Verifying and migrating data slices in a storage network

A processing system of a storage network client module 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 perform operations including:
• receiving a request pertaining to a data object, wherein the data object is segmented into a plurality of data segments, wherein a data segment of the plurality of data segments is dispersed error encoded in accordance with dispersed error encoding parameters to produce a set of encoded data slices;
• determining metadata associated with the data object;
• based on the metadata, identifying one or more data segments associated with the data object;
• determining a set of storage units associated with each of the one or more data segments;
• sending a set of query requests to the set of storage units;
• receiving, based on the set of query requests, a response from a storage unit of the set of storage units;
• generating, based on the response, a storage record, wherein the storage record includes a data identifier associated with the data object and an identity of the set of storage units;
• determining whether the response indicates an unfavorable storage environment, wherein an unfavorable storage environment is a storage environment comprising a storage record that compares unfavorably to a desired storage record;
• and
• when an unfavorable storage environment is indicated, facilitating migration of one or more encoded data slices associated with the storage unit to another storage unit.

A computer readable storage medium comprises:

• at least one memory section that stores operational instructions that, when executed by a processing system of a storage network that includes a processor and a memory, causes the processing system to:
• receive a request pertaining to a data object, wherein the data object is segmented into a plurality of data segments, wherein a data segment of the plurality of data segments is dispersed error encoded in accordance with dispersed error encoding parameters to produce a set of encoded data slices;
• determine metadata associated with the data object;
• based on the metadata, identify one or more data segments associated with the data object;
• determine a set of storage units associated with each of the one or more data segments;
• sending a set of query requests to the set of storage units;
• receiving, based on the set of query requests, receiving a response from a storage unit of the set of storage units;
• generating, based on the response, a storage record, wherein the storage record includes a data identifier associated with the data object and an identity of the set of storage units;
• determine whether the response indicates an unfavorable storage environment, wherein an unfavorable storage environment is a storage environment comprising a storage record that compares unfavorably to a desired storage record;
• and
• when the storage record compares unfavorably to a desired storage record, facilitate migration of one or more encoded data slices associated with the storage unit to another storage unit.