Abstract: A method with a computer generating a first set of access requests regarding a first set of encoded data slices and storage units of a dispersed storage network. A first data segment is encoded into the first set of encoded data slices. The method continues with the computer generating a second set of access requests regarding a second set of encoded data slices and the storage units. A second data segment is encoded into the second set of encoded data slices. The method continues with the computer grouping the first set of access requests and the second set of access requests to produce a set of combined requests. The method continues with the computer sending the set of combined requests to the storage units.

Abstract: A method with a computer generating a first set of access requests regarding a first set of encoded data slices and storage units of a dispersed storage network. A first data segment is encoded into the first set of encoded data slices. The method continues with the computer generating a second set of access requests regarding a second set of encoded data slices and the storage units. A second data segment is encoded into the second set of encoded data slices. The method continues with the computer grouping the first set of access requests and the second set of access requests to produce a set of combined requests. The method continues with the computer sending the set of combined requests to the storage units.

Abstract: An integrated client computer for accessing a dispersed data storage network is disclosed. A client program operating on the client computer accepts commands from a user and in response, issues network messages to a plurality of slice servers implementing a dispersed data storage network. Data slices can be read, written or modified using the disclosed integrated client computer.

Abstract: A method begins by a processing module receiving a data storage request, wherein the data storage request includes data and a data identifier (ID). The method continues with the processing module dispersed storage error encoding the data to produce a set of encoded data slices and determining a data dispersed storage network (DSN) address. The method continues with the processing module sending the set of encoded data slices to a DSN memory for storage at the data DSN address and updating a directory file with path information corresponding to the data ID and the data DSN address to produce an updated directory file. The method continues with the processing module dispersed storage error encoding the updated directory file to produce a set of encoded updated directory slices and sending the set of encoded updated directory slices to the DSN memory for storage at a directory DSN address.

Abstract: A data object interface to a dispersed data storage network is disclosed. The disclosed interface accepts read and write commands from a client computer and generates network commands that are forwarded to slice servers that form the storage component of the dispersed data storage network. The slice servers then fulfill the read and write commands.

Abstract: A computer a network interface and a central processing unit. The network interface communicates with a network. The central processing unit (CPU) is operable to receive a networked file system access request packet and to identify a root directory based on the networked file system access request packet. The CPU then identifies a file directory based on the root directory and the networked file system access request packet. The CPU then identifies file object metadata based on the file directory and identifies a set of slice servers based on the file object metadata and the networked file system access request packet. The CPU then issues, via the network interface, a set of commands to a set of slice servers regarding the networked file system access request packet.

Abstract: A computer a network interface and a central processing unit. The network interface communicates with a network. The central processing unit (CPU) is operable to receive a networked file system access request packet and to identify a root directory based on the networked file system access request packet. The CPU then identifies a file directory based on the root directory and the networked file system access request packet. The CPU then identifies file object metadata based on the file directory and identifies a set of slice servers based on the file object metadata and the networked file system access request packet. The CPU then issues, via the network interface, a set of commands to a set of slice servers regarding the networked file system access request packet.

Abstract: A data object interface to a dispersed data storage network is disclosed. The disclosed interface accepts read and write commands from a client computer and generates network commands that are forwarded to slice servers that form the storage component of the dispersed data storage network. The slice servers then fulfill the read and write commands.

Abstract: A data object interface to a dispersed data storage network is disclosed. The disclosed interface accepts read and write commands from a client computer and generates network commands that are forwarded to slice servers that form the storage component of the dispersed data storage network. The slice servers then fulfill the read and write commands.

Abstract: A distributed storage network receives a data object and determines a size of the data object. The network then determines whether the data object should be segmented into fixed size segments or variable sizes segments based upon some variable-length algorithm. If the fixed approach is selected, the data object is segmented into two or more fixed size segments with attached header information and the information is further processed using error coding dispersal storage functions within the network. If the variable approach is selected, the data object is segmented into two or more variable-sized segments with attached header information and the information is further processed using error coding dispersal storage functions within the network. Both the variable and fixed approaches enable storage of error-correctable data slices in a distributed storage manner.

Abstract: A file system interface to a dispersed data storage network is disclosed. The disclosed interface accepts read and write commands from a file system resident on a user's computer and generates network commands that are forwarded to slice servers that form the storage component of the dispersed data storage network. The slice servers then fulfill the read and write commands.

Abstract: A slicer server includes a network port, memory, and a central processing module. The central processing unit functions to obtain, via the network port, an information record regarding a virtual dispersed data storage container. The central processing unit further functions to determine whether its list of virtual dispersed data storage containers includes the virtual dispersed data storage container. The central processing unit further functions to, when the list does not include the virtual dispersed data storage container, update the list to include the virtual dispersed data storage container and allocate a portion of the memory to the virtual dispersed data storage container.

Abstract: A centralized depository for storing information regarding a collection of servers and other hardware used to implement a plurality of virtual dispersed data storage containers is disclosed. The centralized depository describes each virtual dispersed data storage container as well as the hardware used to provide the plurality of virtual dispersed data storage containers. Computers operating on or seeking to access specific virtual dispersed data storage containers can obtain the information required for access from the centralized depository.

Abstract: A file system interface to a dispersed data storage network is disclosed. The disclosed interface accepts read and write commands from a file system resident on a user's computer and generates network commands that are forwarded to slice servers that form the storage component of the dispersed data storage network. The slice servers then fulfill the read and write commands.