Dispersed Storage Network Task Execution Scoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dispersed storage networks face challenges in reliably and securely storing and retrieving large amounts of data across multiple geographically distributed locations, particularly in maintaining data integrity and handling failures without the need for redundant copies.
Innovation Solution
A distributed computing system that employs dispersed error encoding and decoding, where data is segmented, encoded, and distributed across multiple storage units, allowing for reliable storage and retrieval while tolerating failures, and includes a decentralized agreement protocol for managing storage and task processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If data is stored across multiple geographically distributed locations without redundant copies, then storage efficiency is improved, but data reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data into multiple slices that are distributed across different storage units in the dispersed storage network. Each slice is a portion of the original data, and the segmentation allows efficient use of storage resources while maintaining the ability to reconstruct the complete data set from any sufficient subset of slices, thereby resolving the contradiction between storage efficiency and data reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements error encoding that adds redundant information to the data slices before distribution. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even if some storage units fail or data is lost during transmission, the original data can still be reliably reconstructed from the remaining slices, thus maintaining data reliability while avoiding the need for complete redundant copies
2Reliability
If data is segmented and distributed across multiple storage units, then fault tolerance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal dispersed storage network where storage units can perform multiple functions: storing data slices, receiving task execution requests, executing tasks on stored data, and participating in consensus protocols. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate specialized components for each function while maintaining high fault tolerance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a decentralized agreement protocol that uses feedback mechanisms to coordinate actions across distributed storage units. The protocol allows the system to automatically detect failures, negotiate recovery actions, and maintain consistency without centralized control, thereby achieving fault tolerance while managing system complexity through automated feedback-driven coordination
3Extent of automation
If decentralized agreement protocol is implemented for task processing, then system autonomy is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the decentralized agreement protocol into modular components that can be independently executed by storage units. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high autonomy through distributed decision-making while reducing communication overhead by only exchanging necessary information between units rather than continuous full-system coordination
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device includes memory, an interface, and a processing module. The processing module is operable to, for a plurality of dispersed storage network (DSN) units of a DSN, determine to perform a DSN level task for a range of DSN addresses. The processing module is also operable to execute a scoring function for the plurality of DSN units using one or more properties of the range of DSN addresses and one or more properties of each of the plurality of DSN units to produce a scoring resultant. The processing module is also operable to identify a DSN unit of the plurality of DSN units to execute the DSN level task based on the scoring resultant. The processing module is operable to instruct the identified DSN unit to execute the DSN level task for the range of DSN addresses.