Method for data retrieval from a distributed data storage system

A server for accessing a data storage system, the server comprising a processor configured, at least in part, to:

• send a multicast message that requests data to a plurality of storage nodes in the data storage system, wherein the data storage system operates without the use of permanent master storage nodes, and the multicast message includes a data identifier used to uniquely identify the requested data the data storage system;
• receive a plurality of responses to the multicast message, wherein the plurality of responses comprise a first response from a first storage node and a second response from a second storage node, the first response includes a first instance of the requested data, and the second response includes a second instance of the requested data;
• analyze the first and second instances of the requested data to determine whether one or more of the first instance of the requested data or the second instance of the second data have met a desired integrity level;
• determine that the first instance of the requested data meets the desired integrity level and that the second instance of the requested data does not meet the desired integrity level;
• and
• select the first instance of the requested data based on the first instance of the requested data meeting the desired integrity level, and discarding the second instance of the requested data failing to meet the desired integrity level.

A storage node of a data storage system, the storage node comprising a processor configured, at least in part, to:

• send a multicast message that requests data to a plurality of other storage nodes in the data storage system, wherein the data storage system operates without the use of permanent master storage nodes, and the multicast message includes a data identifier used to uniquely identify the requested data the data storage system;
• receive a plurality of responses to the multicast message, wherein the plurality of responses comprise a first response from a first storage node and a second response from a second storage node, the first response includes a first instance of the requested data, and the second response includes a second instance of the requested data;
• analyze the first and second instances of the requested data to determine whether one or more of the first instance of the requested data or the second instance of the second data have met a desired integrity level;
• determine that the first instance of the requested data meets the desired integrity level and that the second instance of the requested data does not meet the desired integrity level;
• and
• select the first instance of the requested data based on the first instance of the requested data meeting the desired integrity level, and discarding the second instance of the requested data failing to meet the desired integrity level.