Abstract: A method begins by a processing module identifying a set of encoded data slices that have been created in accordance with a dispersed storage error encoding function having a decode threshold equal to or less than half of a number encoded data slices in the set of encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module identifying a first sub-set of encoded data slices having a non-current revision level and identifying a second sub-set of encoded data slices having a more-current revision level. When a number of encoded data slices of the second sub-set of encoded data slices is greater than or equal to the decode threshold and when a number of encoded data slices of the first sub-set of encoded data slices is less than the decode threshold, the method continues with the processing module facilitating rebuilding of the first sub-set of encoded data slices.

Abstract: A method begins with a processing module determining a retrieval threshold for retrieving a set of encoded data slices from a dispersed storage network (DSN). The set of encoded data slices represents data encoded using a dispersed storage error encoding function having a number of encoded data slices in the set of encoded data slices equal to or greater than a decode threshold and the retrieval threshold is equal to or greater than the decode threshold. The method continues with the processing module issuing data retrieval requests to the DSN for the set of encoded data slices and receiving encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices to produce received encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module decoding the received encoded data slices to recapture the data when a number of received encoded data slices compares favorably to the retrieval threshold.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module determining a retrieval threshold for retrieving a set of encoded data slices from a dispersed storage network (DSN), wherein the set of encoded data slices represents data encoded using a dispersed storage error encoding function having a pillar width of “n”, a decode threshold of “k”, and an encoding ratio of n?k>k and wherein the retrieval threshold is in accordance with the encoding ratio. The method continues with the processing module issuing data retrieval requests to the DSN for the set of encoded data slices and receiving encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices to produce received encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module decoding the received encoded data slices to recapture the data when a number of received encoded data slices compares favorably to the retrieval threshold.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module sending list digest requests to a set of dispersed storage (DS) units. The method continues with the processing module receiving list digest responses from at least some of the set of DS units and determining whether an inconsistency exists between first and second list digest responses of the list digest responses. The method continues with the processing module requesting at least a portion of each of the slice name information lists from first and second DS units of the set of DS units and identifying a slice name information error associated with the inconsistency based on the at least a portion of each of the slices name information lists of the first and second DS units when the inconsistency exists between first and second list digest responses of the list digest responses.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module determining a retrieval threshold for retrieving a set of encoded data slices from a dispersed storage network (DSN), wherein the set of encoded data slices represents data encoded using a dispersed storage error encoding function having a pillar width of “n”, a decode threshold of “k”, and an encoding ratio of n?k>k and wherein the retrieval threshold is in accordance with the encoding ratio. The method continues with the processing module issuing data retrieval requests to the DSN for the set of encoded data slices and receiving encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices to produce received encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module decoding the received encoded data slices to recapture the data when a number of received encoded data slices compares favorably to the retrieval threshold.