Distributed object storage system with dynamic spreading

A computer-implemented method, comprising:

• accessing a plurality of storage elements using a plurality of storage paths through a plurality of hierarchical system components;
• selecting, for a selected data element, a first hierarchical spreading policy from a plurality of hierarchical spreading policies for determining a subset of storage elements from the plurality of storage elements to store a plurality of data blocks corresponding to the selected data element;
• determining, for the selected data element, that the first hierarchical spreading policy has not been met;
• selecting, responsive to determining that the first hierarchical spreading policy has not been met, a second hierarchical spreading policy from the plurality of hierarchical spreading policies;
• and
• storing, using the second hierarchical spreading policy, the plurality of data blocks corresponding to the selected data element to a selected subset of storage elements from the plurality of storage elements.

A system, comprising:

• a plurality of storage elements configured to store a plurality of data blocks;
• a plurality of hierarchical system components configured to define a plurality of storage paths for accessing the plurality of storage elements;
• means for accessing the plurality of storage elements using the plurality of storage paths through the plurality of hierarchical system components;
• means for selecting, for a selected data element, a first hierarchical spreading policy from a plurality of hierarchical spreading policies for determining a subset of storage elements from the plurality of storage elements to store a plurality of data blocks corresponding to the selected data element;
• means for determining, for the selected data element, that the first hierarchical spreading policy has not been met;
• means for selecting, responsive to determining that the first hierarchical spreading policy has not been met, a second hierarchical spreading policy from the plurality of hierarchical spreading policies;
• means for storing, using the second hierarchical spreading policy, the plurality of data blocks corresponding to the selected data element to a selected subset of storage elements from the plurality of storage elements;
• and
• means for migrating, using the first hierarchical spreading policy, the plurality of data blocks stored using the second hierarchical spreading policy.