Utilizing a hierarchical index 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 contention level data by evaluating an update contention level in response to determining to update an entry of a node of a dispersed hierarchical index;
• execute the update of the node when the contention level data indicates that the update contention level is favorable;
• and
• generate an index update request for transmission to an index update unit via a network when the contention level data indicates that the update contention level is unfavorable.

A non-transitory 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:
• generate contention level data by evaluating an update contention level in response to determining to update an entry of a node of a dispersed hierarchical index;
• execute the update of the node when the contention level data indicates that the update contention level is favorable;
• and
• generate an index update request for transmission to an index update unit via a network when the contention level data indicates that the update contention level is unfavorable.