Abstract: A computing device of a dispersed storage network includes a processing module operable to receive a plurality of requests regarding writing a plurality of data objects to storage units from a plurality of user computing devices. The processing module is further operable to activate a verification process to verify a content format verification code provided by a user computing device for a request regarding writing a data object, activate a signature process to sign the content format verification code with a trusted certificate to produce a signed content format verification code, send the trusted certificate and a signed content format verification code identification to a dispersed storage (DS) processing unit, receive a verification message indicating that the content format verification code identifies a correct format for the data object, and send the data object in the correct format to the DS processing unit for dispersed storage error encoding and storage.

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 determining a DSN node configuration automatically during deployment. The method continues by modifying the DSN node configuration to enable/disable specific hardware features. The method continues by modifying the DSN node configuration to test hardware failure scenarios. The method continues by modifying the DSN node configuration for component replacement procedures. The method continues by reporting the modified DSN node configuration to a DSN management unit and providing a status on component and health of the DSN node to an operator of the DSN.

Abstract: A method for coordinating management of operation risks in a distributed storage network (DSN) that includes multiple distributed computing systems including DSN memories begins with a global coordinating unit receiving messages including metadata from managing units associated with the multiple distributed computing systems. The method continues with the global coordinating unit determining, based on the metadata, that storage units in one or more of the distributed computing systems are executing or planning to execute an operation that could result in data loss or data outage. The method continues with the global coordinating unit transmitting an alert, including a command to halt the operation at the affected distributed computing systems.

Abstract: A method includes, for a storage unit of a set of storage units of the DSN, performing at least one of determining whether a data access request for the storage unit is atypical, determining whether an error rate for the storage unit is atypical, and determining whether a response rate for the storage unit is atypical. When the at least one of the data access request, the error rate, and the response rate for the storage unit is atypical, the method continues by identifying the storage unit as having a security risk. The method continues by executing a security response for the storage unit based on the security risk.

Abstract: A method begins by determining, by a local management unit of a first locally operated dispersed storage network (DSN) memory of a DSN, a DSN memory issue, where the DSN includes a plurality of locally operated DSN memories and at least one global DSN management unit, and where the plurality of locally operated DSN memories includes the first locally operated DSN memory. The method continues by determining whether the DSN issue is a global DSN issue or a local DSN issue. When the DSN issue is the global DSN issue, the method continues by determining whether the local management unit is configured as a DSN global management unit. When the local management unit is not configured as the global DSN management unit, the method continues by generating DSN operational issue information based on the DSN memory issue and sending the DSN operational issue information to the global DSN management unit.

Abstract: A method for execution by dispersed storage network (DSN) monitoring unit that includes a processor includes receiving configuration parameters via an interface of the DSN monitoring unit. A configuration update request is generated for transmission to a plurality of managing units based on the configuration parameters. Collected storage unit data is received from each of the plurality of managing units. Aggregated storage statistics are generated based on the collected storage unit data received from each of the plurality of managing units.

Abstract: A method for execution by a dispersed storage and task (DST) processing unit includes determining a first optimal slice size requirement is determined for a first independent data element (IDE). The first IDE is split into a first plurality of IDEs based on determining the first IDE compares unfavorably to the first optimal slice size requirement. An error coding function is performed on the first plurality of IDEs to produce a set of encoded slices for each of the first plurality of IDEs for transmission to storage units. A subset of additional IDEs are selected to be merged into a merged IDE based on a second optimal slice size requirement, and continuous content of the subset of additional IDEs is concatenated to produce the merged IDE. The error coding function is performed on the merged IDE to produce a second set of encoded slices for transmission to storage units.

Abstract: A method for execution by a dispersed storage and task (DST) processing unit includes determining a first optimal slice size requirement is determined for a first independent data element (IDE). The first IDE is split into a first plurality of IDEs based on determining the first IDE compares unfavorably to the first optimal slice size requirement. An error coding function is performed on the first plurality of IDEs to produce a set of encoded slices for each of the first plurality of IDEs for transmission to storage units. A subset of additional IDEs are selected to be merged into a merged IDE based on a second optimal slice size requirement, and continuous content of the subset of additional IDEs is concatenated to produce the merged IDE. The error coding function is performed on the merged IDE to produce a second set of encoded slices for transmission to storage units.

Abstract: A method for execution by a dispersed storage and task (DST) processing unit includes determining a first optimal slice size requirement is determined for a first independent data element (IDE). The first IDE is split into a first plurality of IDEs based on determining the first IDE compares unfavorably to the first optimal slice size requirement. An error coding function is performed on the first plurality of IDEs to produce a set of encoded slices for each of the first plurality of IDEs for transmission to storage units. A subset of additional IDEs are selected to be merged into a merged IDE based on a second optimal slice size requirement, and continuous content of the subset of additional IDEs is concatenated to produce the merged IDE. The error coding function is performed on the merged IDE to produce a second set of encoded slices for transmission to storage units.

Abstract: A method for a dispersed storage network (DSN), the method begins by creating a plurality of DSN storage sites including a subset of a plurality of DSN storage units, retrieving current site configuration for each of the plurality of DSN storage units and electing a local master management unit for each of the DSN storage sites. The method continues by maintaining aggregated views of each the DSN storage sites via each of the local master management units, collecting, via the local master management unit, local state information from the subset of a plurality of DSN storage units, calculating, via the local master management unit, tabulated state information and distributing the tabulated state information across all storage units within the DSN storage site, thus reaching consistency. The method includes updating the DSN management unit with the tabulated state information.

