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

The Data Masker Set Rules Tab

The Masking Rule display at the top of the Set Rules Tab lists the rules contained within the currently active Masking Set. Selecting a rule with the mouse will make additional information appear in the Option Panel at the bottom of the screen. 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

Schema/Rule#

This column indicates the ID number of the rule and also contains a small icon which serves to indicate whether the rule is an Insertion rule , a Substitution rule , a Cascade rule , a Crypto rule , or a Shuffle rule . It is important to note that the rule number also provides useful information as it indicates the type of rule.

00001-00999 - given to Cascade rules.

01000-01999 - given to Insertion rules.

02000-02999 - given to Crypto rules.

03000-03999 - given to Substitution rules.

04000-04999 - given to Shuffle rules.

05000-05999 - given to Command rules.

A Masking Set can list rules for more than one target schema. This column also lists the owner of the table referred to in the following columns.

Rule Type

This column names the type of rule and will be one of: (Insertion, Crypto,Substitution,Cascade or Shuffle)

Table Name

This area lists the table name associated with the rule. Each masking rule must operate on a specified table in a schema. There is no way to update a rule to use a different table.If this function is required simply drop the existing rule and add a new rule of the appropriate type on a the new table.

Column Name

This area lists the column name associated with the rule. Each masking rule must operate on a specified column on a specified table in a schema. There is no way to update a rule to use a different column name. If this function is required simply drop the existing rule and add a new rule of the appropriate type on a new table and column name.

Rule Options

Each type of rule has a variety of applicable options. This field provides a summary of the configured options. The options can be adjusted on a per rule basis. To adjust the options for a rule simply select it - the options panel at the bottom of the Set Rules Tab will change as appropriate.

How the Rule Options panel works

The Rule Options panel dynamically changes to reflect the configuration of the rule selected in the Set Rules panel above. The available options are specific to each type of rule. The Rule Options help file contains more detailed information.

What the buttons do

Edit Rule Block

Often, it necessary to ensure that a predetermined rule completes before a subsequent rule executes. There are two ways to make sure that a rule (or rules) execute in a required order: Rule Dependencies and Rule Blocks. This field lets you update the rule block for a rule or group of rules. Dependency chains are configured using the Rule Dependency button discussed below.

New Rule

The New Rule button starts a dialog box which offers the option of creating a new Insertion rule , a Substitution rule , a Crypto rule , or Shuffle rule .

Delete Rule

This button drops a 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.

Rule Dependency

If you need to ensure a rule does not execute before another rule completes you can implement a Rule Blocks (discussed above) or a dependency condition. To make a rule dependent on another, select the child rule and press the Rule Dependency button. The Rule Dependency dialog box will appear which enables you to choose the parent rule. After the dependency has been implemented, you will see the dependent child rules listing move to an indented position underneath the parent rule. If the selected rule is already dependent on another a dialog box offering you the option of removing the dependency condition will appear when this button is pressed.

Add Cascade Rule

Cascade rules are always applied as dependents on Substitution rules. If a Substitution rule is selected in the top panel this button will activate. Clicking on the Add Cascade Rule button with the mouse will start the New Cascade Rule dialog box and begin the process of adding a new Cascade type rule.

Note: Successive clicks with the mouse on the Collapse Button button collapses or expands all information on display under each schema. This provides a useful way to present or hide the information below all schemas simultaneously without the necessity of clicking on each schema individually.