1. A system for distributing metadata related to data stored in a network, comprising: a first storage device containing first data accessible via the network; a second storage device containing second data accessible via the network; a first metabase containing metadata and having a first characteristic, wherein the metadata includes classifications of the data stored on the first and second storage devices, the classifications including information used to facilitate performance of a data storage operation on the first data or on the second data; and a second metabase containing metadata and having a second characteristic, wherein the metadata includes classifications of the data stored on the first and second storage devices, the classifications including information used to facilitate performance of a data storage operation on first data or on the second data; and a metabase manager component in communication with the first metabase and the second metabase over the network, wherein the metabase manager component is programmed to direct requests to perform data storage operations to the first metabase or the second metabase based on the characteristics of the metabases, wherein the metabase manager component directs a request to perform a data storage operation by: determining the first characteristic of the first metabase and the second characteristic of the second metabase; evaluating the first and second characteristics against one or more criteria; and directing the request to perform the data storage operation to the first metabase or the second metabase based on the evaluation.