Abstract: When an access metric regarding an encoded data object exceeds an access threshold, a method begins by a processing module of a dispersed storage network (DSN) retrieving encoded data slices of a first plurality of sets of encoded data slices and recovering the data object utilizing first dispersed storage error encoding parameters. The method continues with the processing module re-encoding the recovered data object using second dispersed storage error encoding parameters to produce a re-encoded data object, where the re-encoded data object includes a second plurality of sets of encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module outputting the second plurality of sets of encoded data slices to storage units of the DSN for storage therein and sending a message to retrieving devices of the DSN, where the message indicates use of the second plurality of sets of encoded data slices for the data object.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module detecting a new storage unit within a dispersed storage network DSN. The method continues with the processing module determining to affiliate the new storage unit with a virtual memory vault, where the virtual memory vault is mapped to a set of storage units of the DSN, where data objects are dispersed storage error encoded into pluralities of sets of encoded data slices that are stored in the set of storage units. The method continues with the processing module determining virtual DSN addresses of the virtual memory vault to allocate the new storage unit. The method continues with the processing module updating vault information regarding the virtual memory vault to include the allocation of the virtual DSN addresses to the new storage unit.

Abstract: A method begins with a processing module receiving a request to store a data object from a first requesting device. The method continues with the processing module determining that a substantially similar version of the data object is currently stored in a DSN. The method continues with the processing module determining that a number of unique combinations of retrieving the plurality of sets of encoded data slices has exceeded a threshold and, when so, encoding, with a same decode threshold number and an increased pillar width number, the data object to create and store a plurality of sub-set of redundancy encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module creating a unique combination of retrieving the data object for the first requesting device based on the plurality of sets of encoded data slices and the plurality of sub-set of redundancy encoded data slices.

Abstract: A method for evolving dispersed storage network (DSN) memory in a DSN begins by a processing module generating tracking information by tracking evolutionary change of storage units of the DSN memory, performance and reliability requirements of the DSN memory, and memory utilization of the DSN memory. The method continues with the processing module, for a given state of evolution of the DSN memory, interpreting the tracking information to produce given state DSN memory data and establishing virtual DSN address boundaries for a set of the storage units for storing data objects in a virtual memory vault of the DSN, where the virtual memory vault is mapped to the set of the storage units, where the data objects are dispersed storage error encoded into pluralities of sets of encoded data slices that are stored in the set of the storage units in accordance with the virtual DSN address boundaries.

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 method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module generating a data object identifier for data to be stored in a dispersed storage network (DSN) and partitioning the data into a plurality of data partitions based on a set of retrieval preferences and data boundary information. For a data partition, the method continues with the DS processing module dispersed storage error encoding the data partition to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices and generating a plurality of sets of DSN addresses for the plurality of sets of encoded data slices, wherein a DSN address of the plurality of sets of DSN addresses includes a representation of the data object identifier, a representation of one or more retrieval preferences of the set of retrieval preferences, a representation of a corresponding portion of the data boundary information, and dispersed storage addressing information.

Abstract: A technique of selectively activating inactive distributed storage units of a dispersed storage network to retrieve a threshold number of data slices that are required to recover the original data, instead of utilizing all of the distributed storage units.

Abstract: A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module ingesting a plurality of data blocks of a large amount of data. The method continues with the DS processing module temporarily storing the plurality of data blocks and determining whether to not permanently store the plurality of data blocks. When the plurality of data blocks is to be permanently stored, the method continues with the DS processing module storing the plurality of data blocks and generating a group of partial redundancy data. When the plurality of data blocks is not to be permanently stored, the method continues with the DS processing module creating a new plurality of data blocks from other data blocks that are to be permanently stored and generating the group of partial redundancy data based on the new plurality of data blocks.

Abstract: A method begins by ingesting distributed storage (DS) units of a set of DS units storing respective portions of data. The method continues with each of the ingesting DS units generating first respective partial redundancy data and second respective partial redundancy data, sending the first respective partial redundancy data to a first redundancy DS unit of the set of DS units, and sending the second respective partial redundancy data to a second redundancy DS unit. The method continues with the first redundancy DS unit generating first respective redundancy data based on the first respective partial redundancy data of each of the ingesting DS units and storing the first respective redundancy data. The method continues with the second redundancy DS unit generating second respective redundancy data based on the second respective partial redundancy data of each of the ingesting DS units and storing the second respective redundancy data.

Abstract: A dispersed storage network includes a dispersed storage device to store data. The dispersed storage device includes a processing module operable to slice a data segment of a data object into data slices. The processing module further creates a slice name for each of the data slices. The slice name includes routing information containing a vault identifier that identifies a vault associated with the data object, in which the vault identifies at least one user. The slice name further includes a source data name containing an identifier of the data object.

