Abstract: A dispersed storage network (DSN) includes multiple storage units. A processing unit included in the DSN detects a failing storage unit, and issues an error indicator to a recovery unit. The error indicator indicates the failing storage unit. To verify that the storage unit is failing, the recovery unit issues a test request to the failing storage unit. The recovery unit determines to implement a corrective action for recovery units that are determined to be actually failing, and facilitates implementing the corrective action.

Abstract: A computing device includes an interface configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed or distributed 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 first samples corresponding to inputs that characterize configuration of the DSN and receives second samples corresponding to outputs that characterize system behavior of the DSN. The computing device then processes the first and samples to generate a DSN model to generate predictive performance of the outputs based on various values of the inputs. In some instances, the DSN model is based on a neural network model that employs the inputs that characterize the configuration of the DSN and generates the outputs that characterize system behavior of the DSN.

Abstract: A method for execution by a dispersed storage and task (DST) execution unit identifying a failing memory device based on memory device diagnostic data. A cloning task is executed by designating memory of a replacement memory device to store encoded slices stored in the failing memory device, where the cloning task is executed over a cloning duration time period. A write request is received via a network at a receiving time during the cloning duration time period that includes a new encoded slice, and the new encoded slice is assigned to a temporary memory device for storage based on an identifier of the new encoded. The new encoded slice is transferred from the temporary memory device to the replacement memory device in response to an elapsing of the cloning duration time period corresponding to completion of the execution of the cloning task.

Abstract: A computing device includes an interface configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed or distributed 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 first samples corresponding to inputs that characterize configuration of the DSN and receives second samples corresponding to outputs that characterize system behavior of the DSN. The computing device then processes the first and samples to generate a DSN model to generate predictive performance of the outputs based on various values of the inputs. In some instances, the DSN model is based on a neural network model that employs the inputs that characterize the configuration of the DSN and generates the outputs that characterize system behavior of the DSN.

Abstract: A method for execution by a dispersed storage and task (DST) execution unit identifying a failing memory device based on memory device diagnostic data. A cloning task is executed by designating memory of a replacement memory device to store encoded slices stored in the failing memory device, where the cloning task is executed over a cloning duration time period. A write request is received via a network at a receiving time during the cloning duration time period that includes a new encoded slice, and the new encoded slice is assigned to a temporary memory device for storage based on an identifier of the new encoded. The new encoded slice is transferred from the temporary memory device to the replacement memory device in response to an elapsing of the cloning duration time period corresponding to completion of the execution of the cloning task.

Abstract: Based on a detected data transfer instruction, a computing device within a dispersed storage network (DSN) determines a data transfer synchronization protocol that substantially maintains synchronization of at least the write threshold number of first associated slices (e.g., a first row of encoded data slices) to be transferred from the first set of storage units (SUs) to a second set of SUs based on a substantially same first transfer rate and substantially maintains synchronization of at least the write threshold number of second associated slices (e.g., a second row of encoded data slices) to be transferred from the first set of SUs to the second set of SUs based on a substantially same second transfer rate. The computing device then executes the data transfer synchronization protocol to perform substantially synchronized transfer of respective sets of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices from the first set of SUs to the second set of SUs.

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 identifying a DSN address range to be mapped to a physical memory location within a storage unit of a set of storage units. The method continues by coordinating selection of the physical memory location to be mapped to the DSN address range in accordance with a selection approach to produce mapping information. The method continues by updating a local DSN address range to memory location table based on the mapping information. The method continues by receiving a slice access request and identifying a memory location corresponding to a slice name of the slice access requests based on an interpretation of the local DSN address range to memory location table of the storage unit.

Abstract: Methods for use in a dispersed storage network (DSN) to enable sharing of storage unit performance ranking information between computing devices. In one example, a new computing device of the DSN requests performance ranking information from one or more established computing devices, or from a database of such information that is curated by the DSN. After receiving and storing such information, the new computing device utilizes it to select one or more storage units/sets of storage units for performing dispersed storage operations (e.g., retrieval or storage of dispersed storage error encoded data). The computing device may then update the stored performance ranking information with information regarding such dispersed storage operations, and subsequently share the updated performance ranking information with other computing devices of the DSN and/or a database maintained by the DSN.

Abstract: An auto indexing method includes identifying a vault of a dispersed storage network for an auto indexing function. The method continues by obtaining search criteria for the auto indexing function. The method further includes scanning the plurality of metadata files to identify metadata files of the plurality of metadata files having at least one of the objective metadata and the subjective metadata corresponding to the search criterion. The method further includes updating an index file that includes the identity of the one or more metadata files of the plurality of metadata files having the at least one of the objective metadata and the subjective metadata corresponding to the search criterion and updating an index structure based on the index file. The method further includes utilizing the index structure to search for one or more data objects having one or more of the search criterion of the search criteria.

