Optimal slice encoding strategies within a dispersed storage unit

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for use in a dispersed storage network (DSN) to facilitate additional encoding of data stored in the DSN. In one example, when receiving a slice of data to be stored in the DSN, a dispersed storage (DS) unit may perform a modification to the encoding prior to storage. The encoding operations can be performed on a slice by slice basis based on known information about the data slice, a vault, an underlying memory device or other such environmental data. The data slice can be marked with an indication of any encoding applied as well as an indication of the order in which multiple encoding were applied. These indications can then be used to decode an encoded slice following a request to retrieve related data from the DSN.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.