Patents by Inventor Zachary J. Mark

Zachary J. Mark has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8681790
    Abstract: A method begins by a processing module generating a payload section of a dispersed storage network (DSN) frame regarding a list digest request operation by generating a start slice name field of the payload section to include a start slice name of a slice name range, generating an end slice name field of the payload section to include an end slice name of the slice name range, and generating a maximum response count field of the payload section to include a maximum slice name response count. The method continues with the processing module generating a protocol header of the DSN frame by generating a payload length field of the protocol header to include a payload length that represents a length of the payload section, generating an operation code field to indicate the list digest request operation, and generating remaining fields of the protocol header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary J. Mark, Ilya Volvovski
  • Patent number: 8649399
    Abstract: A method begins by a processing module generating a payload section of a dispersed storage network (DSN) frame regarding a check request operation by generating one or more slice name fields of the payload section to include one or more slice names corresponding to one or more encoded data slices and generating a transaction number field of the payload section to include a transaction number corresponding to the check request operation. The method continues with the processing module generating a protocol header of the DSN frame by generating a payload length field of the protocol header to include a payload length that represents a length of the payload section and generating remaining fields of the protocol header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Baptist, Wesley Leggette, Jason K. Resch, Zachary J. Mark, Ilya Volvovski, Greg Dhuse
  • Publication number: 20140040662
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: CLEVERSAFE, INC.
    Inventors: Greg Dhuse, Andrew Baptist, Zachary J. Mark, Jason K. Resch, Ilya Volvovski
  • Publication number: 20140012899
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: CLEVERSAFE, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Baptist, Srinivas Palthepu, S. Christopher Gladwin, Greg Dhuse, Zachary J. Mark, Vance T. Thornton, John Quigley
  • Patent number: 8627177
    Abstract: A method begins with a processing module determining a retrieval threshold for retrieving a set of encoded data slices from a dispersed storage network (DSN). The set of encoded data slices represents data encoded using a dispersed storage error encoding function having a number of encoded data slices in the set of encoded data slices equal to or greater than a decode threshold and the retrieval threshold is equal to or greater than the decode threshold. The method continues with the processing module issuing data retrieval requests to the DSN for the set of encoded data slices and receiving encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices to produce received encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module decoding the received encoded data slices to recapture the data when a number of received encoded data slices compares favorably to the retrieval threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Dhuse, Ilya Volvovski, Andrew Baptist, Sebastien Vas, Zachary J. Mark
  • Patent number: 8625637
    Abstract: A method begins by a processing module generating a payload of a dispersed storage network frame regarding a conclusive write request operation by generating one or more slice name fields of a payload to include one or more slice names corresponding to one or more write commit responses of a write request operation, wherein the conclusive write request operation is a conclusive phase of the write request operation. The method continues with the processing module generating one or more slice revision numbering fields of the payload, wherein each slice revision numbering field includes a slice revision number corresponding to an associated slice name of the one or more slice names. The method continues with the processing module generating a protocol header of the DSN frame by generating a payload length field of the protocol header to include a payload length and generating remaining fields of the protocol header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Baptist, Wesley Leggette, Jason K. Resch, Zachary J. Mark, Ilya Volvovski
  • Patent number: 8621269
    Abstract: A method begins by a processing module sending list digest requests to a set of dispersed storage (DS) units. The method continues with the processing module receiving list digest responses from at least some of the set of DS units and determining whether an inconsistency exists between first and second list digest responses of the list digest responses. The method continues with the processing module requesting at least a portion of each of the slice name information lists from first and second DS units of the set of DS units and identifying a slice name information error associated with the inconsistency based on the at least a portion of each of the slices name information lists of the first and second DS units when the inconsistency exists between first and second list digest responses of the list digest responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastien Vas, Zachary J. Mark
  • Publication number: 20130283095
    Abstract: A method begins by a processing module identifying a set of encoded data slices that have been created in accordance with a dispersed storage error encoding function having a decode threshold equal to or less than half of a number encoded data slices in the set of encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module identifying a first sub-set of encoded data slices having a non-current revision level and identifying a second sub-set of encoded data slices having a more-current revision level. When a number of encoded data slices of the second sub-set of encoded data slices is greater than or equal to the decode threshold and when a number of encoded data slices of the first sub-set of encoded data slices is less than the decode threshold, the method continues with the processing module facilitating rebuilding of the first sub-set of encoded data slices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Greg Dhuse, Ilya Volvovski, Zachary J. Mark, Sebastien Vas
  • Publication number: 20130275844
    Abstract: A method begins by determining that a disk drive of a slice server has been replaced with a new disk drive. The method continues by identifying a data slice that was stored on the disk drive and identifying a data segment based on the identified data slice. The method continues by identifying other slice servers that are storing other data slices of the encoded data segment. The method continues by retrieving, from the other slice servers, a sufficient number of the other data slices to reconstruct the data segment and decoding the sufficient number of the other data slices to reconstruct the data segment. The method continues by encoding the reconstructed data segment in accordance with the information dispersal algorithm to produce a new set of data slices. The method continues by selecting a data slice of the new set of data slices as a rebuilt data slice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Vance T. Thornton, Jamie Bellanca, Dustin M. Hendrickson, Zachary J. Mark, Ilya Volvovski
  • Publication number: 20130275834