Abstract: A method for a dispersed storage network (DSN) begins by determining an I/O (input/output) capacity of a storage level of DSN memory. The method continues by determining a required performance level to meet operational demands of services operating at the storage level. The method continues by setting a storage level throttle rate based on the I/O capacity and the required performance level and determining a remaining I/O performance of the DSN memory to be allocated to a higher storage level.

Abstract: A dispersed storage network (DSN) includes a DSN memory employing multiple distributed storage (DS) units, e.g., memory devices, operating at multiple different physical sites, with each site having one or more of the memory devices. A monitoring entity can monitor the sites to determine a data loss rate and a threshold communication bandwidth, e.g., a bandwidth available for rebuilding encoded data slices, associated with particular sites. If the data loss rate of a particular site exceeds the threshold communication bandwidth, the monitoring unit can send an alert message notifying, for example, a DSN controller, an integrity processing unit, the DSN memory, about the determination, so that corrective action can be taken.

Abstract: A method begins with requesting access to a dispersed storage (DS) processing unit. The method continues by receiving, based on available access permits of the DS processing unit, an error indication denying access to the DS processing unit. The method continues by retrieving from a public directory a number of available access permits for a plurality of other DS processing units. The method continues by determining which of the other DS processing units have a plurality of available access permits and reissuing the access request to at least one of the other DS processing units.

Abstract: A method begins by communicating memory management information between a dispersed storage (DS) management unit and a plurality of DS execution units. The method continues by generating, by the DS management unit, managing use information. The method continues by sending the managing use information to a DS optimization unit. The method continues by receiving from the DS optimization unit optimization information based on an analysis of the sent managing use information. The method continues by updating a DS management unit managing approach based on the received optimization information.

Abstract: A computing device includes an interface configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed or distributed 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 first samples corresponding to inputs that characterize configuration of the DSN and receives second samples corresponding to outputs that characterize system behavior of the DSN. The computing device then processes the first and samples to generate a DSN model to generate predictive performance of the outputs based on various values of the inputs. In some instances, the DSN model is based on a neural network model that employs the inputs that characterize the configuration of the DSN and generates the outputs that characterize system behavior of the DSN.

Abstract: Monitoring the health status of a distributed storage network (DSN) can include obtaining first status information indicating a first operational status of at least one DSN memory at a first point in time, the first operational status indicating one or more first operational issues. Second status information indicating a second operational status of the at least one DSN memory at a later point in time is obtained. The first operational status is compared to the second operational status to identify outstanding operational issues, e.g. issues that are indicated in both the first status information and the second status information. Each outstanding operational issue is mapped to an impact category, and an escalation level is determined based, at least in part, on the impact category. Notifications for a particular issue can be sent based on the escalation level for that issue.

Abstract: A method for execution by a dispersed storage network (DSN) managing unit includes receiving access information from a plurality of DST processing units via a network. Cache memory utilization data is generated based on the access information. Configuration instructions are generated for transmission via the network to the plurality of DST processing units based on the cache memory utilization data.

Abstract: Methods for assigning data storage resources are disclosed. The methods includes obtaining memory resource availability information for a plurality of physical memory devices of a dispersed storage network, determining a number of logical storage units for the dispersed storage network, determining a memory capacity level for each of the logical storage units, determining a mapping in accordance with a mapping approach of at least some of the plurality of physical memory devices to achieve a corresponding memory capacity level, and when accessing encoded data slices associated with the logical storage unit by an accessing entity, communicating slice access messages with a dispersed storage unit associated with the logical storage unit. A dispersed storage managing unit and dispersed storage network are also disclosed.

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. Based on a detected storage error, the computing device is configured to determine availability status of encoded data slices (EDSs) within a set of EDSs. When at least a threshold number of EDSs are available, the computing device is configured to initiate a rebuilding function to abate the detected storage error. When less than the threshold number of EDSs are available, the computing device is configured to initiate a slice repair function to at least one storage unit (SU) to abate the detected storage error.

Abstract: A dispersed storage network (DSN) includes multiple storage units. A processing unit included in the DSN detects a failing storage unit, and issues an error indicator to a recovery unit. The error indicator indicates the failing storage unit. To verify that the storage unit is failing, the recovery unit issues a test request to the failing storage unit. The recovery unit determines to implement a corrective action for recovery units that are determined to be actually failing, and facilitates implementing the corrective action.

Abstract: A method for dispersed storage network (DSN) begins by detecting a memory error associated with a memory device of a storage unit. The method continues by identifying an error descriptor code based on the detected memory error. The method continues by determining whether to perform an intermediate action based on the error descriptor code. The method continues, when not performing the intermediate action, by issuing memory status information to the DSTN managing unit. The method continues, when performing the intermediate action, by performing the intermediate action to produce an action result. The method continues by determining whether the memory device is to remain in service based on one or more of the action result and the error descriptor code and, when the memory device is not to remain in service, issuing further status information to the DSTN managing unit to indicate the failed status indicator.