A method for execution in a storage network, the method begins by determining a user device group content preference, wherein the user group content includes target content for a user device group and the determining includes predicting future target content for the user group. The method continues by selecting a plurality of network edge units for staging encoded data slices, identifying target content for partial download to the plurality of network edge units and dispersed error encoding the target content to generate a set of encoded data slices. The method then continues by identifying encoded data slices from the set of encoded data slices corresponding to the target content for partial download and determining a partial downloading schedule for sending the encoded data slices for partial download to each network edge unit of the plurality of network edge units. The method continues by facilitating partial downloading of the target content by sending the encoded data slices for partial download to each network edge unit of the plurality of network edge units.

A first node group including at least three nodes is predefined in a distributed storage system. Each node of the first node group is configured to send data blocks stored in storage devices managed by the node to other nodes belonging to the first node group. A first node is configured to receive data blocks from two or more other nodes in the first node group. The first node is configured to create a redundant code using a combination of data blocks received from the two or more other nodes and store the created redundant code to a storage device different from storage devices holding the data blocks used to create the redundant code. Combinations of data blocks used to create at least two redundant codes in redundant codes created by the first node are different in combination of logical addresses of constituent data blocks.

A storage unit includes an interface configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed storage network (DSN), a memory that stores operational instructions, and processing circuitry. The storage unit receives a set of read slice requests for a set of encoded data slices (EDSs) associated with a data object stored within a first set of storage units, where the storage the first set of storage units includes the storage unit. When at least a read threshold number of EDSs and fewer than all of the set of EDSs can be successfully retrieved from the first set of storage units, the storage unit identifies at least one EDS associated with a data object that is stored in a second set of storage units, obtains the at least one EDS and stores the at least one EDS in the storage unit.

A method includes identifying an independent data object of a plurality of independent data objects for retrieval from dispersed storage network (DSN) memory. The method further includes determining a mapping of the plurality of independent data objects into a data matrix, wherein the mapping is in accordance with the dispersed storage error encoding function. The method further includes identifying, based on the mapping, an encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices corresponding to the independent data object. The method further includes sending a retrieval request to a storage unit of the DSN memory regarding the encoded data slice. When the encoded data slice is received, the method further includes decoding the encoding data slice in accordance with the dispersed storage error encoding function and the mapping to reproduce the independent data object.

A method for execution by a distributed storage network begins by receiving a request to transfer a copy of a set of encoded data slices from at least some associated virtual storage vaults to a destination virtual storage vault and continues by determining whether the destination storage unit supports a source virtual storage vault of the at least some source virtual storage vaults. When the destination storage unit supports the source virtual storage vault the method continues by determining a sub-set of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices for transfer and finally, by facilitating sending the sub-set of encoded data slices to the destination storage unit.

A plurality of computing devices are communicatively coupled to each other via a network, and each of the plurality of computing devices is operably coupled to one or more of a plurality of storage devices. A plurality of failure resilient stripes is distributed across the plurality of storage devices such that each of the plurality of failure resilient stripes spans a plurality of the storage devices. A graphics processing unit is operable to access data files from the failure resilient stripes, while bypassing a kernel page cache. Furthermore, these data files may be accessed in parallel by the graphics processing unit.

A plurality of computing devices are communicatively coupled to each other via a network, and each of the plurality of computing devices is operably coupled to one or more of a plurality of storage devices. A plurality of failure resilient address spaces are distributed across the plurality of storage devices such that each of the plurality of failure resilient address spaces spans a plurality of the storage devices. The plurality of computing devices maintains metadata that maps each failure resilient address space to one of the plurality of computing devices. The metadata is grouped into buckets. Each bucket is stored in the backend of a computing device. Data may be migrated from an external file system to the plurality of storage devices using inode stubs to represent directories and files of the external file system. As the contents of the external file system are copied, the inode stubs are replaced with real inodes.

A method begins by a load balancing module of a distributed storage network (DSN) determining availability of a plurality of DSN processing units of a set of DSN processing units based on availability information associated with the plurality of DSN processing units and in response to determined availability, selecting a DSN processing unit form the set to process a data access request. The method continues with the load balancing module receiving an indication that the DSN processing unit is no longer available from the DSN processing unit while the DSN processing unit continues to process previously pending data access requests. The method continues with the load balancing module cancelling selection of the DSN processing unit to process the data access request; and receiving a second indication from the DSN processing unit indication that the DSN processing unit is available.

A method for execution by a dispersed storage and task (DST) client module includes issuing a read threshold number of read slice requests are issued to storage units of the set of storage units. One or more encoded slices of a selected read threshold number of encoded slices are received. When a next encoded data slice of a decode threshold number of encoded data slices is received within a response timeframe, outputting of the next encoded data slice is initiated. When the next encoded data slice is not received within the response timeframe, receiving of another decode threshold number of encoded slices of the set of encoded slices is facilitated. The other decode threshold number of encoded slices are decoded to produce recovered encoded data slices, where the recovered encoded data slices includes at least a recovered next encoded data. Outputting of the recovered next encoded data slice is initiated.

A method includes determining an encoded data slice of a first subset of encoded data slices associated with a set of encoded data slices requires rebuilding, where the first subset of encoded data slices is stored in a set of storage units and includes at least a decode threshold number of encoded data slices. The method further includes identifying a second encoded data slice of a second subset of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices, where the second subset of encoded data slices is not currently stored in the set of storage units. The method further includes generating the second encoded data slice from the first subset of encoded data slices and sending the second encoded data slice to the set of storage units, where when stored, the second encoded data slice no longer included in the second subset of encoded data slices.