Abstract:
Multiple revisions of an encoded data slice can be stored in a distributed storage unit. Before writing a new revision of an encoded data slice to storage, the distributed storage unit can invoke a write lock for all encoded data slices having the same slice name as the slice being currently written. The slice being currently written can be stored in temporary storage, and a rollback timer started. If a commit command is received before expiration of the rollback timer, the currently written slice can be permanently stored and made accessible for read requests. If the rollback timer expires prior to the storage unit receiving a commit command, however, a previously stored revision will be used.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS 
       [0001]    The present U.S. Utility patent application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/256,226, entitled “DISTRIBUTED STORAGE NETWORK DATA REVISION CONTROL,” (Attorney Docket No. CS089), filed Oct. 29, 2009, pending, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility Patent Application for all purposes. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    NOT APPLICABLE 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0003]    NOT APPLICABLE 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Technical Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    This invention relates generally to computing systems and more particularly to data storage solutions within such computing systems. 
         [0006]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0007]    Computers are known to communicate, process, and store data. Such computers range from wireless smart phones to data centers that support millions of web searches, stock trades, or on-line purchases every day. In general, a computing system generates data and/or manipulates data from one form into another. For instance, an image sensor of the computing system generates raw picture data and, using an image compression program (e.g., JPEG, MPEG, etc.), the computing system manipulates the raw picture data into a standardized compressed image. 
         [0008]    With continued advances in processing speed and communication speed, computers are capable of processing real time multimedia data for applications ranging from simple voice communications to streaming high definition video. As such, general-purpose information appliances are replacing purpose-built communications devices (e.g., a telephone). For example, smart phones can support telephony communications but they are also capable of text messaging and accessing the internet to perform functions including email, web browsing, remote applications access, and media communications (e.g., telephony voice, image transfer, music files, video files, real time video streaming. etc.). 
         [0009]    Each type of computer is constructed and operates in accordance with one or more communication, processing, and storage standards. As a result of standardization and with advances in technology, more and more information content is being converted into digital formats. For example, more digital cameras are now being sold than film cameras, thus producing more digital pictures. As another example, web-based programming is becoming an alternative to over the air television broadcasts and/or cable broadcasts. As further examples, papers, books, video entertainment, home video, etc. are now being stored digitally, which increases the demand on the storage function of computers. 
         [0010]    A typical computer storage system includes one or more memory devices aligned with the needs of the various operational aspects of the computer&#39;s processing and communication functions. Generally, the immediacy of access dictates what type of memory device is used. For example, random access memory (RAM) memory can be accessed in any random order with a constant response time, thus it is typically used for cache memory and main memory. By contrast, memory device technologies that require physical movement such as magnetic disks, tapes, and optical discs, have a variable response time as the physical movement can take longer than the data transfer, thus they are typically used for secondary memory (e.g., hard drive, backup memory, etc.). 
         [0011]    A computer&#39;s storage system will be compliant with one or more computer storage standards that include, but are not limited to, network file system (NFS), flash file system (FFS), disk file system (DFS), small computer system interface (SCSI), internet small computer system interface (iSCSI), file transfer protocol (FTP), and web-based distributed authoring and versioning (WebDAV). These standards specify the data storage format (e.g., files, data objects, data blocks, directories, etc.) and interfacing between the computer&#39;s processing function and its storage system, which is a primary function of the computer&#39;s memory controller. 
         [0012]    Despite the standardization of the computer and its storage system, memory devices fail; especially commercial grade memory devices that utilize technologies incorporating physical movement (e.g., a disc drive). For example, it is fairly common for a disc drive to routinely suffer from bit level corruption and to completely fail after three years of use. One solution is to a higher-grade disc drive, which adds significant cost to a computer. 
