Distributed storage network for modification of a data object

A non-transitory computer readable memory device comprises:

• a first memory section that stores operational instructions that, when read by a computing device, causes the computing device to:
• determine a software updating sequence pattern for updating software in storage units of a dispersed storage network (DSN), wherein the storage units stores a pluralities of sets of encoded data slices, wherein a data object is dispersed storage error encoded to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices, wherein the software updating sequence pattern insures that, for each set of encoded data slices of the pluralities of sets of encoded data slices, a decode threshold number of encoded data slices is accessible, wherein the decode threshold number of encoded data slices is a minimum number of encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices needed to recover a data segment of the data object;
• a second memory section that stores operational instructions that, when read by the computing device, causes the computing device to:
• take a set of the storage units off-line for software updating in accordance with the software updating sequence pattern for updating software;
• when the software has been successfully updated in the set of the storage units, put the set of storage units back on-line and take another set of the storage units off-line for software updating in accordance with the software updating sequence pattern for updating the software;
• and
• when the software has been successfully updated in the other set of storage units, putt the other set of storage units back on-line and take yet another set of the storage units off-line for software updating in accordance with the software updating sequence pattern for updating the software.