Slice Migration Verification for Integrity-Safe Storage Reassignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data storage systems in computer networks face challenges in maintaining data integrity and security while efficiently managing data distribution across dispersed storage units, particularly in the presence of storage unit failures and unauthorized access.

Innovation Solution

A dispersed storage network (DSN) system that utilizes error encoding and decoding techniques, such as Cauchy Reed-Solomon encoding, to distribute data across multiple geographically dispersed storage units, ensuring data integrity and security through redundancy and secure communication protocols, with an integrity processing unit for rebuilding corrupted or missing data slices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data is distributed across multiple storage units using error encoding, then data integrity and reliability are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data into multiple slices that are distributed across different storage units. Each slice is encoded using error correction codes, allowing the system to reconstruct original data even if some storage units fail. This segmentation approach improves reliability by eliminating single points of failure while managing complexity through modular data organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an integrity processing unit that acts as an intermediary between storage units and data access requests. This unit verifies data integrity, handles reconstruction of corrupted data, and manages the complexity of error correction operations, thereby improving reliability while shielding the rest of the system from complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If data slices are migrated between storage units, then storage efficiency and adaptability are improved, but verification overhead and time loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage flexibilityVSAvoidverification time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary verification during the slice migration process itself. Rather than verifying after migration completes, the system performs integrity checks during the transfer, allowing early detection of corruption and reducing the time needed for post-migration verification. This approach improves storage flexibility while minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where verification results from migrated slices are immediately fed back into the system. If verification fails, the system can automatically trigger re-migration or error correction procedures. This feedback loop improves storage adaptability by enabling dynamic response to migration outcomes while reducing overall verification time through iterative processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If traditional redundant copying is used for data protection, then data security is improved, but storage space efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata protectionVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses error correction codes that create redundant information in an efficient manner. Instead of storing complete duplicate copies of data, the system generates compact parity information that can reconstruct lost or corrupted data. This approach provides strong data protection while using significantly less storage space than traditional redundant copying methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of redundancy from full duplication to coded redundancy. By transforming data into encoded form with embedded error correction capabilities, the system achieves the same level of data protection with reduced storage requirements. This parameter change allows maintaining reliability while improving storage space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260064662A1Slice Migration Verification in a Storage Network
Publication Date: 2026.03.05 PURE STORAGE INC
  • US20260064662A1 patent drawing
  • US20260064662A1 patent drawing
  • US20260064662A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A storage network is operable to facilitate migration of a slice from a source storage unit of the storage network located in a first location to a destination storage unit of the storage network located in a second location. The slice is stored in memory of the destination storage unit based on migration of the slice from the source storage unit to the destination storage unit. A slice verification request is sent to the destination storage unit, where the slice verification request corresponds to the migration of the slice from the source storage unit to the destination storage unit. An integrity value is sent to the source storage unit based on the slice verification request, and the source storage unit receives integrity value from the destination storage unit. When the integrity value is verified slice assignment corresponding to the slice is updated.