Optimizing and scheduling maintenance tasks in a dispersed storage network

A distributed storage network (DSN) comprising:

• at least one DSN memory, the DSN memory including a set of storage units for storing encoded data slices;
• at least one management unit implemented using at least one processor and associated memory, the management unit configured to monitor a health status of the DSN by:
• obtaining status information regarding storage units of the set of storage units;
• determining, based on the status information, that memory of one or more identified storage units of the set of storage units has failed or is at risk of immediate failure;
• determining, based on the status information, a level of data loss risk associated with the encoded data slices;
• identifying a physical location for each of the one or more identified storage units;
• generating a repair plan for the one or more identified storage units based, at least in part, on the level of data loss risk associated with the encoded data slices and the identified physical locations of the one or more identified storage units;
• and
• issuing at least a portion of the repair plan for receipt by the one or more identified storage units.

A computing device for use in a dispersed storage network (DSN), the DSN including a set of storage units having memory for storing encoded data, the computing device comprises:

• a network interface;
• a local memory;
• and
• a processing module operably coupled to the network interface and the local memory, wherein the processing module is configured to:
• obtain, via the network interface, status information regarding storage units of the set of storage units;
• determine, based on the status information, that memory of one or more identified storage units of the set of storage units requires repair;
• determine, based on the status information, a level of data loss risk associated with encoded data stored in the one or more identified storage units;
• identify a physical location for each of the one or more identified storage units;
• generate a respective repair plan for each storage unit of the one or more identified storage units based, at least in part, on an associated level of data loss risk and an identified physical location;
• and
• issue, via the network interface, each respective repair plan for receipt by the one or more identified storage units.