Abstract: A method for execution by storage network begins by identifying a subset of encoded data slices stored in a set of storage units for enhanced access and interpreting registry data to determine a listing type. The method continues by generating listing slice names for the subset of encoded data slices based on the listing type and sending the listing slice names to the set of storage units, where each storage unit updating storage and/or listing of at least some of the subset of encoded data slices associated with the storage unit based on the listing type and each storage unit issuing slice access information to a requesting entity in response to one or more slice access requests in accordance with the listing type for some of the subset of encoded data slices and the requesting entity receiving slice access information from at least some of the set of storage units.

Abstract: A storage network is operable to determining storage performance for a set of storage resources of the storage network. Based on the storage performance, utilization of an updated set of storage resources is facilitated. An additional set of storage resources are added to a set of storage resources to produce the updated set of storage resources. A new plurality of encoded data slices are generated to produce an updated plurality of encoded data slices that includes the new plurality of encoded data slices. The new plurality of encoded data slices are stored in the updated set of storage resources, where at least some of the new plurality of encoded data slices are stored in the additional set of storage resources.

Abstract: A method begins by determining storage performance for a set of storage resources of the storage network, where data is error encoded into pluralities of sets of encoded data slices in accordance with error encoding parameters, and, for a set of encoded data slices, the error encoding parameters include a decode threshold number and a pillar width threshold number. The method continues by determining a storage provisioning implementation for the set of storage resources based on the storage performance and a storage performance range threshold. The method continues by facilitating the storage provisioning implementation to produce an updated set of storage resources. The method continues by maintaining storage of the set of encoded data slices in accordance with the storage provisioning implementation, where the decode threshold number of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices remains available during the facilitating the storage provisioning implementation.

Abstract: A method for execution by one or more computing devices of a storage network includes receiving an upgrade request for software of a set of dispersed storage units of a storage network. The method further includes selecting one or more dispersed storage units of the set of dispersed storage units for software upgrading based on available dispersed storage units such that at least an active number of dispersed storage units of the set of dispersed storage units remain active during an upgrade sequence associated with the software upgrading. The method further includes upgrading the software of the selected one or more dispersed storage units in accordance with the upgrade request.

Abstract: A method for execution on a storage network begins with receipt of a data object for storage by a plurality of users and continues with a storage network processing unit determining whether the data object is associated with a replica storage node of a plurality of replica storage nodes associated with the storage network. When the data object is associated with a replica storage node, the method continues by facilitating storing the data object in each replica storage node of the plurality of replica storage nodes and receiving a plurality of access responses from at least some replica storage nodes of the plurality of replica storage nodes. The method then continues by determining whether an access response threshold number of access responses have been received and finally, in response to a determination that an access response threshold number of access responses have been received, transmitting an acknowledgement to the plurality of users.

Abstract: A method for execution in a storage network begins by performing a key derivation function on a password to produce a key and issuing a set of passwords based on the key to a set of storage units, where a data object is dispersed error encoded in accordance with dispersed error encoding parameters to produce a set of encoded data slices and the set of encoded data slices are stored in the set of storage units. The method continues, by receiving at least a decode threshold number of confidential information responses from the set of storage units and regenerating a set of keys for the confidential information responses. The method then continues by decrypting the confidential information responses using the set of keys to reproduce a set of encoded data slices and dispersed storage error decoding a decode threshold number of the set of encoded data slices to produce recovered data.

Abstract: A method for execution by a distributed storage network begins by receiving a request to transfer a copy of a set of encoded data slices from at least some associated virtual storage vaults to a destination virtual storage vault and continues by determining whether the destination storage unit supports a source virtual storage vault of the at least some source virtual storage vaults. When the destination storage unit supports the source virtual storage vault the method continues by determining a sub-set of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices for transfer and finally, by facilitating sending the sub-set of encoded data slices to the destination storage unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for use in coordinating distributed computing networks such as distributed storage networks. In an embodiment, a coordination unit establishes connections with managing units of the distributed computing networks. For example, the managing units can initiate the connections via connection messages. The coordination unit further transmits coordination messages to the managing units. The coordination messages can include update information and requests specifying information gathering tasks to be executed by the distributed computing networks. In an example, the coordination unit receives a response to a first coordination message from a first managing unit. The coordination unit transmits a second coordination message to a second managing unit, wherein the second coordination message includes information related to the information gathered by the first distributed computing network in response to the first coordination message.

Abstract: A method for execution in a storage network begins by performing a key derivation function on a password to produce a key and issuing a set of passwords based on the key to a set of storage units, where a data object is dispersed error encoded in accordance with dispersed error encoding parameters to produce a set of encoded data slices and the set of encoded data slices are stored in the set of storage units. The method continues, by receiving at least a decode threshold number of confidential information responses from the set of storage units and regenerating a set of keys for the confidential information responses. The method then continues by decrypting the confidential information responses using the set of keys to reproduce a set of encoded data slices and dispersed storage error decoding a decode threshold number of the set of encoded data slices to produce recovered data.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module of a storage unit of a storage network identifying a first storage format used to store a plurality of encoded data slices in a first memory of the storage unit and continues with the processing module determining to utilize another storage format for storage of the plurality of encoded data slices. The method then continues, with the storage unit selecting a second storage format for storage of the plurality of encoded data slices and initiating migration of the plurality of encoded data slices from the first storage format to storage using the second storage format. Finally, the method continues with updating a performance metric for at least a portion of the storage network while initiating migrating the plurality of encoded data slices.

