Working with File Classification

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2

Most applications manage files based on the directory they are contained in. This leads to complicated file layouts that require much attention from administrators and lead to frustration for users.

To reduce the cost and risk associated with this type of data management, the File Classification Infrastructure uses a platform that allows administrators to classify files and apply policies based on that classification. The storage layout is unaffected by data management requirements and the organization can adapt more easily to a changing business and regulatory environment.

Files can be classified in a variety of ways—today, classification is commonly performed manually. The File Classification Infrastructure in Windows Server 2008 R2 allows organizations to convert these manual processes into automated policies. Administrators can specify file management policies, based on a file’s classification, and automatically apply corporate requirements for managing data, based on business value. They can easily modify the policies and use tools that support classification to manage their files.

In this section:

• Creating a classification property

• Creating a classification rule

• Setting up a classification schedule

Creating a classification property

Classification properties are used to assign values to files. There are many property types that you can choose from, and you can define them based on the needs of your organization.

The following table defines the available property types and the policy that is applied when a file is reclassified.

The following procedure guides you through the process of creating a classification property.

To create a classification property

1. In Classification Management, click the Classification Properties node.

2. Right-click Classification Properties, and then click Create property (or click Create property in the Actions pane). This opens the Classification Property Definitions dialog box.

3. In the Property Name text box, type a name for the property.

4. In the Description text box, add an optional description for the property.

5. In the Property Type drop-down list, select a property type.

6. Click OK.

Creating a classification rule

The following procedure guides you through the process of creating a classification rule that is used to automatically classify files. Each rule sets the value for a single property.

To create a classification rule

1. In Classification Management, click the Classification Rules node.

2. Right-click Classification Rules, and then click Create a New Rule (or click Create a New Rule in the Actions pane). This opens the Classification Rule Definitions dialog box.

3. On the Rule Settings tab, enter the following information:

   • Rule name. Type a name for the rule.

   • Enabled. This rule is only applied if you select the Enabled check box. To disable the rule, clear this box.

   • Description. Type an optional description for this rule.

   • Scope. Click Add to select a location where this rule will apply. You can add multiple locations, or remove a location by clicking Remove. The classification rule applies to all folders and their subfolders in this list.

4. On the Classification tab, enter the following information:

   • Classification mechanism. Choose a method for assigning the property value. The classification mechanisms are provided by a series of plug-ins that are included with Windows Server 2008 R2 or produced by you or an ISV.

   • Property name. Select the property that this rule will assign.

   • Property value. If the classification mechanism requests a specific value to set on files, select the property value that this rule will assign. Otherwise, this field is not enabled.

5. Optionally, click the Advanced button to select further options.

   a. On the Evaluation Type tab, the Re-evaluate files check box is cleared by default. This means that the rule only applies to files that are not already classified for the property that is set by the rule. You can set the following options:

   • Re-evaluate files—not selected: A rule applies a default value for the specified property to a file if, and only if, the property on the file has not been set to any value.

   • Re-evaluate files—selected, and the Overwrite the existing value option is selected: The rule is applied to the files, if the file or classification mechanism is updated, every time the automatic classification process runs (ignoring any existing or default value for the property that is specified by the rule). For example, if a file has a Boolean property that is set to Yes, a rule that uses the folder classifier to set all files to No changes the property value to No.

   • Re-evaluate files—selected and the Aggregate the values option is selected: The rule is applied to the files if the file or classification mechanism is updated every time the automatic classification process runs. However, when the rule determines a value for the property file, it aggregates that value with the one already in the file. For example, if a file has a Boolean property that is set to Yes, a rule that uses the folder classifier to set all files to No leaves the property value set to Yes.

b. To specify additional parameters that are recognized by the selected classification method, click the **Additional Classification Parameters** tab, enter the name and value, and then click the **Insert** button.

c. Click **OK** or **Cancel** to close the **Advanced** dialog box.

6. Click OK.

Setting up a classification schedule

Classification of a large number of files can take time. For that reason, the File Classification Infrastructure only classifies files on a schedule that is set by the administrator or when an application requests the classification properties of a file.

To set up a classification schedule

1. In the console tree, right-click File Server Resource Manager, and then click Configure Options.

2. In the File Server Resource Manager Options dialog box, click the Automatic Classification tab.

3. Click Create and then, in the Schedule dialog box, click New.

4. Optionally, on the Settings tab, select the Stop the task if it runs for check box and specify the number of hours the task should run. For example, enter 5 to ensure that the classification process runs nightly from midnight to 5:00 A.M.

5. Click OK.