Abstract: A method begins by a processing module of a storage network analyzing storage network memory for a level of usability and based on the analyzing, selecting alternative memory available for receipt of encoded data slices stored in current memory, where a data object is segmented into a plurality of data segments and a data segment of the plurality of data segments is dispersed error encoded in accordance with dispersed error encoding parameters to produce a set of encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module determining whether to move encoded data slices from current memory to alternative memory and based on a determination to move slices, allocating alternative memory. Finally, the processing module moves at least some encoded data slices from a current memory to alternate memory and updates a memory assignment mechanism for the at least some encoded data slices.

Abstract: A processing system of a storage network operates by: sending, to at least one storage unit of the storage network, at least one read request corresponding to at least a read threshold number of a set of encoded data slices to be retrieved, wherein the set of encoded data slices correspond to a data segment, wherein the data segment is coded in accordance with dispersed error coding parameters that include a write threshold number and the read threshold number, wherein the write threshold number is a number of encoded data slices in the set of encoded data slices and wherein the read threshold number is a number of the set of slices that is required to decode the data segment; receiving, via the at least one processing circuit and from the at least one storage unit, a first subset of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices, wherein the first subset of encoded data slices is missing at least one missing encoded data slice that was not received from the at least one storage unit in response to the

Abstract: A distributed storage integrity system in a dispersed storage network includes a scanning agent and a control unit. The scanning agent identifies an encoded data slice that requires rebuilding, wherein the encoded data slice is one of a plurality of encoded data slices generated from a data segment using an error encoding dispersal function. The control unit retrieves at least a number T of encoded data slices needed to reconstruct the data segment based on the error encoding dispersal function. The control unit is operable to reconstruct the data segment from at least the number T of the encoded data slices and generate a rebuilt encoded data slice from the reconstructed data segment. The scanning agent is located in a storage unit and the control unit is located in the storage unit or in a storage integrity processing unit, a dispersed storage processing unit or a dispersed storage managing unit.

Abstract: A storage network operates by: storing at least one data object in the storage network as encoded data slices that are dispersed error encoded, the encoded data slices including locally decodable code segments; detecting at least one storage error associated with storage of at least one of the encoded data slices in the storage network; and recovering and at least one of the encoded data slices utilizing the locally decodable code segments.

Abstract: A method for execution by a storage unit in a dispersed storage network (DSN) includes selecting a storage zone of a memory device of the storage unit based on zone allocation parameters, and designating the selected storage zone as open for writes. A data slice is received via a network for storage. The data slice is written sequentially at a memory location of the one of storage zone based on determining that the storage zone is designated as open for writes. A pointer corresponding to the data slice that indicates the storage zone and the memory location is generated. A read request is received via the network from a requesting entity that indicates the data slice. The data slice is retrieved from the memory device based on the pointer, and is transmitted to the requesting entity.

Abstract: A method includes dispersed storage error encoding a data object to produce a set of encoded data slices. The method further includes obtaining routing path performance information for a plurality of routing paths from the computing device to a set of storage units. The method further includes selecting a first routing path for sending a first subset of the set of encoded data slices, where the first routing path has a performance level greater than a first performance threshold. The method further includes selecting a second routing path for sending a second subset of the set of encoded data slices, where the second routing path has a performance level less than or equal to the first performance threshold. The method further includes sending the first and second subsets of encoded data slices to the set of storage units via the first and second routing paths for storage therein.

Abstract: A method for execution by a computing device of a storage network includes obtaining storage performance information for a set of storage units of the storage network, where data segments are dispersed storage error encoded into pluralities of sets of encoded data slices in accordance with error encoding parameters that include a pillar width number and a decode threshold number, which is a number of encoded data slices the set of encode data slices is required to reconstruct a data segment of data segments. The method further includes determining, based on the storage performance information and the error encoding parameters, a performance threshold number for a write request to store a set of encoded data slices of the pluralities of sets of encoded data slices in the set of storage units, where the performance threshold number is greater than the decode threshold number and less than the pillar width number.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving, by a computing device, data for storage in a dispersed storage network; writing, by the computing device, the data to a first location; generating, by the computing device, a first pointer to the first location; receiving, by the computing device, updated data that is an updated version of the data; writing, by the computing device, the updated data to a second location; generating, by the computing device, a second pointer to the second location; and deleting, by the computing device, the first pointer at a time after writing the updated data and generating the second pointer.

Abstract: A method for execution by a storage network includes receiving a request pertaining to a data object. Metadata associated with the data object is determined and used to identify data segments associated with the data object and a set of storage units associated with the data segments. Based on a set of query requests, a response is received from a storage unit from the set of storage units. When the response indicates a storage environment that is unfavorable as compared to predetermined performance metrics, the storage network facilitates migration of encoded data slices associated with the storage unit to another storage unit.

Abstract: A method for execution by a computing device to adjust data storage efficiency of data in a storage network includes determining an estimated overwrite frequency for a data segment for storage in memory of the storage network. The method continues by determining a storage approach for the data segment based on the estimated overwrite frequency. The method continues by processing the data segment based on the storage approach to produce a processed data segment. The method continues by error encoding the processed data segment to produce a set of encoded data slices, where a decode threshold number of encoded data slices is needed to recover the processed data segment. The method continues by storing the set of encoded data slices in the memory of the storage network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for redirecting data access requests in a storage network are disclosed. In an embodiment, a computing device associated with the storage network performs a method that includes identifying a (second) storage pool of the storage network to replace a first storage pool of the storage network. The method includes issuing a migration message to at least one of the first storage pool or the second storage pool. The migration message initiates a replication of data from the first storage pool to the second storage pool. The method further includes receiving a write data request for the first storage pool prior to completion of the replication of the data, and forwarding the write data request to the second storage pool for further processing.

