Utilizing storage unit latency data in a dispersed storage network

A processing system of a dispersed storage and task (DST) processing 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:
• generate a first access request for transmission via a network to a first one of a plurality of storage units in a dispersed storage network (DSN);
• receive a first access response via the network from the first one of the plurality of storage units that includes a first access time duration;
• update access duration data to include the first access time duration received from the first one of the plurality of storage units;
• generate latency data that includes a network latency significance score by comparing a network latency to at least one of a plurality of access time durations included in the access duration data and corresponding to the plurality of storage units;
• select a subset of storage units from the plurality of storage units based on comparing the plurality of access time durations to perform a second data access when the network latency significance score indicates the network latency is less significant than the at least one of the plurality of access time durations;
• select the subset of storage units independently of the plurality of access time durations when the network latency significance score indicates the network latency is more significant than the at least one of the plurality of access time durations;
• and
• generate at least one second access request for transmission via the network to the subset of storage units.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprises:

• at least one memory section that includes hardware 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:
• generate a first access request for transmission via a network to a first one of a plurality of storage units in the DSN;
• receive a first access response via the network from the first one of the plurality of storage units that includes a first access time duration;
• update access duration data to include the first access time duration received from the first one of the plurality of storage units;
• generate latency data that includes a network latency significance score by comparing a network latency to at least one of a plurality of access time durations included in the access duration data and corresponding to the plurality of storage units;
• select a subset of storage units from the plurality of storage units based on comparing the plurality of access time durations to perform a second data access when the network latency significance score indicates the network latency is less significant than the at least one of the plurality of access time durations;
• select the subset of storage units independently of the plurality of access time durations when the network latency significance score indicates the network latency is more significant than the at least one of the plurality of access time durations;
• and generate at least one second access request for transmission via the network to the subset of storage units.