Last time I wrote that you can create new file classification properties in Server 2008 R2, such as (for example) to indicate degree of confidentiality, customer, project, and so on. The next step after defining the classification properties is to apply them, and the new version of the File Server Resource Manager (FSRM) console contains a node in the navigation pane to do just that: “Classification Rules.” Right-click to create a new rule.
On the “Rule Settings” tab you can give your rule a name and set its status (I recommend clearing the “Enabled” checkbox until you’ve finished with the rule settings and have doublechecked your work). There’s a field for an optional description, which you can use if the rule name field isn’t long enough to be self-evident, and an area for you to specify the scope of the rule (i.e. which folder or folders you want it to cover). Intelligent use of the scope field will serve two purposes: it will make the application of your rules faster, and it will help self-document your rule even if you choose not to use the Description field.
On the “Classification” tab you can choose a classification mechanism from a drop-down list. There are two choices: Folder Classifier, which allows you to set a path criterion, and Content Classifer, which allows you to set the property based on the file’s content. If you use the Content Classifier, you need to click the “Advanced” button and specify a string to search for in the content – or, if you want to get fancy, create a regular expression using .Net syntax. Microsoft warns that if you get too complex with your regular expressions, you’ll slow down the classification process and eat up a bunch of RAM. Also on the “Classification” tab is the name of the custom property you wish to assign, and the property’s value. For example, if the property name is “Project,” you may want the rule to assign a value of “Widget Project.”
Next time we’ll look at a couple of potential “gotcha” situations in which the FCI rules might not behave as you would expect.
Glenn Weadock is a longtime instructor for Global Knowledge and teaches Windows 7, Server 2008, and Active Directory. He has recently co-developed with Mark Wilkins two advanced Server 2008 classes in the Microsoft Official Curriculum. Glenn also consults through his Colorado-based company Independent Software, Inc. and is technical director of MarketCoach Investment Education Software LLC.
The Leader in Network Knowledge
Post new comment