Method and apparatus for rebuilding data in a dispersed data storage network

A method for execution by one or more computers associated with a dispersed data storage network, the method comprises:

• identifying a data slice requiring rebuilding to produce an identified data slice, wherein the identified data slice is one of a plurality of data slices that constitute a data segment and wherein each of the plurality of data slices is assigned for storage by a corresponding one of a plurality of data slice servers;
• retrieving at least m number of data slices from at least m number of the plurality of data slice servers, wherein m data slices of the plurality of data slices enable reconstruction of the data segment, and wherein the at least m number of data slices does not include the identified data slice;
• reconstructing the data segment from the at least m number of data slices to produce a reconstructed data segment;
• performing an information dispersal algorithm on the reconstructed data segment to produce a plurality of rebuilt data slices;
• and
• writing the plurality of rebuilt data slices to the plurality of slice servers or to a new plurality of slice servers.

A computer for use within a dispersed data storage network, the computer comprises:

• a network interface for interfacing with a network, wherein a plurality of data slice servers is operably coupled to the network;
• and
• a central processing unit, wherein the central processing unit is operably coupled to:
• identify a data slice requiring rebuilding to produce an identified data slice, wherein the identified data slice is one of a plurality of data slices that constitute a data segment and wherein each of the plurality of data slices is assigned for storage by a corresponding one of a plurality of data slice servers;
• retrieve at least m number of data slices from at least m number of the plurality of data slice servers, wherein m data slices of the plurality of data slices enable reconstruction of the data segment, and wherein the at least m number of data slices does not include the identified data slice;
• and
• reconstruct the identified data slice from the at least m number of data slices to produce a rebuilt data slice;
• and
• write the rebuilt data slice to the corresponding one of the plurality of data slice servers or to a new slice server.

A computer for use within a dispersed data storage network, the computer comprises:

• a network interface for interfacing with a network, wherein a plurality of data slice servers is operably coupled to the network;
• and
• a central processing unit, wherein the central processing unit is operably coupled to:
• identify a data slice requiring rebuilding to produce an identified data slice, wherein the identified data slice is one of a plurality of data slices that constitute a data segment and wherein each of the plurality of data slices is assigned for storage by a corresponding one of a plurality of data slice servers;
• retrieve at least m number of data slices from at least m number of the plurality of data slice servers, wherein m data slices of the plurality of data slices enable reconstruction of the data segment, and wherein the at least m number of data slices does not include the identified data slice;
• reconstruct the data segment from the at least m number of data slices to produce a reconstructed data segment;
• perform an information dispersal algorithm on the reconstructed data segment to produce a plurality of rebuilt data slices;
• and
• write the plurality of rebuilt data slices to the plurality of slice servers or to a new plurality of slice servers.