and Brand Protection](https://support.attaxion.com/monitoring-and-brand-protection?hsLang=en#main-content)
  
  
  
  
  
    - [Infrastructure Monitoring](https://support.attaxion.com/monitoring-and-brand-protection?hsLang=en#infrastructure-monitoring)
    - [Brand Protection](https://support.attaxion.com/monitoring-and-brand-protection?hsLang=en#brand-protection)
- [MSSP](https://support.attaxion.com/mssp?hsLang=en)
- [Product Updates](https://support.attaxion.com/product-updates?hsLang=en)

- [Attaxion Quick Start Guide](https://support.attaxion.com/attaxion-quick-start-guide)
- [Working with Attaxion and Using Additional Features](https://support.attaxion.com/working-with-attaxion-and-using-additional-features)

[![Chill listening crop-3](https://support.attaxion.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Lettermark-White-Background.png?width=23&height=24&name=Lettermark-White-Background.png "Chill listening crop-3")](http://attaxion.com)

Copyright © 2026, Attaxion LLC 

All rights reserved.