Proxy Slice Access During Storage Unit Data Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data evacuation processes in dispersed storage networks face inefficiencies, including unnecessary resource usage and reduced availability due to the transfer of deleted slices and incomplete data during unit replacement, leading to unnecessary rebuilding and incorrect version checks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing proxying of slice access requests during data evacuation, where the replacement storage unit forwards read and write requests to the retiring unit, and handles list requests locally to minimize network traffic and prevent incorrect operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data evacuation transfers all slices including deleted ones, then data integrity is maintained, but evacuation time and network resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes deleted slices from the evacuation process before transfer. The system identifies slices marked for deletion and excludes them from the data evacuation operation, transferring only active slices to the new storage unit. This reduces evacuation time and network resource usage while maintaining data integrity for active slices.
2Loss of energy
If the replacement unit performs local list requests during evacuation, then network traffic is reduced, but the unit must maintain synchronization with the retiring unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proxy mechanism as an intermediary between the replacement unit and the retiring unit. The proxy handles list requests by forwarding them to the retiring unit and returning results to the replacement unit, allowing local list operations without direct network traffic between storage units while maintaining synchronization through the proxy mediator.
3Reliability
If checked write operations verify slice existence during evacuation, then data consistency is ensured, but operations fail when slices are in transit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-transferring slices before checked write operations are executed. The system initiates slice transfer from the retiring unit to the replacement unit before attempting write operations, ensuring that slices exist at the destination when verification is needed. This preliminary data positioning ensures data consistency while maintaining high write operation success rates.
4Productivity
If all slices are transferred during evacuation, then no rebuilding is needed, but network resources are wasted on deleted slices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts deleted slices from the evacuation process and separates them from active slices. By identifying slices marked for deletion beforehand, the system excludes them from network transfer operations, transferring only necessary active slices. This maintains evacuation completeness for active data while eliminating waste of network resources on deleted content.
Data Source
AI summary
A method begins by a processing module receiving a checked write slice request from a requesting entity. The method continues by determining that locally stored encoded data slices do not include the requested encoded data slice. The method continues by identifying an alternate location for the requested encoded data slice. The method continues by determining whether the alternate location is associated with storage of the encoded data slice. The method continues when the alternate location is associated with the storage of the encoded data slice, by issuing a favorable checked write slice response to a requesting entity. The method can include facilitating transfer of the requested encoded data slice from the alternate location to the storage unit for storage.