Abstract: A data object interface to a dispersed data storage network is disclosed. The disclosed interface accepts read and write commands from a client computer and generates network commands that are forwarded to slice servers that form the storage component of the dispersed data storage network. The slice servers then fulfill the read and write commands.

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 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 method begins by determining that a disk drive of a slice server has been replaced with a new disk drive. The method continues by identifying a data slice that was stored on the disk drive and identifying a data segment based on the identified data slice. The method continues by identifying other slice servers that are storing other data slices of the encoded data segment. The method continues by retrieving, from the other slice servers, a sufficient number of the other data slices to reconstruct the data segment and decoding the sufficient number of the other data slices to reconstruct the data segment. The method continues by encoding the reconstructed data segment in accordance with the information dispersal algorithm to produce a new set of data slices. The method continues by selecting a data slice of the new set of data slices as a rebuilt data slice.

Abstract: A method begins by generating list range requests. A list range request includes a payload section and a protocol header section. The payload section includes a start slice name field regarding a start slice name of a slice name range; an end slice name field regarding an end slice name of the slice name range; and a maximum response count field regarding a maximum slice name response count. The protocol header includes a payload length field that represents a length of the payload section and an operation code field to indicate the list range request operation. The list range request includes a request to provide a list of slices names corresponding to stored encoded data slices associated with slice names within the slice name range. The method continues by sending the range requests to storage units of the DSN.

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 method begins by a processing module determining dispersed storage (DS) units that are storing a set of encoded data slices associated with a data segment and sending a revision level check request message to each of the DS units. The method continues with the processing module receiving revision level check response messages from at least some of the DS units within a time period to produce received revision level check response messages and determining concurrency of a revision level of the set of encoded data slices stored by the DS units based on the received revision level check response messages. The method continues with the processing module initiating a revision concurrency process when less than a threshold number of encoded data slices have concurrency of the revision level.

Abstract: A storage integrity system in a dispersed storage network scans an address range of data slices to identify errors in one of a plurality of encoded data slices, wherein the plurality of encoded data slices are generated from a data segment using an error encoding dispersal function. When the storage integrity system detects an error, it identifies one of the encoded data slices for rebuilding. The identified data slice is rebuilt in response to the type of error. For example, when the type of the error includes a temporary error, the storage integrity system waits a predetermined time period to determine whether the error still exists prior to rebuilding the identified data slice.

Abstract: A method begins generating a plurality of list digest request frames. Each list digest request frames includes a payload section and a protocol header. The payload section includes a start slice name field, an end slice name, and a response count field. The protocol header includes a payload length field and an operation code field to indicate the list digest request operation. The method continues by outputting the list digest request frames to storage units of a dispersed storage network.

Abstract: A dispersed storage system includes a plurality of storage units that each include a partial rebuild grid module. The partial rebuild grid module includes partial rebuilding functionality to reconstruct one of a plurality of encoded data slices wherein the plurality of encoded data slices are generated from a data segment based on an error encoding dispersal function. In the partial rebuilding process, a data slice is rebuilt by combining in any order slice partials generated from at least a threshold number T of the plurality of data slices.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module generating a payload section of a dispersed storage network (DSN) frame regarding a list range request operation by generating a start slice name field of the payload section to include a start slice name of a slice name range, generating an end slice name field of the payload section to include an end slice name of the slice name range, and generating a maximum response count field of the payload section to include a maximum slice name response count. The method continues with the processing module generating a protocol header of the DSN frame by generating a payload length field of the protocol header to include a payload length that represents a length of the payload section and generating remaining fields of the protocol header.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module generating a payload section of a dispersed storage network (DSN) frame regarding a check request operation by generating one or more slice name fields of the payload section to include one or more slice names corresponding to one or more encoded data slices and generating a transaction number field of the payload section to include a transaction number corresponding to the check request operation. The method continues with the processing module generating a protocol header of the DSN frame by generating a payload length field of the protocol header to include a payload length that represents a length of the payload section and generating remaining fields of the protocol header.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module generating a payload of a dispersed storage network frame regarding a conclusive write request operation by generating one or more slice name fields of a payload to include one or more slice names corresponding to one or more write commit responses of a write request operation, wherein the conclusive write request operation is a conclusive phase of the write request operation. The method continues with the processing module generating one or more slice revision numbering fields of the payload, wherein each slice revision numbering field includes a slice revision number corresponding to an associated slice name of the one or more slice names. The method continues with the processing module generating a protocol header of the DSN frame by generating a payload length field of the protocol header to include a payload length and generating remaining fields of the protocol header.

Abstract: A method begins a first rebuilder application identifying a data slice having a storage error. The method continues with the first rebuilder application or a second rebuilder application identifying a data segment based on the identified data slice. The method continues with the second rebuilder application identifying one or more other slice servers that are storing other data slices of the encoded data segment. The method continues with the second rebuilder application receiving a sufficient number of the other data slices to reconstruct the data segment and decoding them to reconstruct the data segment. The method continues with the second rebuilder application encoding the reconstructed data segment in accordance with the information dispersal algorithm to produce a new set of data slices and selecting one of them as the rebuild data slice.

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 dispersed storage system includes a plurality of storage units that each include a partial rebuild grid module. The partial rebuild grid module includes partial rebuilding functionality to reconstruct one of a plurality of encoded data slices wherein the plurality of encoded data slices are generated from a data segment based on an error encoding dispersal function. In the partial rebuilding process, a data slice is rebuilt by combining in any order slice partials generated from at least a threshold number T of the plurality of data slices.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module generating a payload section of a dispersed storage network (DSN) frame regarding a list digest request operation by generating a start slice name field of the payload section to include a start slice name of a slice name range, generating an end slice name field of the payload section to include an end slice name of the slice name range, and generating a maximum response count field of the payload section to include a maximum slice name response count. The method continues with the processing module generating a protocol header of the DSN frame by generating a payload length field of the protocol header to include a payload length that represents a length of the payload section, generating an operation code field to indicate the list digest request operation, and generating remaining fields of the protocol header.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module generating a payload section of a dispersed storage network (DSN) frame regarding a check request operation by generating one or more slice name fields of the payload section to include one or more slice names corresponding to one or more encoded data slices and generating a transaction number field of the payload section to include a transaction number corresponding to the check request operation. The method continues with the processing module generating a protocol header of the DSN frame by generating a payload length field of the protocol header to include a payload length that represents a length of the payload section and generating remaining fields of the protocol header.

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 data object interface to a dispersed data storage network is disclosed. The disclosed interface accepts read and write commands from a client computer and generates network commands that are forwarded to slice servers that form the storage component of the dispersed data storage network. The slice servers then fulfill the read and write commands.