Slice metadata for optimized dispersed storage network memory storage strategies
First Claim
1. A method comprises:
- generating, by a dispersed storage (DS) processing unit of a dispersed storage network (DSN), a hint regarding data stored or to be stored, wherein the hint includes one or more storage directives;
when the data is to be stored;
dividing, by the DS processing unit, the data into data segments;
dispersed storage error encoding, by the DS processing unit, a data segment of the data segments to produce a set of encoded data slices;
generating, by the DS processing unit, a set of hints based on the hint;
affiliating, by the DS processing unit, the set of hints with the set of encoded data slices to produce a set of affiliated encoded data slices; and
sending, by the DS processing unit, 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; and
when the data is stored;
determining whether to send the hint as a unique message or embedded in a DSN message of a plurality of DSN messages;
when sending the hint as the unique message;
creating a set of unique messages that includes slice names and the hint appended to the slice names; and
when sending the hint as the embedded message;
appending the hint to a set of messages regarding the DSN message.
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Abstract
A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing unit of a dispersed storage network (DSN) generating a hint regarding data stored or to be stored. When the data is to be stored, the DS processing module divides the data into data segments and dispersed storage error encodes a data segment of the data segments to produce a set of encoded data slices. The method continues by the DS processing unit generating a set of hints based on the hint and affiliating the set of hints with the set of encoded data slices to produce a set of affiliated encoded data slices. The method continues by the DS processing unit sending the set of affiliated encoded data slices to a set of storage units of the DSN such that a storage unit of the set of storage units stores an encoded data slice in accordance with a corresponding hint.
84 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method comprises:
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generating, by a dispersed storage (DS) processing unit of a dispersed storage network (DSN), a hint regarding data stored or to be stored, wherein the hint includes one or more storage directives; when the data is to be stored; dividing, by the DS processing unit, the data into data segments; dispersed storage error encoding, by the DS processing unit, a data segment of the data segments to produce a set of encoded data slices; generating, by the DS processing unit, a set of hints based on the hint; affiliating, by the DS processing unit, the set of hints with the set of encoded data slices to produce a set of affiliated encoded data slices; and sending, by the DS processing unit, 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; and when the data is stored; determining whether to send the hint as a unique message or embedded in a DSN message of a plurality of DSN messages; when sending the hint as the unique message; creating a set of unique messages that includes slice names and the hint appended to the slice names; and when sending the hint as the embedded message; appending the hint to a set of messages regarding the DSN message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A dispersed storage (DS) processing unit of a dispersed storage network (DSN) comprises:
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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; 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 and when the data is stored; determine whether to send the hint as a unique message or embedded in a DSN message of a plurality of DSN messages; when sending the hint as the unique message; create a set of unique messages that includes slice names and the hint appended to the slice names; and when sending the hint as the embedded message; append the hint to a set of messages regarding the DSN message. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. 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; 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 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; and when the data is stored; determine whether to send the hint as a unique message or embedded in a DSN message of a plurality of DSN messages; and when sending the hint as the unique message; create a set of unique messages that includes slice names and hints appended to the slice names; and when sending the hint as the embedded message; append the hint to a set of messages regarding the DSN message. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
Specification