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 write data object request and writing and committing the data object as a set of encoded data slices into DSN memory. The method continues by writing and committing an index consistency write-intent to DSN memory. The method continues by writing metadata of the data object to DSN memory. The method continues by write and committing an index entry to DSN memory. The method continues, during a finalization of the index consistency write-intent, by executing the index consistency write-intent to ensure consistency between the metadata of the data object and metadata located in the index entry.

Abstract: A storage unit (SU) 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 SU based on the operational instructions, is configured to perform various operations. The SU stores at least one encoded data slice (EDS) of first EDSs corresponding to a data object that are distributedly stored in first SUs and also an intent message that includes specifications for consistency between the data object and metadata of the data object. A second set of EDSs corresponding to the metadata are distributedly stored in second SUs. The SU services the intent message to determine consistency of the data object and the metadata based on the specifications and deletes the intent message when they are consistent.

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 write data object request and writing and committing the data object as a set of encoded data slices into DSN memory. The method continues by writing and committing an index consistency write-intent to DSN memory. The method continues by writing metadata of the data object to DSN memory. The method continues by write and committing an index entry to DSN memory. The method continues, during a finalization of the index consistency write-intent, by executing the index consistency write-intent to ensure consistency between the metadata of the data object and metadata located in the index entry.

Abstract: A storage unit (SU) 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 SU based on the operational instructions, is configured to perform various operations. The SU stores at least one encoded data slice (EDS) of first EDSs corresponding to a data object that are distributedly stored in first SUs and also an intent message that includes specifications for consistency between the data object and metadata of the data object. A second set of EDSs corresponding to the metadata are distributedly stored in second SUs. The SU services the intent message to determine consistency of the data object and the metadata based on the specifications and deletes the intent message when they are consistent.

Abstract: A method beings by a computing device receiving a write request for a data segment that has been encoded to produce a set of encoded data slices. The method continues with the write request being stored in memory and a write intent associated with the write request being created and stored as an object in memory. The computing device then determines whether metadata associated with the data segment can be updated, and when the metadata cannot be updated maintaining the write request in memory until a cleanup agent can execute the write intent and successfully update the metadata.