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.

Abstract: A method includes utilizing, by a first computing device, a first writing pattern to write a set of encoded data slices to a sharing group of sites. The first writing pattern includes writing a write threshold number of encoded data slices to storage units of a first site and writing a remaining number of encoded data slices to another storage unit(s) in another site(s). The method further includes sending, by storage units of the first site, encoded data slices of up to the write threshold number to other storage units in accordance with an inter-site storage unit relationship. The method further includes, when indicating in the inter-site storage unit relationship, sending, by storage unit(s) of the other site(s), encoded data slices of the remaining number of encoded data slices to other storage units in accordance with the inter-site storage unit relationship.