         [0013]    Another solution is to utilize multiple levels of redundant disc drives to replicate the data into two or more copies. One such redundant drive approach is called redundant array of independent discs (RAID). In a RAID device, a RAID controller adds parity data to the original data before storing it across the array. The parity data is calculated from the original data such that the failure of a disc will not result in the loss of the original data. For example, RAID 5 uses three discs to protect data from the failure of a single disc. The parity data, and associated redundancy overhead data, reduces the storage capacity of three independent discs by one third (e.g., n−1=capacity). RAID 6 can recover from a loss of two discs and requires a minimum of four discs with a storage capacity of n−2. 
         [0014]    While RAID addresses the memory device failure issue, it is not without its own failures issues that affect its effectiveness, efficiency and security. For instance, as more discs are added to the array, the probability of a disc failure increases, which increases the demand for maintenance. For example, when a disc fails, it needs to be manually replaced before another disc fails and the data stored in the RAID device is lost. To reduce the risk of data loss, data on a RAID device is typically copied on to one or more other RAID devices. While this addresses the loss of data issue, it raises a security issue since multiple copies of data are available, which increases the chances of unauthorized access. Further, as the amount of data being stored grows, the overhead of RAID devices becomes a non-trivial efficiency issue. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing system in accordance with the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing core in accordance with the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a distributed storage processing unit in accordance with the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a grid module in accordance with the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of an example embodiment of error coded data slice creation in accordance with the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating the determination of a data revision number; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating the retrieving of like revision data; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating the storing of data; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is another flowchart illustrating the storing of data; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is another flowchart illustrating the storing of data; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating the deleting of data; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating the retrieving of data. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of a computing system  10  that includes one or more of a first type of user devices  12 , one or more of a second type of user devices  14 , at least one distributed storage (DS) processing unit  16 , at least one DS managing unit  18 , at least one storage integrity processing unit  20 , and a distributed storage network (DSN) memory  22  coupled via a network  24 . The network  24  may include one or more wireless and/or wire lined communication systems; one or more private intranet systems and/or public internet systems; and/or one or more local area networks (LAN) and/or wide area networks (WAN). 
         [0028]    The DSN memory  22  includes a plurality of distributed storage (DS) units  36  for storing data of the system. Each of the DS units  36  includes a processing module and memory and may be located at a geographically different site than the other DS units (e.g., one in Chicago, one in Milwaukee, etc.). The processing module may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing module may have an associated memory and/or memory element, which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry of the processing module. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that if the processing module includes more than one processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located (e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless bus structure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing via indirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network). Further note that when the processing module implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the corresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memory element stores, and the processing module executes, hard coded and/or operational instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or functions illustrated in  FIGS. 1-12 . 
         [0029]    Each of the user devices  12 - 14 , the DS processing unit  16 , the DS managing unit  18 , and the storage integrity processing unit  20  may be a portable computing device (e.g., a social networking device, a gaming device, a cell phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, a digital music player, a digital video player, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a video game controller, and/or any other portable device that includes a computing core) and/or a fixed computing device (e.g., a personal computer, a computer server, a cable set-top box, a satellite receiver, a television set, a printer, a fax machine, home entertainment equipment, a video game console, and/or any type of home or office computing equipment). Such a portable or fixed computing device includes a computing core  26  and one or more interfaces  30 ,  32 , and/or  33 . An embodiment of the computing core  26  will be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0030]    With respect to the interfaces, each of the interfaces  30 ,  32 , and  33  includes software and/or hardware to support one or more communication links via the network  24  and/or directly. For example, interfaces  30  support a communication link (wired, wireless, direct, via a LAN, via the network  24 , etc.) between the first type of user device  14  and the DS processing unit  16 . As another example, DSN interface  32  supports a plurality of communication links via the network  24  between the DSN memory  22  and the DS processing unit  16 , the first type of user device  12 , and/or the storage integrity processing unit  20 . As yet another example, interface  33  supports a communication link between the DS managing unit  18  and any one of the other devices and/or units  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  20 , and/or  22  via the network  24 . 
