Abstract: A method begins with a group of storage units of a dispersed storage network (DSN) receiving a common access request. The method continues with each storage unit of the group of storage units interpreting the access request to determine whether the storage unit is an intended recipient of the access request, where storage units of a sub-set of storage units of the group of storage units are intended recipients. The method continues with each storage unit of the sub-set of storage units determining a type of the access request and a level of the access request. When the access request is a read request, the method continues with each storage unit of the sub-set of storage units retrieving each encoded data slice having an identifier of its slice address substantially matching the a given identifier of the level to produce a retrieved set of encoded data slices.

Abstract: A method begins by a module to generate a secure signature on an item by selecting a first key representation index of a set of key representation indexes, wherein a first mathematical encoding of a private key generates a first plurality of key shares as a first key representation. The method continues with the module determining whether a first plurality of signature contributions have been received in response to a signature request for the item based on the first key representation index, wherein one of a first set of dispersed storage (DS) units executes a first mathematical signature function using one of the first plurality of key shares on the item to produce a signature contribution of the first plurality of signature contributions and when the first plurality of signature contributions have been received, generating the secure signature on the item from the first plurality of signature contributions.

Abstract: A method begins by receiving a request to retrieve a data segment stored as encoded data slices in a distributed storage network (DSN). The method continues by determining whether at least the threshold number of encoded data slices is cached in temporary storage associated with a distributed storage processing module. When the at least the threshold number of encoded data slices are cached in the temporary storage, the method continues by retrieving the at least the threshold number of encoded data slices from the temporary storage. When the at least the threshold number of encoded data slices is not cached in the temporary storage, the method continues by retrieving one or more of the encoded data slices from the DSN to obtain the at least the threshold number of encoded data slices.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module of a computing device receiving a most current revision value for a data element, where a revision value for the data element is generated based on a current time of a storing device. The method continues with the processing module generating a new revision value for a currently revised version of the data element based on a current time of the computing device and comparing the current time of the new revision value with the current time of the most current revision value. When the current time of the new revision value precedes the current time of the most current revision value, the method continues with the processing module adjusting the new revision value to produce an adjusted revision value and facilitating storage of the currently revised version of the data element having the adjusted revision value.

Abstract: A computing device of a dispersed storage network (DSN) includes a memory, interface and a processing module operable to identify an encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices to produce an identified encoded data slice. The processing module generates a set of first write requests regarding the set of encoded data slices less the identified encoded data slice, and generates a set of second write requests regarding the identified encoded data slice. The set of second write requests include the identified encoded data slice and replications of the identified encoded data slice. The processing module sends the set of first write requests to storage units of the DSN, and sends the set of second write requests to a set of storage units of the DSN, where each storage unit of the set of storage units is sent a corresponding one of the set of second write requests.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module receiving an encoded data slice for storage in memory that is organized as a plurality of log files and identifying a log file based on information regarding the encoded data slice to produce an identified log file, wherein the identified log file is storing at least one other encoded data slice. The method continues with the processing module comparing storage parameters of the identified log file with desired storage parameters associated with the encoded data slice. The method continues with the processing module attempting to identify a second log file based on an alternate log file storage protocol when the storage parameters of the identified log file compare unfavorably with the desired storage parameters and when the second log file is identified, storing the encoded data slice in the second log file.

Abstract: A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module collecting an event record, a record regarding processing of an event request, and a plurality of records regarding processing of a plurality of sub-event requests to produce a collection of records. The event record includes information regarding an event, wherein the event is a user access operation or a system administrative operation initiated by a device affiliated with the DSN. The record regarding processing of the event request includes information regarding a dispersed storage (DS) processing module of the DSN processing the event request to produce the plurality of sub-event requests. The plurality of records regarding processing of the plurality of sub-event requests includes information regarding a plurality of DS units of the DSN processing the plurality of sub-event requests. The method continues with the DS processing module evaluating the collection of records to produce performance information regarding the DSN.

Abstract: A computing device includes a processing module operable to generate a set of write requests regarding a set of encoded data slices. The processing module is further operable to send the set of write requests to a set of storage units, where each of at least some of the storage units of the set of storage units generates a write response. The processing module is further operable to receiving the write responses where the write responses includes at least a decode threshold number of write responses. The processing module is further operable to determine a most current revision level regarding the set of encoded data slices based on the lists of revision levels from the at least some of the storage units, and generate a set of write commit messages.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a task for execution by a plurality of distributed storage and task execution units A priority level is determined for the task. A plurality of coordinated partial task requests are generated and sent to the plurality of distributed storage and task execution units, wherein the plurality coordinated partial task requests indicate a plurality of coordinated partial tasks and the priority level. A plurality of partial task results are received in response to performance of the plurality of coordinated partial tasks by the plurality of distributed storage and task execution units. A task result for the task is generated based on the plurality of partial task results.

Abstract: A method begins by a requesting entity issuing a rebuild request regarding an encoded data slice to at least some of a set of distributed storage (DS) units. In response to the rebuild request, the method continues with each of at least some of the DS units of the set of DS units generating a partial slice corresponding to the encoded data slice to be rebuilt based on one of a set of encoded data slices stored by the respective DS unit to produce an array of partial slices. The method continues with the at least some of the DS units encrypting the array of partial slices using a set of encryption keys to produce an array of encrypted partial slices. The method continues with the requesting entity rebuilding the encoded data slice from the array of encrypted partial slices.