Abstract: A processing system of a storage network operates by: sending, to at least one storage unit of the storage network, at least one read request corresponding to at least a read threshold number of a set of encoded data slices to be retrieved, wherein the set of encoded data slices correspond to a data segment, wherein the data segment is coded in accordance with dispersed error coding parameters that include a write threshold number and the read threshold number, wherein the write threshold number is a number of encoded data slices in the set of encoded data slices and wherein the read threshold number is a number of the set of slices that is required to decode the data segment; receiving, via the at least one processing circuit and from the at least one storage unit, a first subset of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices, wherein the first subset of encoded data slices is missing at least one missing encoded data slice that was not received from the at least one storage unit in response to the

Abstract: A method for execution by a storage unit in a dispersed storage network (DSN) includes selecting a storage zone of a memory device of the storage unit based on zone allocation parameters, and designating the selected storage zone as open for writes. A data slice is received via a network for storage. The data slice is written sequentially at a memory location of the one of storage zone based on determining that the storage zone is designated as open for writes. A pointer corresponding to the data slice that indicates the storage zone and the memory location is generated. A read request is received via the network from a requesting entity that indicates the data slice. The data slice is retrieved from the memory device based on the pointer, and is transmitted to the requesting entity.

Abstract: A method includes determining, by a computing device of a storage network, a pillar width to decode threshold ratio of a dispersed storage error encoding function based on routing path performance information of a set of routing paths with respect to a set of storage units of the storage network. The method further includes dispersed storage error encoding a data object in accordance with the pillar width to decode threshold ratio to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices. The method further includes sending the plurality of sets of encoded data slices to the set of storage units via the set of routing paths for storage therein.

Abstract: A method for execution in a storage network begins by generating a set of query requests for each data segment of a plurality of data segments that includes a corresponding set of slice identifiers of a plurality of sets of slice identifiers, where each slice identifier of the corresponding set of slice identifiers includes a pillar index based on a vault affiliated with the plurality of data segments. The method continues by transmitting the set of query requests to a set of storage units affiliated with the storage network, receiving a plurality of sets of query responses from the storage units, obtaining a data identifier for slice location identification and generating a storage record that includes the data identifier and an identity of the set of storage units. The method then continues by facilitating migration of at least some encoded data slices associated with the plurality of sets of slice identifiers when the storage record compares unfavorably to a storage record requirement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for proxying data access requests in a storage network are disclosed. In various embodiments, a computing device associated with a first storage location of the storage network performs a method that includes receiving a portion of data that is in the process of being replicated from a second storage location of the storage network. The computing device facilitates storage of the portion of data in the first storage location of the storage network. In response to receiving a read request for the portion of data during the data replication process, the computing device determines whether the portion of data is available from memory of the first storage location. In response to determining that the portion of data is available from memory of the first storage location, the computing device issues a read response that includes the portion of data.

Abstract: A network storage system operates by: sending, to at least one storage unit of a storage network, at least one read request corresponding to at least a read threshold number of a set of encoded data slices to be retrieved, wherein the set of encoded data slices correspond to a data segment, wherein the data segment is codable in accordance with dispersed error coding parameters that include a write threshold number and the read threshold number, wherein the write threshold number is a number of encoded data slices in the set of encoded data slices and wherein the read threshold number is a number of the set of slices that is required to decode the data segment; receiving from the at least one storage unit, a first subset of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices, wherein the first subset of encoded data slices is missing at least one missing encoded data slice from the number of the set of slices that is required to decode the data segment and that was not received from the at least one storage

Abstract: A storage network operates by storing at least one data object in the SN as encoded data slices that are dispersed error encoded; detecting at least one storage error associated with storage of at least one of the encoded data slices in the storage network; and rebuilding the at least one of the encoded data slices associated with the storage error utilizing locally decodable code segments.

Abstract: A method for updating software of storage units of a set of storage units in a storage network. In an embodiment, each storage unit of the set of storage units determines a data slice storage status for data slices stored in the storage unit (e.g., by monitoring rebuilding messages relating to the data slices). A processing module of the storage network obtains the data slice storage status of the storage units of the set of storage units and determines whether to perform a software update to software of the storage units of the set of storage units. Determining whether to perform the software update includes determining, based on the data slice storage status of the storage units, whether a threshold number of storage units are associated with a favorable data slice storage status. In response to determining that a threshold number of storage units are associated with a favorable data slice storage status, the processing module indicates to perform the software update.

Abstract: A method begins with a processing module of a distributed storage network (DSN), receiving a request to access a data object stored in the DSN and identifying a first data descriptor associated with the data object, identifying a second data descriptor associated with the data object, identifying a first data index key and a first index structure for the first data descriptor and identifying a second data index key and a second index structure for the second data descriptor. The method continues with the processing module accessing the first index structure for the first data descriptor , based on the first and second data index keys, to retrieve a first and second set of data identifiers, respectively and based on one or more data identifiers being common to the first set of data identifiers and the second set of data identifiers, creating a superset of data identifiers.