         [0031]    In general and with respect to data storage, the system  10  supports three primary functions: distributed network data storage management, distributed data storage and retrieval, and data storage integrity verification. In accordance with these three primary functions, data can be distributedly stored in a plurality of physically different locations and subsequently retrieved in a reliable and secure manner regardless of failures of individual storage devices, failures of network equipment, the duration of storage, the amount of data being stored, attempts at hacking the data, etc. 
         [0032]    The DS managing unit  18  performs distributed network data storage management functions, which include establishing distributed data storage parameters, performing network operations, performing network administration, and/or performing network maintenance. The DS managing unit  18  establishes the distributed data storage parameters (e.g., allocation of virtual DSN memory space, distributed storage parameters, security parameters, billing information, user profile information, etc.) for one or more of the user devices  12 - 14  (e.g., established for individual devices, established for a user group of devices, established for public access by the user devices, etc.). For example, the DS managing unit  18  coordinates the creation of a vault (e.g., a virtual memory block) within the DSN memory  22  for a user device (for a group of devices, or for public access). The DS managing unit  18  also determines the distributed data storage parameters for the vault. In particular, the DS managing unit  18  determines a number of slices (e.g., the number that a data segment of a data file and/or data block is partitioned into for distributed storage) and a read threshold value (e.g., the minimum number of slices required to reconstruct the data segment). 
         [0033]    As another example, the DS managing module  18  creates and stores, locally or within the DSN memory  22 , user profile information. The user profile information includes one or more of authentication information, permissions, and/or the security parameters. The security parameters may include one or more of encryption/decryption scheme, one or more encryption keys, key generation scheme, and data encoding/decoding scheme. 
         [0034]    As yet another example, the DS managing unit  18  creates billing information for a particular user, user group, vault access, public vault access, etc. For instance, the DS managing unit  18  tracks the number of times user accesses a private vault and/or public vaults, which can be used to generate a per-access bill. In another instance, the DS managing unit  18  tracks the amount of data stored and/or retrieved by a user device and/or a user group, which can be used to generate a per-data-amount bill. 
         [0035]    The DS managing unit  18  also performs network operations, network administration, and/or network maintenance. As at least part of performing the network operations and/or administration, the DS managing unit  18  monitors performance of the devices and/or units of the system  10  for potential failures, determines the devices and/or unit&#39;s activation status, determines the devices&#39; and/or units&#39; loading, and any other system level operation that affects the performance level of the system  10 . For example, the DS managing unit  18  receives and aggregates network management alarms, alerts, errors, status information, performance information, and messages from the devices  12 - 14  and/or the units  16 ,  20 ,  22 . For example, the DS managing unit  18  receives a simple network management protocol (SNMP) message regarding the status of the DS processing unit  16 . 
         [0036]    The DS managing unit  18  performs the network maintenance by identifying equipment within the system  10  that needs replacing, upgrading, repairing, and/or expanding. For example, the DS managing unit  18  determines that the DSN memory  22  needs more DS units  36  or that one or more of the DS units  36  needs updating. 
         [0037]    The second primary function (i.e., distributed data storage and retrieval) begins and ends with a user device  12 - 14 . For instance, if a second type of user device  14  has a data file  38  and/or data block  40  to store in the DSN memory  22 , it send the data file  38  and/or data block  40  to the DS processing unit  16  via its interface  30 . As will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 2 , the interface  30  functions to mimic a conventional operating system (OS) file system interface (e.g., network file system (NFS), flash file system (FFS), disk file system (DFS), file transfer protocol (FTP), web-based distributed authoring and versioning (WebDAV), etc.) and/or a block memory interface (e.g., small computer system interface (SCSI), internet small computer system interface (iSCSI), etc.). In addition, the interface  30  may attach a user identification code (ID) to the data file  38  and/or data block  40 . 
         [0038]    The DS processing unit  16  receives the data file  38  and/or data block  40  via its interface  30  and performs a distributed storage (DS) process  34  thereon (e.g., an error coding dispersal storage function). The DS processing  34  begins by partitioning the data file  38  and/or data block  40  into one or more data segments, which is represented as Y data segments. For example, the DS processing  34  may partition the data file  38  and/or data block  40  into a fixed byte size segment (e.g., 2 1  to 2 n  bytes, where n=&gt;2) or a variable byte size (e.g., change byte size from segment to segment, or from groups of segments to groups of segments, etc.). 
