Method for Associating Administrative Policies with User-Definable Groups of Files

摘要

A method and apparatus for associating administrative policies with user-definable groups of files is provided. The groups of files are defined by assigning tags to files or directories. Tags are a part of metadata stored by an operating system for the files and directories. Tags associated with files or directories remain as files or directories are moved or copied in the file system. Files created inside a directory that contains certain tags inherit tags of the parent directory. Command line and graphical interfaces for tag management are provided. The interfaces let users assign tags to files or directories, remove tags assigned to files or directories, or list tags already assigned to files or directories. The interfaces also let users associate services and administrative policies with tags.