US 10,241,694 B2 · Reducing data stored when using multiple information dispersal algorithms

Abstract

Systems and methods for storing data in a dispersed storage network using at least two information dispersal algorithms (IDA' s) having different widths and thresholds are disclosed. In multiple IDA configurations, at least two IDA's with different widths and thresholds are paired and used to store the data multiple times, where some IDA's provide “wider” IDA configurations that are more reliable and other IDA's provide “narrower” configurations with a lower threshold and lower reliability. Data can be written in the less reliable IDA configurations as a performance optimization to reduce the input/output operations necessary for reading the data. As a further optimization, the processing unit can determine to write only a subset of the IDA configurations. Similarly, dispersed storage units themselves, when reaching the capacity limits for their memory devices, can begin to delete slices they hold for some of the IDA configurations, to free up space.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of storing data in a dispersed storage network, the dispersed storage network including a first set of dispersed storage units and a second set of dispersed storage units, the method comprising:

encoding data utilizing first dispersal parameters to produce a first plurality of sets of encoded data slices;
facilitating storage of respective sets of encoded data slices of the first plurality of sets of encoded data slices in respective dispersed storage units of the first set of dispersed storage units;
encoding the data utilizing second dispersal parameters to produce a second plurality of sets of encoded data slices;
and
facilitating storage of respective sets of encoded data slices of the second plurality of sets of encoded data slices in respective dispersed storage units of the second set of dispersed storage units.

2 more elements

A dispersed storage processing unit for use in a dispersed storage network, the dispersed storage network including a first set of dispersed storage units and a second set of dispersed storage units, the dispersed storage processing unit comprising:

a communications interface;
a memory;
and
a computer processor;
where the memory includes instructions for causing the computer processor to:
encode data utilizing first dispersal parameters to produce a first plurality of sets of encoded data slices;
facilitate storage of respective sets of encoded data slices of the first plurality of sets of encoded data slices in respective dispersed storage units of the first set of dispersed storage units;
encode the data utilizing second dispersal parameters to produce a second plurality of sets of encoded data slices;
and
facilitate storage of respective sets of encoded data slices of the second plurality of sets of encoded data slices in respective dispersed storage units of the second set of dispersed storage units.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Reducing data stored when using multiple information dispersal algorithms

Life of this patent

Reducing data stored when using multiple information dispersal algorithms

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20