         [0039]    For each of the Y data segments, the DS processing  34  error encodes (e.g., forward error correction (FEC), information dispersal algorithm, or error correction coding) and slices (or slices then error encodes) the data segment into a plurality of error coded (EC) data slices  42 - 48 , which is represented as X slices per data segment. The number of slices (X) per segment, which corresponds to a number of pillars n, is set in accordance with the distributed data storage parameters and the error coding scheme. For example, if a Reed-Solomon (or other FEC scheme) is used in an n/k system, then a data segment is divided into n slices, where k number of slices is needed to reconstruct the original data (i.e., k is the threshold). As a few specific examples, the n/k factor may be 5/3; 6/4; 8/6; 8/5; 16/10. 
         [0040]    For each slice  42 - 48 , the DS processing unit  16  creates a unique slice name and appends it to the corresponding slice  42 - 48 . The slice name includes universal DSN memory addressing routing information (e.g., virtual memory addresses in the DSN memory  22 ) and user-specific information (e.g., user ID, file name, data block identifier, etc.). 
         [0041]    The DS processing unit  16  transmits the plurality of EC slices  42 - 48  to a plurality of DS units  36  of the DSN memory  22  via the DSN interface  32  and the network  24 . The DSN interface  32  formats each of the slices for transmission via the network  24 . For example, the DSN interface  32  may utilize an internet protocol (e.g., TCP/IP, etc.) to packetize the slices  42 - 48  for transmission via the network  24 . 
         [0042]    The number of DS units  36  receiving the slices  42 - 48  is dependent on the distributed data storage parameters established by the DS managing unit  18 . For example, the DS managing unit  18  may indicate that each slice is to be stored in a different DS unit  36 . As another example, the DS managing unit  18  may indicate that like slice numbers of different data segments are to be stored in the same DS unit  36 . For example, the first slice of each of the data segments is to be stored in a first DS unit  36 , the second slice of each of the data segments is to be stored in a second DS unit  36 , etc. In this manner, the data is encoded and distributedly stored at physically diverse locations to improved data storage integrity and security. Further examples of encoding the data segments will be provided with reference to one or more of  FIGS. 2-12 . 
         [0043]    Each DS unit  36  that receives a slice  42 - 48  for storage translates the virtual DSN memory address of the slice into a local physical address for storage. Accordingly, each DS unit  36  maintains a virtual to physical memory mapping to assist in the storage and retrieval of data. 
         [0044]    The first type of user device  12  performs a similar function to store data in the DSN memory  22  with the exception that it includes the DS processing. As such, the device  12  encodes and slices the data file and/or data block it has to store. The device then transmits the slices  11  to the DSN memory via its DSN interface  32  and the network  24 . 
         [0045]    For a second type of user device  14  to retrieve a data file or data block from memory, it issues a read command via its interface  30  to the DS processing unit  16 . The DS processing unit  16  performs the DS processing  34  to identify the DS units  36  storing the slices of the data file and/or data block based on the read command. The DS processing unit  16  may also communicate with the DS managing unit  18  to verify that the user device  14  is authorized to access the requested data. 
         [0046]    Assuming that the user device is authorized to access the requested data, the DS processing unit  16  issues slice read commands to at least a threshold number of the DS units  36  storing the requested data (e.g., to at least 10 DS units for a 16/10 error coding scheme). Each of the DS units  36  receiving the slice read command, verifies the command, accesses its virtual to physical memory mapping, retrieves the requested slice, or slices, and transmits it to the DS processing unit  16 . 
         [0047]    Once the DS processing unit  16  has received a read threshold number of slices for a data segment, it performs an error decoding function and de-slicing to reconstruct the data segment. When Y number of data segments has been reconstructed, the DS processing unit  16  provides the data file  38  and/or data block  40  to the user device  14 . Note that the first type of user device  12  performs a similar process to retrieve a data file and/or data block. 
