Dispersed Storage Retrieval Threshold for Encoded Data Slices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computer storage systems face challenges with data integrity and security due to the failure of commercial-grade memory devices, particularly those using physical movement technologies, which can lead to data loss and increased maintenance demands, and RAID systems face inefficiencies and security risks with multiple disc failures.
Innovation Solution
A distributed storage network system that employs error-coded data slices stored across multiple geographically diverse locations, using a processing module to partition data into segments, encode them, and distribute them across multiple storage units, ensuring data integrity and security through redundancy and dispersed storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If data is stored in commercial-grade memory devices with physical movement, then storage capacity is achieved, but data integrity deteriorates due to device failures and bit corruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides data into multiple segments and stores them across different memory devices. Each segment can be independently retrieved and reconstructed, so that failure of individual devices does not result in complete data loss. This segmentation allows the system to maintain data integrity even when individual storage devices fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of data representation by encoding data in a distributed manner across multiple devices rather than storing complete copies. This parameter change enables retrieval of data from a subset of devices, improving reliability while maintaining storage capacity.
2Reliability
If RAID systems with multiple disc drives are used, then data redundancy is improved, but device complexity increases and security risks arise from multiple disc failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data into distinct portions stored on different devices, eliminating the need for complex RAID parity calculations and management. This simple segmentation approach achieves redundancy without the computational overhead and complexity of traditional RAID systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the essential function of data redundancy from complex RAID architectures by implementing a simpler distributed storage model. This extraction removes unnecessary complexity while preserving the core benefit of data protection through distribution.
3Reliability
If multiple copies of data are created for redundancy, then data security is improved, but storage efficiency deteriorates due to redundant overhead
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating complete redundant copies of data, the patent segments data and distributes segments across multiple devices. This approach provides security through distribution while using storage space more efficiently, as each device holds only a portion of the total data rather than complete copies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial redundancy by storing data segments across multiple devices rather than creating full copies. This partial action approach provides sufficient security through distribution while avoiding the excessive storage overhead of complete duplication.
Data Source
AI summary
A method begins by a processing module determining a retrieval threshold for retrieving a set of encoded data slices from a dispersed storage network (DSN), wherein the set of encoded data slices represents data encoded using a dispersed storage error encoding function having a pillar width of “n”, a decode threshold of “k”, and an encoding ratio of n−k>k and wherein the retrieval threshold is in accordance with the encoding ratio. The method continues with the processing module issuing data retrieval requests to the DSN for the set of encoded data slices and receiving encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices to produce received encoded data slices. The method continues with the processing module decoding the received encoded data slices to recapture the data when a number of received encoded data slices compares favorably to the retrieval threshold.