Abstract: An integrity record is appended to data slices prior to being sent to multiple slice storage units. Each of the data slices includes a different encoded version of the same data segment. An integrity indicator of each data slice is computed, and the integrity record is generated based on each of the individual integrity indicators, and may be, for example, list or a hash of the combined integrity indicators. When retrieving data slices from storage, the integrity record can be stripped off, a new integrity indicator of the data slice calculated, and a new integrity record created. The new integrity record can be compared to the original integrity record, and used to verify the integrity of the data slices.

Abstract: A method begins by a distributed storage (DS) processing module identifying encoded data slices of stored encoded data slices to transfer, wherein the stored encoded data slices are assigned addresses within a local distributed storage network (DSN) address range, wherein a global DSN address space is divided into a plurality of address sectors, and wherein the local DSN address range is a portion of an address sector. The method continues with the DS processing module determining whether another local DSN address range in the address sector exists and when the other local DSN address range in the address sector exists, determining whether to transfer identified encoded data slices into the other local DSN address range. When the at least some of the identified encoded data slices are to be transferred, the method continues with the DS processing module initiating a data transfer protocol to transfer the identified encoded data slices.

Abstract: A method includes encoding, in accordance with a dispersed storage error encoding function, a data segment of a data object to produce a set of encoded data slices. The method further includes creating a subset of encoded data slices, wherein the subset of encoded data slices includes less than the decode threshold number of encoded data slices. The method further includes creating one or more partial encoded data slices representing one or more encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices that are not within the subset of encoded data slices based on the dispersed storage error encoding function and at least some of the encoded data slices of the subset of encoded data slices. The method further includes outputting the subset of encoded data slices to storage units of the DSN and outputting the one or more partial encoded data slices to another device of the DSN.

Abstract: A method for accessing data in a directory-less dispersed storage (DS) network. In various embodiments, the method begins when a DS processing unit receives a read request for data stored in accordance with a dispersed storage error encoding function. Estimated storage metadata is determined based on the identity of the data, the identity of the requesting unit, and data storage preferences of the requesting unit. The estimated storage metadata is used to determine a target set of storage units. Next, a retrieval request is sent to one or more storage units of the target set. If a favorable response is received (e.g., a read threshold number of storage units return encoded data slices), the data is decoded and forwarded to the requestor. Otherwise, the storage metadata is re-estimated and used to determine a second target set of storage units for solicitation. This process continues until a favorable response is received.

Abstract: A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module determining data block storage redundancy among a set of distributed storage and task (DST) execution units. The method continues with the DS processing module dispersed storage error encoding a data segment of data to produce a set of encoded data slices, where a first encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices includes at least one redundant encoded data block in common with a second encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices. The method continues with the DS processing module assigning a first partial task and a first encoded block processing order to a first DST execution unit regarding processing the first encoded data slice and assigning a second partial task and a second encoded block processing order to a second DST execution unit regarding processing the second encoded data slice.

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 includes encoding a plurality of data objects using first dispersed storage error encoding parameters having a first level of redundancy to produce first plurality of encoded data objects. The method includes generating first storage commands for temporary storage of the first plurality of encoded data objects. The method includes selecting a set of data objects from the plurality of data objects for permanent storage. The method includes encoding the set of data objects using second dispersed storage error encoding parameters having a second level of redundancy to produce a second plurality of encoded data objects, wherein the second level of redundancy is greater than the first level of redundancy. The method includes generating second storage commands for permanent storage of the second plurality of encoded data objects.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module generating a transaction number and generating at least a threshold number of dispersed storage network (DSN) concurrency requests, wherein each of the at least the threshold number of DSN concurrency requests includes a header section and a payload section; each of the payload sections includes the transaction number, a last known slice revision number, and a slice name section, wherein a first slice name section of a first one of the payload sections includes one or more first slice names that includes a first slice name corresponding to a first encoded data slice of a set of encoded data slices; and a second slice name section of a second one of the payload sections includes one or more second slice names that includes a second slice name corresponding to a second encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices.

Abstract: A method begins by a first device generating a self-validating message by creating a master key, using the master key to create a message encryption key, encrypting a message using the message encryption key to produce an encrypted message, encrypting the master key using a public key of a second device to produce an encrypted master key, and including a message authentication code of the first device in the self-validating message. The method continues by the second device receiving and decoding the self-validating message by verifying the message authentication code of the first device, and when the message authentication code of the first device is verified, decrypting the encrypted master key using a private key of the second device to recover the master key, using the master key to create the message encryption key, and decrypting the encrypted message using the message encryption key to recover the message.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module a dispersed storage network (DSN) generating, based on a data object name, a first retrieval request for retrieving metadata addressing information, where the first retrieval request is formatted in accordance with a read request format of the DSN. The method continues with the processing module generating, based on retrieved metadata addressing information, a second retrieval request for retrieving metadata, where the second retrieval request is formatted in accordance with the read request format of the DSN. The method continues with the processing module generating, based on retrieved metadata, a third retrieval request for retrieving at least a portion of a data object associated with the data object name, where the third retrieval request is formatted in accordance with the read request format of the DSN.