Performing a desired manipulation of an encoded data slice based on a metadata restriction and a storage operational condition

A method comprises:

• receiving, by a first set of storage units of a dispersed storage network (DSN), a set of write fan out requests for a plurality of sets of encoded data slices and metadata regarding storage parameters for the plurality of sets of encoded data slices;
• copying, by the first set of storage units, the plurality of sets of encoded data slices in accordance with the set of write fan out requests to produce one or more copies of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices;
• transferring, by the first set of storage units, the one or more copies of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices and the metadata to one or more other sets of storage units;
• identifying, by a storage unit of the first set or of the one or more of the other sets of storage units, an encoded data slice of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices stored by the storage unit based on a desired manipulation of the encoded data slice;
• determining, by the storage unit, whether the metadata provides a restriction regarding the desired manipulation of the encoded data slice;
• when the metadata does not provide the restriction regarding the desired manipulation of the encoded data slice, determining, by the storage unit, whether to execute the desired manipulation of the encoded data slice based on a storage operational condition;
• and
• when the storage unit determines to execute the desired manipulation of the encoded data slice, executing, by the storage unit, the desired manipulation of the encoded data slice.