Abstract: A method for execution by a distributed storage network begins by receiving a request to transfer a copy of a set of encoded data slices from at least some associated virtual storage vaults to a destination virtual storage vault and continues by determining whether the destination storage unit supports a source virtual storage vault of the at least some source virtual storage vaults. When the destination storage unit supports the source virtual storage vault the method continues by determining a sub-set of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices for transfer and finally, by facilitating sending the sub-set of encoded data slices to the destination storage unit.

Abstract: A method for execution by a dispersed storage network (DSN). The method begins by obtaining a data object for synchronized storage within a plurality of storage vaults, identifying a plurality of storage vaults, encoding the data object for each storage vault, initiating storage of data slices for each storage vault and interpreting received data slice information from at least some of the storage vaults to determine a number of storage vaults that have successfully stored the corresponding plurality of sets of encoded data slices and when the vault threshold number of storage vaults have not successfully stored the corresponding plurality of sets of encoded data slices within a synchronization timeframe, initiating a rollback process to abandon storage of the data object in the plurality of storage vaults and a store data response to indicate unsuccessful synchronized storage of the data object in the plurality of storage vaults.

Abstract: A computing device includes an interface configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed storage network (DSN), a memory that stores operational instructions, and a processing module operably coupled to the interface and memory such that the processing module, when operable within the computing device based on the operational instructions, is configured to perform various operations. The computing device receives, from another computing device, a vault provisioning request and processes the vault provisioning request to determine whether the other computing device is authorized to request provisioning of another vault within the DSN. When the other computing device is authorized, the computing device generates a vault within the DSN in response to the vault provisioning request from the other computing device and updates access control information within the DSN to include an initial access control for the vault and an identifier of the other computing device.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module of a storage unit of a storage network identifying a first storage format used to store a plurality of encoded data slices in a first memory of the storage unit and continues with the processing module determining to utilize another storage format for storage of the plurality of encoded data slices. The method then continues, with the storage unit selecting a second storage format for storage of the plurality of encoded data slices and initiating migration of the plurality of encoded data slices from the first storage format to storage using the second storage format. Finally, the method continues with updating a performance metric for at least a portion of the storage network while initiating migrating the plurality of encoded data slices.

Abstract: A computing device includes an interface configured to interface and communicate with a communication system, a memory that stores operational instructions, and processing circuitry operably coupled to the interface and to the memory that is configured to execute the operational instructions to perform various operations. The computing device monitors a current state of a distributed storage and task processing network (DSTN) management unit by periodically collecting metadata that is compared to a previously recognized similar state. The computing device facilitates returning a resolution to the DSTN management unit to modify the current state using corrective actions and the DSTN management unit is configured to automatically execute the resolution or to record the resolution. Recorded resolutions are later passed to operators assigned to the DSN.

Abstract: A method for execution by one or more processing modules of one or more computing devices of a dispersed storage network (DSN), the method begins by performing a key derivation function on a password and issuing a set of blinded passwords to a set of storage units. The method continues by receiving at least a decode threshold number of confidential information responses, regenerating a set of keys using the associated passkeys of the confidential information, decrypting a set of encrypted slices of the confidential information using the set of keys to reproduce a set of encoded data slices, and dispersed storage error decoding a decode threshold number of the set of reproduced encoded data slices to produce recovered data.

Abstract: A method includes identifying an existing logical storage vault having existing dispersed storage coding properties for vault transformation, where a first set of storage units support the existing logical storage vault, and a data object of first data objects stored within the first set of storage units is stored as a first plurality of sets of encoded data slices in accordance with the existing dispersed storage coding properties. The method includes identifying a new logical storage vault having new dispersed storage coding properties, wherein storage units support the new logical storage vault. The method includes transforming the first data objects from being in accordance with the existing dispersed storage coding properties to being in accordance with the new dispersed storage coding properties to produce transformed first data objects. The method includes storing the transformed first data objects in the new logical storage vault supported by the storage units.

Abstract: A method begins with a processing module obtaining a data object from a user and identifying a plurality of virtual storage vaults (VSVs) for storage of the data object. The method continues with the processing module determining dispersal error encoding parameters associated with a first virtual storage vault and error encoding the data object in accordance with those dispersal error encoding parameters to produce a corresponding plurality of sets of encoded data slices (EDSs), issuing write slice requests for the EDSs and receiving EDS information from at least some of the plurality of VSVs. When the EDS information indicates that a threshold number of VSVs have successfully stored the plurality of sets of encoded data slices within a synchronization timeframe, the method continues with the processing module issuing a favorable response to the user, or when a threshold number of VSVs have not successfully stored the plurality of sets of encoded data slices initiating a retry process.

Abstract: A method for execution by storage network begins by identifying a subset of encoded data slices stored in a set of storage units for enhanced access and interpreting registry data to determine a listing type. The method continues by generating listing slice names for the subset of encoded data slices based on the listing type and sending the listing slice names to the set of storage units, where each storage unit updating storage and/or listing of at least some of the subset of encoded data slices associated with the storage unit based on the listing type and each storage unit issuing slice access information to a requesting entity in response to one or more slice access requests in accordance with the listing type for some of the subset of encoded data slices and the requesting entity receiving slice access information from at least some of the set of storage units.

Abstract: A method for updating storage resources in a dispersed storage network operates to determine a storage utilization factor for a storage pool that includes a set of storage resources when old storage resources are being reallocated to new storage resources. The method continues by denying write type requests during reallocation when the storage utilization factor is at or above a threshold and processing write type requests when the storage utilization factor is at or below the threshold. When the reallocation is complete the storage utilization factor is recalculated.