Abstract: A method includes issuing write commands to DS storage units regarding encoded data slices. A write command causes a storage unit to store an encoded data slice, but not allow access to the stored encoded data slices. The method includes receiving write acknowledgements from at least some of DS storage units to produce received write acknowledgements. The method includes, when a write threshold number of the received write acknowledgements have been received within a given time frame, issuing commit commands to the DS storage units. A commit command causes the storage unit to allow access to the stored encoded data slice. The method includes, when the write threshold number of the received write acknowledgements have not been received within the given time frame, issuing rollback commands to the DS units. A rollback command causes the storage unit to continue to not allow access to the stored encoded data slice.

Abstract: A method begins with a processing module determining that storage of data requires updating, wherein the data is stored as a plurality of sets of encoded data slices in DSN memory. For a first type of updating, the processing module increases the total number while maintaining the decode threshold number. The processing module then, for each set of encoded data slices, creates another encoded data slice in accordance with the dispersed storage error encoding function and the increased total number and sends the new encoded data slices to the DSN memory. For a second type of updating, the processing module increases the total number and the decode threshold number. The processing module then recovers the data and encodes it in accordance with the dispersed storage error encoding function using the increased total number and the increased decode threshold number to produce an updated plurality of sets of encoded data slices.

Abstract: A dispersed storage (DS) method begins by issuing a plurality of write commands to a plurality of DS storage units. The method continues by receiving a write acknowledgement from one of the plurality of DS storage units to produce a received write acknowledgement. The method continues by issuing a plurality of commit commands to the plurality of DS storage units when a write threshold number of the received write acknowledgements have been received. The method continues by receiving a commit acknowledgement from a DS storage unit of the plurality of DS storage units to produce a received commit acknowledgement. The method continues by issuing a plurality of finalize commands to the plurality of DS storage units when a write threshold number of the received commit acknowledgements have been received.