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 determining a DSN node configuration automatically during deployment. The method continues by modifying the DSN node configuration to enable/disable specific hardware features. The method continues by modifying the DSN node configuration to test hardware failure scenarios. The method continues by modifying the DSN node configuration for component replacement procedures. The method continues by reporting the modified DSN node configuration to a DSN management unit and providing a status on component and health of the DSN node to an operator of 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 gathering, at a DSN management unit, an abstracted DSN node hardware configuration and associated node health information for a plurality of DSN nodes residing in the DSN. The method continues by generating a graphical display indicating a state and a presence of the plurality of DSN nodes and associated hardware. The method continues by performing, at the DSN management unit, specific remediating actions on the plurality of DSN nodes based on the state and presence of the plurality of DSN nodes and associated hardware.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module determining, by a first storage unit, that a storage growth rate is unfavorable for the first storage unit over an estimated time frame of reallocating at least a portion of encoded data slices stored in the first storage unit to one or more additional storage units. The method continues with the processing module when the storage growth rate is unfavorable, selecting an unfavorable growth rate abatement approach to include prioritizing new deletes and outgoing allocations such that estimated required storage capacity is less than available storage capacity of the first storage unit for the estimated time frame of the reallocation of the at least a portion of encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module facilitating implementation of the unfavorable growth rate abatement approach.

Abstract: A method includes delegating, by a managing unit of a dispersed storage network (DSN), authority to configure a sub-portion of at least a portion of the DSN managed by the managing unit to a designated entity according to one or more configuration constraints. The managing unit manages parent configuration data that contains a compilation of configuration changes made to the at least a portion of the DSN. The method further includes managing, by the designated entity, child configuration data that includes a compilation of configuration changes made to the sub-portion of the at least a portion of the DSN. The method further includes, when resolution of the child configuration data and the parent configuration data is triggered, determining whether the child configuration data is formatted in a manner consistent with formatting of the parent configuration data and, if so, incorporating the child configuration data into the parent configuration data.

Abstract: A storage unit (SU) in a dispersed storage network (DSN) coordinates with affiliated dispersed storage units (SUs) to designate a leader SU among the plurality of SUs and when the SU is designated the leader, receives management information that is associated with the affiliated SUs from at least some of the affiliated SUs. The SU processes the management information from the at least some of the affiliated SUs to determine whether at least one of the affiliated SUs is offline; and based on a determination that the at least one of the SUs of the affiliated SUs is offline, transmits the management information for the affiliated SUs to one or more administrators associated with the DSN.

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 processing circuitry operably coupled to the interface and to the memory. The processing circuitry is configured to execute the operational instructions to perform various operations and functions. The computing device selects storage parameters for a multi-vault synchronization process from a first storage vault to a second storage vault. The computing device synchronizes storage of the set(s) of ingestion encoded data slices (EDSs) between the vaults and maintains storage of a portion of an ingestion data stream within the second storage vault. The computing device facilitates deletion of the set(s) of ingestion EDSs corresponding to the portion of an ingestion data stream from the first storage vault. the computing device performs additional multi-vault synchronization process(es) for any other portion(s) of the ingestion data stream.

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 determining to recover a data object from one or more storage vaults of a plurality of storage vaults where the data object has been synchronously stored amongst the plurality of storage vaults. The method continues, for each storage vault, by determining a slice retrieval performance level and selecting two or more storage vaults of the plurality of storage vaults for retrieval based on the slice retrieval performance levels. The method continues by identifying a plurality of data segments for retrieval where the data object was divided into the plurality of data objects and assigning a storage vault for retrieval to produce assignment information and facilitating recovery of each data segment of the plurality of data segments from the selected two or more storage vaults.

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 to produce a key and issuing a set of blinded passwords to a set of storage units, where the blinded passwords are generated based on the key. The method continues by receiving at least a decode threshold number of confidential information responses, where each of the confidential information responses includes an encrypted encoded data slice and an associated passkey, 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 for execution by one or more processing modules of one or more computing devices of a dispersed storage network (DSN). The method begins by receiving a portion of a data stream from a requesting entity for storage in a plurality of storage vaults. The method continues by encoding the portion of the data stream in accordance with dispersal parameters of the storage vault to produce a corresponding plurality of sets of encoded data slices. The method continues by facilitating storage of the corresponding plurality of sets of encoded data slices in the storage vault. The method continues by determining an ingestion rate capability level for the plurality of storage vaults and issuing stream pacing information to the requesting entity based on the ingestion rate capability level.

Abstract: A method includes maintaining, by a storage unit, a plurality of source name based addressing maps regarding encoding data slice storage by a plurality of storage units. The method further includes receiving, by the storage unit, an access request for an encoded data slice having a source name corresponding to a DSN address. The method further includes accessing, by the storage unit, the source name based address maps to determine whether the encoded data slice is effected by the DAP redistribution operation. The method further includes, when the encoded data slice is effected by the DAP redistribution operation, determining, by the storage unit, to execute the access request, proxy the access request, or deny the access request. The method further includes, when the determination is to execute the access request, executing, by the storage unit, the access request for the encoded data slice.