Abstract: A method for execution by a dispersed storage and task (DST) unit includes receiving a request for DSN configuration information from one of a plurality of additional DST units via a network. Distributed storage network (DSN) configuration information is generated for transmission to a second DST unit in response to receiving the request. An access request that indicates a data object is received from a requesting entity via the network. An access of a set of encoded data slices corresponding to the data object based on the access request, where the set of encoded data slices are stored in a set of DST units, and where the set of DST units includes the DST unit and a subset of the plurality of additional DST units. The access of the set of encoded data slices is processed to produce a data response for transmission to the requesting entity via the network.

Abstract: A method for execution by a dispersed storage and task (DST) unit includes receiving a request for DSN configuration information from one of a plurality of additional DST units via a network. Distributed storage network (DSN) configuration information is generated for transmission to a second DST unit in response to receiving the request. An access request that indicates a data object is received from a requesting entity via the network. An access of a set of encoded data slices corresponding to the data object based on the access request, where the set of encoded data slices are stored in a set of DST units, and where the set of DST units includes the DST unit and a subset of the plurality of additional DST units. The access of the set of encoded data slices is processed to produce a data response for transmission to the requesting entity via the network.

Abstract: A method for executing a software update within a dispersed storage network (DSN) includes determining, by a management unit of the DSN, a type of the software update. The method further includes generating, based on the type of the software update, a software update plan for updating a set of storage unit groups of the DSN, where a first storage unit group of the set of storage unit groups includes one or more storage units and stores first encoded data slices of pluralities of sets of encoded data slices, and where the software update plan aggressively takes storage units of the set of storage unit groups offline for executing the software update when the type of the software update requires urgency while maintaining a sufficient number of storage units online to fulfill DSN access requests. The method further includes executing, by the management unit, the software update plan to update the set of groups of storage units with the software update.

Abstract: A method for execution by a dispersed storage and task (DST) unit includes receiving a request for DSN configuration information from one of a plurality of additional DST units via a network. Distributed storage network (DSN) configuration information is generated for transmission to a second DST unit in response to receiving the request. An access request that indicates a data object is received from a requesting entity via the network. An access of a set of encoded data slices corresponding to the data object based on the access request, where the set of encoded data slices are stored in a set of DST units, and where the set of DST units includes the DST unit and a subset of the plurality of additional DST units. The access of the set of encoded data slices is processed to produce a data response for transmission to the requesting entity via the network.