Abstract: A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing obtaining estimated future availability information for storage units and organizing a plurality of sets of encoded data slices into a plurality of group-sets of encoded data slices. For each of the plurality of group-sets of encoded data slices, the method continues with the DS processing module estimating an approximate storage completion time to produce a plurality of approximate storage completion times. The method continues with the DS processing module establishing a time-availability pattern for writing the plurality of group-sets of encoded data slices to the storage units based on the estimated future availability information and the plurality of approximate storage completion times. The method continues with the DS processing module sending the plurality of group-sets of encoded data slices to at least some of the storage units for storage therein in accordance with the time-availability pattern.

Abstract: A method includes encoding input data into a plurality of slices. The plurality of slices are sent to a plurality of distributed storage and task execution units for storage, the plurality of distributed storage and task execution units being located at a corresponding plurality of sites A storage failure is detected corresponding to at least one of the plurality of slices corresponding to at least one of the plurality of the distributed storage and task execution units and at least one of the corresponding plurality of sites A foster storage approach is determined. At least one alternative distributed storage and task execution unit is selected in accordance with the foster storage approach. At least one foster slice is generated corresponding to the at least one of the plurality of slices. The at least one foster slice is sent to the at least one alternative distributed storage and task execution unit.

Abstract: A method includes encoding input data into a plurality of slices. The plurality of slices are sent to a first plurality of distributed storage and task execution units for storage, the first plurality of distributed storage and task execution units being located at a corresponding first plurality of sites. Write slice data is received from the first plurality of distributed storage and task execution units. The method determines when replication is to be applied to the plurality of slices. When replication is to be applied to the plurality of slices, a second plurality of distributed storage and task execution units are selected, a plurality of replicated slices corresponding to the plurality of slices are generated, and the plurality of replicated slices are sent to the second plurality of distributed storage and task execution units.

Abstract: A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module of a dispersed storage network (DSN) sending a plurality of sets of encoded data slices to DSN memory for storage in accordance with a plurality of sets of DSN data addresses. The method continues with the DS processing module generating retrieval data that is based on a data object number and data storage information. The method continues with the DS processing module dispersed storage error encoding the retrieval data to produce a set of encoded retrieval data slices and generating a set of DSN retrieval data addresses based on the data name and on retrieval data storage information. The method continues with the DS processing module sending the set of encoded retrieval data slices to the DSN memory for storage in accordance with the set of DSN retrieval data addresses.

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 dispersed storage (DS) processing module receiving a data object co-locate write request. The method continues with the DS processing module obtaining a plurality of sets of encoded data slices for a data object to co-locate. The method continues with the DS processing module generating a plurality of sets of slice names for the data object to co-locate based on another plurality of sets of slice names associated with a data object to be co-located with. The method continues with the DS processing module storing the plurality of sets of encoded data slices in the DSN using the generated plurality of sets of slice names for the data object co-locate.

Abstract: A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module identifying a plurality of encoded data slices requiring rebuilding. The method continues with the DS processing module determining an amount of reserve memory required for storage of rebuilt slices for the identified plurality of encoded data slices requiring rebuilding. The method continues with the DS processing module updating memory utilization information to include the amount of reserve memory required. The method continues with the DS processing module indicating the memory utilization. The method continues with the DS processing module obtaining rebuilt slices. The method continues with the DS processing module storing the rebuilt slices in the memory and updating the memory utilization information.

Abstract: A method begins by a DS processing module generating a plurality of encoded slices from a data segment using an error encoding function. The method continues with the DS processing module identifying a plurality of DS storage units for storing the plurality of encoded slices. The method continues with the DS processing module selecting an encoded slice of the plurality of encoded slices for sub-slicing using a sub-slicing encoding function to produce a selected encoded slice. The method continues with the DS processing module outputting the plurality of encoded slices to the plurality of DS storage units. The method continues with the DS processing module outputting a command to a DS storage unit of the plurality of DS storage units corresponding to the selected encoded slice, wherein the command includes an instruction to sub-slice the selected encoded slice.

Abstract: A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module updating an encoded data slice of a set of encoded data slices to produce an updated encoded data slice and sending the updated encoded data slice to a first DS unit of a set of DS units. The method continues with the first DS unit storing the updated encoded data slice and generating partial error recovery information to produce a collection of partial error recovery information. The method continues with the first DS unit outputting the collection of partial error recovery information for storage in at least some of the set of DS units. The method continues with one of the at least some of the set of DS units updating error recovery information of an encoded data slice based on a corresponding one of the collection of partial error recovery information.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module encoding data based on a decode threshold parameter and a pillar width parameter to produce a set of encoded data slices and selecting a local area network (LAN) pillar width value of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices for storage in LAN available memories, wherein the LAN pillar width value is based on the decode threshold parameter, the pillar width parameter, and quantities of the LAN available memories. The method continues with the processing module selecting a wide area network (WAN) pillar width value of encoded data slices of the set of encode data slices for storage in a dispersed storage network (DSN) memory of a wide area network, wherein the WAN pillar width value is based on the decode threshold parameter and the pillar width parameter.

