The Build Masking Rules tab is designed to provide information on the rules in the current masking set. It also enables the creation of new rules, the reordering or editing of existing rules and the ability to disable or drop undesired rules.

The Data Masker Build Masking Rules tab

The masking rule display at the top of the Build Masking Rules tab lists the rules contained within the currently active masking set. The order of the rules in the display is the order in which the rules will execute. To adjust the execution order of the masking rules, use the mouse to drag and drop them into the appropriate position.

There are five vertical columns in the masking rule display. These columns provide specific information on various components of the rule.

What the columns in the Rules Panel mean

Rule#

This column indicates the ID number of the rule and also contains a small icon which serves to indicate the masking rule type.

Rule Controller

Substitution rule

Insertion rule

Command rule

Row-Internal Synchronization rule

Table-Internal Synchronization rule

Table-To-Table Synchronization rule

The ID number of the rule is not particularly significant. It serves to provide a unique identifier for the row. The rules can be re-arranged out of numerical sequence if that is the desired run order.

Rule Controllers contain the login information for the rules which are dependent on them. It is possible to mask multiple databases from within the same masking set simply by creating a new Rule Controller and adding masking rules to it. Masking rules can be moved between Rule Controllers. If you change a rules controller always check that the target table and column referenced by the masking rule exist in the database referenced by the new Rule Controller.

Rule Type

This column names the type of rule and will be one of: ( Rule Controller, Substitution, Insertion, Command, Row-Internal Synchronization, Table-Internal Synchronization or Table-To-Table Synchronization). Certain rule types can be used with WHERE Clause or Sampling modifiers. If these options have been applied to the rule then a (W) or (S) will be appended to the rule type information.

Target

This area lists the object on which the rule will operate or modify. For most rules this is the table and column name associated with the rule. All rule types can be edited to point to a different target object. Just double-click on the masking rule with the mouse to launch an editor form specific to the rule type.

Data Set

If a rule uses a server side data set as part of its operation then the data set name will be listed here. For rules that do not use data sets (such as Command rules this column is empty.

Description

All rule types can have an optional description associated with them. Descriptions are useful documentation which clarifies the purpose of a rule.

What the buttons do

New Masking Rule

The New Rule button starts a form which offers the option of creating a new masking rule. The help file for the New Masking Rule form will provide further details.

Change Rule Order

The rules always execute in the order they are visible on the screen. To change the execution order use the mouse to drag and drop the rule to a new position or press this button.

Delete Rule

This button removes a masking rule from the masking set.

Disable Rule

This button stops the Data Masker from using the rule when it executes the masking set against the Target database. If dependent rules of a disabled rule are effectively disabled as well.

Edit Rule

If you wish to change the configuration of a masking rule then select it and press this button. A form, specific to the rule type, will start. The rule edit from will offer the ability to change all aspects of the rule configuration. An alternate method of launching the rule edit form is to double click on it with the mouse.