Dispersed Storage Addressing for Reliable Large Data Object Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data storage systems face challenges with data integrity and security due to the failure of commercial-grade memory devices, particularly those using physical movement technologies, such as disc drives, which can lead to bit-level corruption and complete failure within three years, and the inefficiencies and security risks associated with redundant array of independent discs (RAID) solutions.
Innovation Solution
A dispersed storage network (DSN) system that distributes data across multiple physically diverse locations using error-coded data slices, allowing for reliable and secure data storage and retrieval, even in the event of device failures, through a distributed storage processing unit and storage integrity verification mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If data is stored using commercial-grade memory devices with physical movement technologies, then storage capacity is achieved, but data integrity and reliability deteriorate due to device failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides data into multiple slices and disperses them across different storage locations. Each slice is stored independently, so that if one storage device fails, the data can still be reconstructed from the remaining slices. This segmentation approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining data integrity through distribution while preserving storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements location-based redundancy where data slices are stored at geographically dispersed locations with different failure characteristics. By placing copies of data slices in locations with independent failure modes, the system achieves local quality differentiation that protects against systematic failures while maintaining overall storage capacity.
2Reliability
If RAID solutions are implemented to improve data reliability, then data integrity is enhanced, but device complexity and maintenance overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic data reconstruction and repair mechanisms that operate without manual intervention. When data slices are corrupted or lost, the system automatically retrieves remaining slices and reconstructs the missing data using error correction codes, eliminating the need for manual RAID maintenance while preserving data integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical RAID systems with software-based distributed storage using error correction codes. Instead of relying on hardware-level redundancy and manual intervention, the system uses mathematical algorithms to distribute and reconstruct data, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining or improving reliability.
3Reliability
If data is dispersed across multiple locations to improve security and reliability, then data protection is enhanced, but access time and retrieval complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes and stores error correction codes and data slice mappings in a distributed manner across the network. When data needs to be accessed, the system can immediately retrieve the necessary slices from predetermined locations without needing to compute reconstruction algorithms in real-time, thus maintaining fast access times while preserving data protection through dispersion.
Data Source
AI summary
A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module generating a data object identifier for data to be stored in a dispersed storage network (DSN) and partitioning the data into a plurality of data partitions based on a set of retrieval preferences and data boundary information. For a data partition, the method continues with the DS processing module dispersed storage error encoding the data partition to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices and generating a plurality of sets of DSN addresses for the plurality of sets of encoded data slices, wherein a DSN address of the plurality of sets of DSN addresses includes a representation of the data object identifier, a representation of one or more retrieval preferences of the set of retrieval preferences, a representation of a corresponding portion of the data boundary information, and dispersed storage addressing information.