Administrator Guide > System Preferences > Workflow Generation
  

Workflow Generation

Before users generate workflows, define properties for all data subset and data masking workflows.
To define workflow properties, click Edit in the Workflow Generation section.
The following table describes the workflow generation properties:
Property
Description
Central seed value is a parameter
Select this option to enter a central seed value as a parameter.
Central Seed Value
Number that overrides the individual seed values that are configured for repeatable output for data masking components. Enter a central seed value to ensure that data masking components return the same masked values in different plans. When you set a central seed value, the PowerCenter Integration Service uses that value for all data masking components with repeatable output. The seed value modifies the logic which is used in data masking operations.
For example, to mask the same CUST_ID column in four tables, such that all of them output the same masked values, set a central seed value. If you use a different seed value for each column, each column returns different masked values. The seed values that you specify ensure that columns return masked values consistently.
Valid values are from 1 through 999. You can enter the central seed value as a parameter.
Cache Location
Directory for index and data cache files that the PowerCenter Integration Service uses when it runs workflows.
Default is <Informatica _Installation_Directory>/server/infa_shared/cache.
Maximum Tables in a Mapping
Maximum number of tables that all workflows create for each session. You can override this value when you create a workflow.
If you run the PowerCenter Integration Service on a machine with a fast processor, increase the number of tables to optimize performance.
Default is 20.
Storage Connection
A connection to a database that contains storage tables. The Data Masking transformation maintains storage tables for repeatable substitution and expression masking between sessions. A storage table row contains the source column and a masked value pair. The storage tables for substitution and expression masking are separate tables IDM_SUBSTITUTION_STORAGE and IDM_EXPRESSION_STORAGE.
Staging Connection
A connection to a database for creating temporary staging tables. The default set in the Workflow Generation section appears during plan creation. You can change the connection used in a plan. Use this connection for scenarios that involve Cyclic Subset, Tending to Cyclic subset, Inplace Batch Updates, Non Relational Shuffle, and Hierarchical PWX.
Mapping Name
Format of the mapping name that TDM creates when you run a plan. You can enter an expression to create a naming format. TDM creates all mappings with names in the same format. Use the expression editor to create the format. If you do not enter a format, the plan assigns a random name.
Workflow Name
Format of the workflow name that TDM creates when you run a plan. You can enter an expression to create a naming format. TDM creates all workflows with names in the same format. Use the expression editor to create the format. If you do not enter a format, the plan assigns a random name.
Session Name
Format of the session name that TDM creates. You can enter an expression to create a naming format. TDM creates all sessions with names in the same format. Use the expression editor to create the format. If you do not enter a format, the plan assigns a random name.

Storage Tables for Repeatable Masking

To perform expression masking or substitution masking with repeatable values, you must assign a storage table for the repeatable values. You can create the table in the TDM repository database or in another database. TDM creates a default storage connection and creates storage tables for this connection.
If you choose to use a different storage connection, you must set this connection as the default connection and create the storage tables for the connection. Set the connection as the default storage and staging connections and create storage tables in Test Data Manager.
Note: Staging connections and storage connections can be on Oracle, Sybase, IBM DB2, or Microsoft SQL Server databases.
You can create the storage tables for the required staging and storage connection from the Administrator view in Test Data Manager.
You can also use the SQL scripts that Informatica provides to create the storage tables. Use your database client tool to run the SQL script and create the table in the database. For example, you can use the SQL*Plus client for Oracle to create the storage table in an Oracle database.
Run the storage table SQL script for your database. For example, to create the substitution storage table in a Microsoft SQL Server database, run the Substitution_SQL_Server.sql file. The SQL scripts to create the storage table for repeatable expression masking are installed in the following TDM directory:
<TDM Installation Directory>/TDM/storage_script/expression_storage
After you run the expression storage script, verify that the script created the IDM_EXPRESSION_STORAGE table in the database. The SQL scripts to create the storage table for repeatable substitution masking are installed in the following TDM directory:
<TDM Installation Directory>/TDM/storage_script/substitution_storage
After you run the substitution storage script, verify that the script created the IDM_SUBSTITUTION_STORAGE table in the database.
Important: The expression and substitution storage tables can contain original values from the source database and the corresponding masked values from the target database. Ensure that access to the storage table is secure. Alternatively, you can create the expression or substitution storage table in a database with limited user access.

Creating the Storage Tables

Create storage tables if you do not want to use the default staging and storage connection and storage tables that TDM creates.
    1. In the Administrator | Preferences view, click Edit in the Workflow Generation section.
    The Edit Preferences dialog box appears.
    2. Select the required default storage connection from the list.
    3. Click Create Storage Tables to create the storage tables for this connection.