A computing device 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 computing device based on the operational instructions, is configured to perform various operations. A computing device receives a data access request for an encoded data slice (EDS) associated with a data object. The computing device compares a slice name of the data access request with slice names stored within RAM. When the data access request slice name compares unfavorably with those stored slice names, the computing device transmits an empty data access response that includes no EDS to the other computing device without needing to access a hard disk drive (HDD) that stores EDSs. Alternatively, the computing device transmits a data access response that includes the EDS.

A computing device includes an interface configured to interface and communicate with a storage network, 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 computing device based on the operational instructions, is configured to perform various operations. A computing device receives a data access request for an encoded data slice associated with a data object, determines whether the encoded data slice is stored in the first memory and in response to a determination that the encoded data slice is not stored in the first memory, issues another data access request for the encoded data slice to a second memory, where the first memory includes access characteristics that are faster than the second memory. When a data access response including the encoded data slice is received from the second memory, a response including the encoded data slice is transmitted.

A computing device 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 computing device based on the operational instructions, is configured to perform various operations. A computing device receives a data access request for an encoded data slice (EDS) associated with a data object. The computing device compares a slice name of the data access request with slice names stored within RAM. When the data access request slice name compares unfavorably with those stored slice names, the computing device transmits an empty data access response that includes no EDS to the other computing device without needing to access a hard disk drive (HDD) that stores EDSs. Alternatively, the computing device transmits a data access response that includes the EDS.

A method begins by a computing device of a dispersed storage network (DSN) maintaining a queue of pending requests to access the DSN while new requests are added to the queue and executed requests are deleted from the queue. The method continues by the computing device determining, for each pending request in the queue, a prioritization score to produce a plurality of prioritization scores. The prioritization score is determined by determining an identity of a requestor associated with a pending request, obtaining a trust score based on the requestor's identity, and obtaining a compliance score based on the requestor's identity. The trust score indicates the requestor's level of legitimate use of the DSN and the compliance score indicates the requestor's level of compliance with DSN system requests. The method continues by the computing device executing pending requests of the queue in accordance with the plurality of prioritization scores.

A method begins with receiving an encoded data slice that has associated therewith a slice name that is representative of a dispersed storage network (DSN) logical address. The method continues with accessing a DSN address to memory device mapping based on the DSN logical address to identify a memory device of the storage unit. The method continues with retrieving a logical zone to physical address space mapping of the identified memory device. The method continues with determining information regarding the encoded data slice and a logical zone of the memory device from the logical zone to physical address space mapping based on the encoded data slice information. The method continues with generating a physical address within the identified logical zone for storing the encoded data slice. The method continues with storing the encoded data slice within the identified memory device at the physical address.

A first dispersed storage and task (DST) processing unit operates to store data as one or more first sets of encoded data slices in a set of storage units utilizing a first information dispersal algorithm having a first decode threshold number and determine whether to store the data as one or more second sets of encoded data slices in the set of storage units utilizing a second IDA having a second decode threshold number. When determined to store the data as the one or more second sets of encoded data slices, the first DST processing unit further operates to encode the data utilizing the second IDA to produce the one or more second sets of encoded data slices, and facilitate storage of the one or more second sets of encoded data slices in at least a subset of the set of storage units.

A method for use in a dispersed storage network operates to select a recovery of selected ones of one or more first sets of encoded data slices in response to detecting a storage error associated with the selected ones of the one or more first sets of encoded data slices; issue requests for a second decode threshold number of encoded data slices of selected ones of one or more second sets of encoded data slices corresponding to the selected ones of the one or more first sets of encoded data slices; decode the second decode threshold number of encoded data slices to produce recovered data in response to receiving the second decode threshold number of encoded data slices; encode the recovered data utilizing first IDA parameters associated with the first IDA to produce one or more rebuilt encoded data slices corresponding to the selected ones of the one or more first sets of encoded data slices; and facilitate storage of the one or more rebuilt encoded data slices.

A method for use in a dispersed storage network operates to initiate retrieval of a decode threshold number of encoded data slices of each of one or more sets of encoded data slices in accordance with a first recovery approach. When a recovery time frame expires prior to receiving a second decode threshold number of encoded data slices of each of the one or more second sets of encoded data slices, the method proceeds to select a second data recovery approach that differs from the first recovery approach; recover a sufficient number of encoded data slices in accordance with the second data recovery approach; and dispersed storage error decode the sufficient number of encoded data slices to produce recovered data.

A method for use in a dispersed storage network operates to initiate retrieval of a decode threshold number of encoded data slices of each of one or more sets of encoded data slices in accordance with a first recovery approach. When a recovery time frame expires prior to receiving a second decode threshold number of encoded data slices of each of the one or more second sets of encoded data slices, the method proceeds to select a second data recovery approach that differs from the first recovery approach; recover a sufficient number of encoded data slices in accordance with the second data recovery approach; and dispersed storage error decode the sufficient number of encoded data slices to produce recovered data.

A computing device 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 computing device based on the operational instructions, is configured to perform various operations. A computing device receives a data access request for an encoded data slice (EDS) associated with a data object. The computing device compares a slice name of the data access request with slice names stored within RAM. When the data access request slice name compares unfavorably with those stored slice names, the computing device transmits an empty data access response that includes no EDS to the other computing device without needing to access a hard disk drive (HDD) that stores EDSs. Alternatively, the computing device transmits a data access response that includes the EDS.