Abstract: A method begins by a first computing device determining a routing plan to route a set of encoded data slices from the first computing device to a second computing device via a plurality of network paths of a communications network. The method continues with the second computing device receiving encoded data slices via one or more network paths. When the second computing device receives a decode threshold number of encoded data slices, the method continues with the second computing device sending a message to the communications network indicating receipt of the decode threshold number of encoded data slices. The method continues with a relay unit determining whether the relay unit is in possession of a not-yet delivered encoded data slice. When the relay unit is in possession of the not-yet delivered encoded data slice, the method continues with the relay unit ceasing forwarding of the not-yet delivered encoded data slice.

Abstract: A method includes identifying an independent data object of a plurality of independent data objects for retrieval from dispersed storage network (DSN) memory. The method further includes determining a mapping of the plurality of independent data objects into a data matrix, wherein the mapping is in accordance with the dispersed storage error encoding function. The method further includes identifying, based on the mapping, an encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices corresponding to the independent data object. The method further includes sending a retrieval request to a storage unit of the DSN memory regarding the encoded data slice. When the encoded data slice is received, the method further includes decoding the encoding data slice in accordance with the dispersed storage error encoding function and the mapping to reproduce the independent data object.

Abstract: A method begins by a computing device of a dispersed storage network (DSN) sending, to a set of storage units of the DSN, a set of write requests regarding a set of encoded data slices, where each write request includes a write set information table that includes a listing of which storage unit of the set of storage units is being sent which encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices for storage. The method continues with at least some of the storage units receiving write requests of the set of write requests. The method continues with one of the storage units interpreting the write set information table to determine that a particular encoded data slice assigned to a particular storage unit should be stored by a different storage unit and facilitating storing of the particular encoded data slice in the different storage unit.

Abstract: A method includes generating, by execution units, a plurality of sets of a decode threshold number of encoded data slices from data streams. A first execution unit produces a first encoded data slice for each set of the plurality of sets of the decode threshold number of encoded data slices from a first data stream. The method further includes generating, by at least some of the execution units, a plurality of sets of partially encoded data slices from the plurality of a sets of a decode number of encoded data slices. When partially encoded data slices are processed, the processed partially encoded data slices represent redundancy encoded data slices. The decode threshold number of encoded data slices combined with the redundancy encoded data slices forms a full set of encoded data slices. The method further includes sending the partially encoded data slices to other execution units for storage therein.

Abstract: A method includes identifying an independent data object of a plurality of independent data objects for retrieval from dispersed storage network (DSN) memory. The method further includes determining a mapping of the plurality of independent data objects into a data matrix, wherein the mapping is in accordance with the dispersed storage error encoding function. The method further includes identifying, based on the mapping, an encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices corresponding to the independent data object. The method further includes sending a retrieval request to a storage unit of the DSN memory regarding the encoded data slice. When the encoded data slice is received, the method further includes decoding the encoding data slice in accordance with the dispersed storage error encoding function and the mapping to reproduce the independent data object.

Abstract: A method for execution, when a generic computing device is paired with a specific computing device (SCD) token, begins with the SCD token sending distributed storage network (DSN) access request to DSN memory via the generic computing device, wherein the DSN access request identifies SCD operation information that is stored as one or more of sets of encoded data slices in the DSN memory and wherein the SCD operation information was encoded using a dispersed storage error encoding function to produce the plurality of sets of encoded data slices. Then, the SCD token receives the one or more of sets of encoded data slices from the DSN memory via the generic computing device and decodes the one or more of sets of encoded data slices to retrieve the SCD operation information and enables the generic computing device to function as an SCD in accordance with the SCD operation information.

Abstract: A distributed storage integrity system in a dispersed storage network includes a scanning agent and a control unit. The scanning agent identifies an encoded data slice that requires rebuilding, wherein the encoded data slice is one of a plurality of encoded data slices generated from a data segment using an error encoding dispersal function. The control unit retrieves at least a number T of encoded data slices needed to reconstruct the data segment based on the error encoding dispersal function. The control unit is operable to reconstruct the data segment from at least the number T of the encoded data slices and generate a rebuilt encoded data slice from the reconstructed data segment. The scanning agent is located in a storage unit and the control unit is located in the storage unit or in a storage integrity processing unit, a dispersed storage processing unit or a dispersed storage managing unit.

Abstract: A distributed storage network (DSN) includes a user device and a plurality of DSN memories, wherein each of the DSN memories includes a plurality of storage units. The user device includes at least one network interface to the plurality of DSN memories and at least one processing module that is operable to determine one of the plurality of DSN memories for storing a data object based on a comparison of one or more storage requirements of the data object and one or more DSN attributes of the plurality of DSN memories.

Abstract: A distributed storage network (DSN) includes a user device and a plurality of DSN memories, wherein each of the DSN memories includes a plurality of storage units. The user device includes at least one network interface to the plurality of DSN memories and at least one processing module that is operable to determine one of the plurality of DSN memories for storing a data object based on a comparison of one or more storage requirements of the data object and one or more DSN attributes of the plurality of DSN memories.

Abstract: A method for writing a set of encoded data slices to memory of a dispersed storage network (DSN) begins by a processing module identifying an encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices for a redundant write operation to produce an identified encoded data slice. The method continues with the processing module generating a set of first write requests regarding the set of encoded data slices less the identified encoded data slice and generating a set of second write requests regarding the identified encoded data slice. The method continues with the processing module sending the set of first write requests to storage units of the DSN and sending the set of second write requests to a set of storage units of the DSN, where each storage unit of the set of storage units is sent a corresponding one of the set of second write requests.