Abstract: A new data block to be stored in the dispersed storage system is received. When it is determined that a previous data segment contains sufficient space for the new data block, the previous data segment is retrieved from a plurality of dispersed storage units. A revised data segment is generated by aggregating the new data block with at least one existing data block of the previous data segment. A plurality of slices are generated for the revised data segment. The plurality of slices are stored in the plurality of dispersed storage units.

Abstract: A processing module encodes data into a plurality of sets of encoded data slices in accordance with first error coding dispersal storage function parameters optimized for data recovery speed and non-optimal for data recovery reliability. The processing module encodes priority data segments of the data in accordance with second error coding dispersal storage function parameters to produce a plurality of sets of priority encoded data slices optimized for data recovery reliability and non-optimal for data recovery speed. The module outputs the plurality of sets of encoded data slices and the plurality of sets of priority encoded data slices to a dispersed storage network memory for storage therein.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module detecting a potential dispersed storage network (DSN) protocol issue that effects access of dispersed storage error encoded data within a DSN. The method continues with the processing module identifying a DSN entity based on the DSN protocol issue and generating a DSN protocol inquiry frame. The method continues with the processing module transmitting the DSN protocol inquiry frame to the DSN entity. The method continues with the processing module receiving a DSN protocol response frame from the DSN entity and resolving the DSN protocol issue based on the DSN protocol response frame.

Abstract: A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module receiving data objects from a plurality of authorized users and determining a system level storage efficiency preference for a data object. The method continues with the DS processing module selecting a set of storage nodes of an on-line media storage system based on the system level storage efficiency preference and determining dispersed storage error encoding parameters. The method continues with the DS processing module encoding the data object in accordance with the dispersed storage error encoding parameters to produce encoded data slices and generating system addressing information. The method continues with the DS processing module storing the encoded data slices in the set of storage nodes using the system addressing information and updating a user profile for the authorized user to include the system addressing information.

Abstract: A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module determining to expand a hierarchical ordered index structure and retrieving a root index node. The method continues with the DS processing module identifying immediate children index nodes, dividing the immediate children index nodes into sets of children index nodes, creating, for each of the sets of children index nodes, a sub-root index node to produce a set of sub-root index nodes, creating a new root index node to include entries for each of the sub-root index nodes of the set of sub-root index nodes, and temporarily storing the new root index node and the set of sub-root index nodes in a dispersed storage network (DSN). When the root index node has not changed, the method continues with the DS processing module updating the hierarchical ordered index structure with the new root index node and the set of sub-root index nodes.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module establishing a dispersed storage (DS) error coding function based on a number of local memories associated with the computing device, wherein a decode threshold number of the DS error coding function corresponds to the number of local memories. The method continues with the processing module encoding a data segment of data utilizing the DS error coding function to produce a set of encoded data slices, of which the decode threshold number of encoded data slices is required to recover the data and the set of encoded data slices includes a pillar width number of encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module storing the decode threshold number of encoded data slices in the local memories and outputting a remaining number of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices to the dispersed storage network (DSN) memory for storage therein.

Abstract: A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module mapping a set of data partitions to a set of storage regions. For each data partition, the method continues with the DS processing module segmenting the data partition into a plurality of data segments and designating a first data segment. The method continues with the DS processing module generating data storage mapping information. The method continues with the DS processing module encoding the data storage mapping information to produce at least one set of encoded mapping information slices and for each data partition, encoding the plurality of data segments to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices. The method continues with the DS processing module outputting the at least one set of encoded mapping information slices and, for each data partition, the plurality of sets of encoded data slices to the DSN for storage therein.

Abstract: A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module determining to remove data object index entries from a data object level index node, identifying data object index entries to extract, and creating a temporary sibling data object level index node to include the identified data object index entries. The method continues with the DS processing module initiating updating of an hierarchical ordered index structure by identifying an address for storing the temporary sibling data object level index node, setting up linking the temporary sibling data object level index node to a next level node and to an adjacent data object level index node, and determining whether a change has occurred. When the change has not occurred, the method continues with the DS processing module removing the data object index entries from the data object level index node and commencing the updating of the hierarchical ordered index structure.

Abstract: A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module concurrently receiving a first data stream and a second data stream for transmission to a receiving entity. The method continues with the DS processing module segmenting each of the first and second data streams to produce a first plurality of data segments and a second plurality of data segments, dividing one of the first plurality of data segments into a first plurality of data blocks, and dividing one of the second plurality of data segments into a second plurality of data blocks. The method continues with the DS processing module creating a data matrix from the first and second plurality of data blocks and generating a coded matrix from the data matrix and an encoding matrix. The method continues with the DS processing module outputting one or more pairs of coded values of the coded matrix to the receiving entity.

Abstract: A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing sending representations of a read-rebuild inquiry request to storage units and receiving a decode threshold number of encoded data slices in response. The method continues with the DS processing module receiving a remaining number of slice status responses regarding a remaining number of encoded data slices. The method continues with the DS processing module decoding the decode threshold number of encoded data slices to reproduce a data segment and interpreting the remaining number of slice status responses to determine whether one of the remaining number of encoded data slices includes an error. When determining the error, the method continues with the DS processing module generating a rebuilt encoded data slice based on the reproduced data segment to replace the one of the remaining number of encoded data slices that includes the error.