Slice metadata for optimized dsn memory storage strategies

A dispersed storage (DS) processing unit of a dispersed storage network (DSN) comprises:

• memory;
• an interface;
• and
• a processing module, wherein the memory and the interface are operably coupled to the processing module, and wherein the processing module is operable to:
• generate a hint regarding data stored or to be stored, wherein the hint includes one or more storage directives;
• and
• when the data is to be stored:
• divide the data into data segments;
• dispersed storage error encode a data segment of the data segments to produce a set of encoded data slices;
• generate a set of hints based on the hint;
• affiliate the set of hints with the set of encoded data slices to produce a set of affiliated encoded data slices;
• and
• send, via the interface, the set of affiliated encoded data slices to a set of storage units of the DSN, wherein a storage unit of the set of storage units stores an encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices in accordance with a corresponding hint of the set of hints.

A computer readable memory device of a dispersed storage network (DSN) comprises:

• a first memory element for storing operational instructions that, when executed by a dispersed storage (DS) processing unit of the DSN, causes the DS processing unit to:
• generate a hint regarding data stored or to be stored, wherein the hint includes one or more storage directives;
• a second memory element for storing operational instructions that, when executed by the DS processing unit, causes the DS processing unit to:
• when the data is to be stored:
• divide the data into data segments;
• dispersed storage error encode a data segment of the data segments to produce a set of encoded data slices;
• generate a set of hints based on the hint;
• and
• affiliate the set of hints with the set of encoded data slices to produce a set of affiliated encoded data slices;
• and
• a third memory element for storing operational instructions that, when executed by the DS processing unit, causes the DS processing unit to:
• send the set of affiliated encoded data slices to a set of storage units of the DSN, wherein a storage unit of the set of storage units stores an encoded data slice of the set of encoded data slices in accordance with a corresponding hint of the set of hints.