Handling failing memory devices in a dispersed storage network

A processing system of a dispersed storage and task (DST) execution unit comprises:

• at least one processor;
• a memory that stores operational instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor cause the processing system to:
• identify a failing memory device based on memory device diagnostic data;
• designate memory of a replacement memory device to store encoded slices stored in the failing memory device, in response to initiating a cloning duration time period;
• receive a write request via a network at a receiving time during the cloning duration time period that includes a new encoded slice, wherein the new encoded slice is assigned to a temporary memory device based on an identifier of the new encoded slice;
• store the new encoded slice in the temporary memory device;
• and
• transfer the new encoded slice from the temporary memory device to the replacement memory device in response to an elapsing of the cloning duration time period.

A computer readable storage medium comprises:

• at least one memory section that stores operational instructions that, when executed by a processing system of a dispersed storage network (DSN) that includes a processor and a memory, causes the processing system to:
• identify a failing memory device based on memory device diagnostic data;
• designate memory of a replacement memory device to store encoded slices stored in the failing memory device in response to initiating a cloning duration time period;
• receive a write request via a network at a receiving time during the cloning duration time period that includes a new encoded slice, wherein the new encoded slice is assigned to a temporary memory device based on an identifier of the new encoded slice;
• store the new encoded slice in the temporary memory device;
• and
• transfer the new encoded slice from the temporary memory device to the replacement memory device in response to an elapsing of the cloning duration time period.