Distributed storage network with replication control and methods for use therewith

A dispersed storage and task (DST) processing unit comprises:

• at least one module, when operable within a computing device, that causes the computing device to:
• encode input data into a plurality of slices;
• send the plurality of slices to a first plurality of distributed storage and task execution units for storage, the first plurality of distributed storage and task execution units being located at a corresponding first plurality of sites;
• receive write slice data from the first plurality of distributed storage and task execution units;
• determine when replication is to be applied to the plurality of slices;
• when replication is to be applied to the plurality of slices:
• select a second plurality of distributed storage and task execution units;
• generate a plurality of replicated slices corresponding to the plurality of slices;
• and
• send the plurality of replicated slices to the second plurality of distributed storage and task execution units.

A computer readable storage medium comprises:

• at least one memory section that stores operational instructions that, when executed by one or more processing modules of one or more computing devices of a dispersed storage network (DSN), causes the one or more computing devices to:
• encode input data into a plurality of slices;
• send the plurality of slices to a first plurality of distributed storage and task execution units for storage, the first plurality of distributed storage and task execution units being located at a corresponding first plurality of sites;
• receive write slice data from the first plurality of distributed storage and task execution units;
• determine when replication is to be applied to the plurality of slices;
• when replication is to be applied to the plurality of slices:
• select a second plurality of distributed storage and task execution units;
• generate a plurality of replicated slices corresponding to the plurality of slices;
• and
• send the plurality of replicated slices to the second plurality of distributed storage and task execution units.