1. A system for distributing metadata related to data stored in a network, comprising: a first storage device containing data accessible via the network; a second storage device containing data accessible via the network; a first metabase containing metadata including classifications of data stored on at least one of the first and second storage devices; and a second metabase containing metadata including classifications of data stored on at least one of the first and second storage devices, wherein the first and second metabases are accessed to make determinations about the data stored on the first and second storage devices, and the classifications included within the metadata of the first and second metabases includes information for facilitating the performance of a storage management operation on at least one of the first and second storage devices.