Method of storing encoded data slices using a distributed agreement protocol

A computing device configured to execute a decentralized agreement protocol for selecting a set of storage units of a dispersed storage network (DSN), the computing device comprises:

• a plurality of functional rating modules, wherein each functional rating module of the plurality of functional rating modules is configured to execute a deterministic function, a normalizing function and a scoring function using a set of storage unit coefficients, wherein the set of storage unit coefficients are different for each of the functional rating modules, and wherein each functional rating module is configured to:
• receive an encoded data slice identifier;
• perform the deterministic function using the encoded data slice identifier and the set of storage unit coefficients to produce an interim result;
• perform the normalization function using interim result to produce a normalized interim result;
• and
• perform the scoring function by performing a mathematical function on the normalized interim result to produce a score;
• a ranking module receiving the score from each of the plurality of functional rating modules to produce a highest ranked set of storage units;
• and
• sending a plurality of sets of encoded data slices to the highest ranked set of storage units for storage therein.

A computing device of a group of computing devices of a dispersed storage network (DSN), the computing device comprises:

• an interface;
• a local memory;
• and
• a plurality of functional rating modules operably coupled to the interface and the local memory, wherein each functional rating module of the plurality of functional rating modules is configured to execute a deterministic function, a normalizing function and a scoring function using a set of storage unit coefficients, wherein the set of storage unit coefficients are different for each of the functional rating modules, and wherein each functional rating module is configured to:
• receive an encoded data slice identifier;
• perform the deterministic function using the encoded data slice identifier and the set of storage unit coefficient to produce an interim result;
• perform the normalization function using interim result to produce a normalized interim result;
• and
• perform the scoring function by performing a mathematical function on the normalized interim result to produce a score;
• and
• a ranking module operably coupled to the interface, the local memory and the plurality of functional rating modules and wherein the ranking module is configured to:
• receive the score from each of the plurality of functional rating modules to produce a highest ranked set of storage units for storing a plurality of sets of encoded data slices.