    Abstract: A storage integrity system in a dispersed storage network scans an address range of data slices to identify errors in one of a plurality of encoded data slices, wherein the plurality of encoded data slices are generated from a data segment using an error encoding dispersal function. When the storage integrity system detects an error, it identifies one of the encoded data slices for rebuilding. The identified data slice is rebuilt in response to the type of error. For example, when the type of the error includes a temporary error, the storage integrity system waits a predetermined time period to determine whether the error still exists prior to rebuilding the identified data slice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Greg Dhuse, Andrew Baptist, Zachary J. Mark, Jason K. Resch, Ilya Volvovski
  • Publication number: 20130275833
    Abstract: A method begins a first rebuilder application identifying a data slice having a storage error. The method continues with the first rebuilder application or a second rebuilder application identifying a data segment based on the identified data slice. The method continues with the second rebuilder application identifying one or more other slice servers that are storing other data slices of the encoded data segment. The method continues with the second rebuilder application receiving a sufficient number of the other data slices to reconstruct the data segment and decoding them to reconstruct the data segment. The method continues with the second rebuilder application encoding the reconstructed data segment in accordance with the information dispersal algorithm to produce a new set of data slices and selecting one of them as the rebuild data slice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Vance T. Thornton, Jamie Bellanca, Dustin M. Hendrickson, Zachary J. Mark, Ilya Volvovski
  • Patent number: 8560882
    Abstract: A method begins by identifying a data slice requiring rebuilding to produce an identified data slice, wherein the identified data slice is one of a plurality of data slices that constitute a data segment and wherein each of the plurality of data slices is assigned for storage by a corresponding one of a plurality of data slice servers. The method continues by retrieving at least m number of data slices from at least m number of the plurality of data slice servers, wherein m data slices of the plurality of data slices enable reconstruction of the data segment, and wherein the at least m number of data slices does not include the identified data slice. The method continues by reconstructing the identified data slice from the at least m number of data slices to produce a rebuilt data slice. The method continues by writing the rebuilt data slice to the corresponding one of the plurality of data slice servers or to a new slice server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Vance T. Thornton, James Bellanca, Dustin M. Hendrickson, Zachary J. Mark, Ilya Volvovski
  • Patent number: 8555109
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Dhuse, Andrew Baptist, Zachary J. Mark, Jason K. Resch, Ilya Volvovski
  • Publication number: 20130254624
    Abstract: A method begins with a processing module determining a retrieval threshold for retrieving a set of encoded data slices from a dispersed storage network (DSN). The set of encoded data slices represents data encoded using a dispersed storage error encoding function having a number of encoded data slices in the set of encoded data slices equal to or greater than a decode threshold and the retrieval threshold is equal to or greater than the decode threshold. The method continues with the processing module issuing data retrieval requests to the DSN for the set of encoded data slices and receiving encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices to produce received encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module decoding the received encoded data slices to recapture the data when a number of received encoded data slices compares favorably to the retrieval threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: CLEVERSAFE, INC.
    Inventors: Greg Dhuse, Ilya Volvovski, Andrew Baptist, Sebastien Vas, Zachary J. Mark
  • Patent number: 8533256
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Baptist, Srinivas Palthepu, S. Christopher Gladwin, Greg Dhuse, Zachary J. Mark, Vance T. Thornton, John Quigley
  • Patent number: 8489915
    Abstract: A storage integrity system in a dispersed storage network scans an address range of data slices to identify errors in one of a plurality of encoded data slices, wherein the plurality of encoded data slices are generated from a data segment using an error encoding dispersal function. When the storage integrity system detects an error, it identifies one of the encoded data slices for rebuilding. The identified data slice is rebuilt in response to the type of error. For example, when the type of the error includes a temporary error, the storage integrity system waits a predetermined time period to determine whether the error still exists prior to rebuilding the identified data slice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Dhuse, Andrew Baptist, Zachary J. Mark, Jason K. Resch, Ilya Volvovski
  • Patent number: 8478865
    Abstract: A gateway module translates access requests from client computers into commands for a plurality of slice servers storing data for a dispersed data storage network. The gateway program maintains a plurality of gateway modules, each providing a different access protocol to the dispersed data storage network, and each also maintaining one or more virtual storage vaults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: John Quigley, S. Christopher Gladwin, Zachary J. Mark, Wesley Leggette, Manish Motwani
  • Patent number: 8464096
    Abstract: A method begins by identifying a data slice requiring rebuilding to produce an identified data slice, wherein the identified data slice is one of a plurality of data slices that constitute a data segment. The method continues by retrieving at least m number of data slices, wherein m data slices of the plurality of data slices enable reconstruction of the data segment, and wherein the at least m number of data slices does not include the identified data slice. The method continues by reconstructing the identified data slice from the at least m number of data slices to produce a rebuilt data slice. The method continues by writing the rebuilt data slice to one of a plurality of data slice servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Vance T. Thornton, Jamie Bellanca, Dustin M. Hendrickson, Zachary J. Mark, Ilya Volvovski
  • Patent number: 8448044
    Abstract: A method begins by a processing module determining a retrieval threshold for retrieving a set of encoded data slices from a dispersed storage network (DSN), wherein the set of encoded data slices represents data encoded using a dispersed storage error encoding function having a pillar width of “n”, a decode threshold of “k”, and an encoding ratio of n?k>k and wherein the retrieval threshold is in accordance with the encoding ratio. The method continues with the processing module issuing data retrieval requests to the DSN for the set of encoded data slices and receiving encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices to produce received encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module decoding the received encoded data slices to recapture the data when a number of received encoded data slices compares favorably to the retrieval threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Dhuse, Ilya Volvovski, Andrew Baptist, Sebastien Vas, Zachary J. Mark
  • Patent number: 8352782
    Abstract: A message is generated by a computer operating on a dispersed data storage network indicating the inaccessibility of a plurality of data slices. A rebuilder application operates on the dispersed data storage grid and rebuilds inaccessible data slices, including those identified by the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Cleversafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Vance T. Thornton, Jamie Bellanca, Dustin M. Hendrickson, Zachary J. Mark, Ilya Volvovski