Abstract: A method includes receiving a data access request from a requesting device regarding one or more encoded data slices. A data object is dispersed storage error encoded into a plurality of sets of encoded data slices that are stored in storage units of a dispersed storage network (DSN). The method further includes determining whether one or more of the data access request, the requesting device, and the data object is affiliated with a DSN entity flagged for enhanced security monitoring. When the one or more of the data access request, the requesting device, and the data object is affiliated with the DSN entity flagged for enhanced security monitoring, the method further includes determining enhanced security monitoring parameters; generating security monitoring information in accordance with the enhanced security monitoring parameters; determining a DSN security threat level; and implementing a security protocol based on the DSN security threat level.

Abstract: A dispersed storage network (DSN) computing device detects that an accelerated backup scheduling event has occurred, e.g., detecting signs of a likely memory device failure, limited bandwidth or connectivity, expensive bandwidth, and/or dwindling power reserves. A first subset of data objects from among a set of data objects to be backed up is identified and these are backed up first. Such subset of data objects may be the smallest data objects, data objects that are most frequently accessed, data objects that have gone the longest since being backed up, or data objects that are new or modified since a last back up. The accelerated backup of the subset of data may be scheduled immediately or scheduled based upon urgency. The computing device may also pre-load other data objects subsequent to detecting an accelerated backup scheduling event has occurred.

Abstract: A method for use in a dispersed storage network includes receiving location data corresponding to a location of a client computing device; determining, based on the location data, that the client computing device is at a location outside a home area of the client computing device; and transferring pre-fetch slices associated with the client computing device from a first plurality of dispersed storage units associated with the home area of the client computing device for storage in a second plurality of dispersed storage units associated with the location of the client computing device.

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 that is configured to perform various operations. The computing device monitors for condition(s) that triggers expansion of a private DSN memory that stores encoded data slices (EDSs), and when that condition occurs, the computing device generates a modified copy of the EDSs that includes a read and/or write threshold number of EDSs of the EDSs. The computing device transmits the modified copy of EDSs to a public DSN memory for storage within the public DSN memory. The computing device then services first read request and/or write request based on the private DSN memory that stores the plurality of EDSs and services second read request and/or write request based on public DSN memory that stores the modified copy of the plurality of EDSs.

Abstract: A method for execution by a dispersed storage and task (DST) processing unit includes: generating an encoded data slice from a dispersed storage encoding of a data object and determining when the encoded data slice will not be stored in local dispersed storage. When the encoded data slice will not be stored in the local dispersed storage, the encoded data slice is stored via at least one elastic slice in an elastic dispersed storage, an elastic storage pointer is generated indicating a location of the elastic slice in the elastic dispersed storage, and the elastic storage pointer is stored in the local dispersed storage.

Abstract: A method for execution by a dispersed storage and task (DST) processing unit includes: generating an encoded data slice from a dispersed storage encoding of a data object and determining when the encoded data slice will not be stored in local dispersed storage. When the encoded data slice will not be stored in the local dispersed storage, the encoded data slice is stored via at least one elastic slice in an elastic dispersed storage, cryptographic material and an elastic storage pointer indicating a location of the elastic slice in the elastic dispersed storage are generated, and the cryptographic material and the elastic storage pointer are stored in the local dispersed storage.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining, by a computing device, a plurality of sets of encoded data slices for storage in memory of a dispersed storage network (DSN). The method further includes identifying, by the computing device, a desired set of storage units within pools of storage units for storing the plurality of sets of encoded data slices. The method further includes generating, by the computing device, a specific source name based on the desired set of storage units and a distributed agreement protocol (DAP). The method further includes generating, by the computing device, a plurality of sets of slices names that includes the specific source name. The method further includes sending, by the computing device, a plurality of sets of write requests to the desired set of storage units regarding the plurality of sets of encoded data slices and in accordance with the plurality of sets of slice names.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a data access issue between a computing device and a first set of storage units regarding a data object. The method further includes determining whether the computing device will have a lessened data access issue with a second set of storage units. The method further includes, when the computing device will have the lessened data access issue with the second set of storage units, sending a copy of a transfer number of encoded data slices for each set of a plurality of sets of encoded data slices from at least some of the storage units of the first set of storage units to at least some of the storage units of the second set of storage units. The method further includes establishing access for the computing device to access the second set of storage units regarding the data object.