---
title: Configuring metadata lifetime
description: Configure the lifetime of metadata to optimize cache performance in your environment.
component: pingfederate
version: 13.1
page_id: pingfederate:administrators_reference_guide:help_metadatasettingstasklet_metadatalifetimestate
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingfederate/13.1/administrators_reference_guide/help_metadatasettingstasklet_metadatalifetimestate.html
llms_txt: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingfederate/llms.txt
docs_for_agents: https://developer.pingidentity.com/build-with-ai/docs-for-agents.md
revdate: July 5, 2022
section_ids:
  about-this-task: About this task
  steps: Steps
---

# Configuring metadata lifetime

Configure the lifetime of metadata to optimize cache performance in your environment.

## About this task

PingFederate provides metadata for SAML and WS-Federation connections and supports automatic update for SAML connections by reloading metadata URLs provided by the partners

* Metadata publication

  PingFederate includes expiration information in metadata. It indicates to partners whether they have reasonably up-to-date information about your server.

* Metadata consumption

  PingFederate supports automatic reloading of metadata by URL for SAML connections.

## Steps

1. Go to **System > Protocol Metadata**.

2. In the**Metadata Settings** window, on the **Metadata Lifetime** tab, configure your metadata.

   | Option                                                       | Action                                                                                      |
   | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
   | Adjust the validity of your metadata                         | Modify the **Cache Duration** field value, in minutes.The default value is `1440` or 1 day. |
   | Adjust the frequency of automatic reloading of SAML metadata | Modify the **Reload Delay** field value, in minutes.The default value is `1440` or 1 day.   |

3. Click **Next**.

   |   |                                                                                                                                                |
   | - | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
   |   | When editing an existing configuration, you can also click **Save** as soon as the administrative console offers you the opportunity to do so. |