         [0048]    The storage integrity processing unit  20  performs the third primary function of data storage integrity verification. In general, the storage integrity processing unit  20  periodically retrieves slices  45 , and/or slice names, of a data file or data block of a user device to verify that one or more slices have not been corrupted or lost (e.g., the DS unit failed). The retrieval process mimics the read process previously described. 
         [0049]    If the storage integrity processing unit  20  determines that one or more slices is corrupted or lost, it rebuilds the corrupted or lost slice(s) in accordance with the error coding scheme. The storage integrity processing unit  20  stores the rebuild slice, or slices, in the appropriate DS unit(s)  36  in a manner that mimics the write process previously described. 
         [0050]      FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing core  26  that includes a processing module  50 , a memory controller  52 , main memory  54 , a video graphics processing unit  55 , an input/output (IO) controller  56 , a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) interface  58 , at least one IO device interface module  62 , a read only memory (ROM) basic input output system (BIOS)  64 , and one or more memory interface modules. The memory interface module(s) includes one or more of a universal serial bus (USB) interface module  66 , a host bus adapter (HBA) interface module  68 , a network interface module  70 , a flash interface module  72 , a hard drive interface module  74 , and a DSN interface module  76 . Note the DSN interface module  76  and/or the network interface module  70  may function as the interface  30  of the user device  14  of  FIG. 1 . Further note that the IO device interface module  62  and/or the memory interface modules may be collectively or individually referred to as IO ports. 
         [0051]    The processing module  50  may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing module  50  may have an associated memory and/or memory element, which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry of the processing module  50 . Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that if the processing module  50  includes more than one processing device, the processing devices may be centrally located (e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless bus structure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing via indirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network). Further note that when the processing module  50  implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the corresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memory element stores, and the processing module  50  executes, hard coded and/or operational instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or functions illustrated in  FIGS. 1-12 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dispersed storage (DS) processing module  34  of user device  12  and/or of the DS processing unit  16 . The DS processing module  34  includes a gateway module  78 , an access module  80 , a grid module  82 , and a storage module  84 . The DS processing module  34  may also include an interface  30  and the DSnet interface  32  or the interfaces  68  and/or  70  may be part of user  12  or of the DS processing unit  14 . The DS processing module  34  may further include a bypass/feedback path between the storage module  84  to the gateway module  78 . Note that the modules  78 - 84  of the DS processing module  34  may be in a single unit or distributed across multiple units. 
         [0053]    In an example of storing data, the gateway module  78  receives an incoming data object that includes a user ID field  86 , an object name field  88 , and the data field  40  and may also receive corresponding information that includes a process identifier (e.g., an internal process/application ID), metadata, a file system directory, a block number, a transaction message, a user device identity (ID), a data object identifier, a source name, and/or user information. The gateway module  78  authenticates the user associated with the data object by verifying the user ID  86  with the managing unit  18  and/or another authenticating unit. 
         [0054]    When the user is authenticated, the gateway module  78  obtains user information from the management unit  18 , the user device, and/or the other authenticating unit. The user information includes a vault identifier, operational parameters, and user attributes (e.g., user data, billing information, etc.). A vault identifier identifies a vault, which is a virtual memory space that maps to a set of DS storage units  36 . For example, vault  1  (i.e., user  1 &#39;s DSN memory space) includes eight DS storage units (X=8 wide) and vault  2  (i.e., user  2 &#39;s DSN memory space) includes sixteen DS storage units (X=16 wide). The operational parameters may include an error coding algorithm, the width n (number of pillars X or slices per segment for this vault), a read threshold T, a write threshold, an encryption algorithm, a slicing parameter, a compression algorithm, an integrity check method, caching settings, parallelism settings, and/or other parameters that may be used to access the DSN memory layer. 
         [0055]    The gateway module  78  uses the user information to assign a source name  35  to the data. For instance, the gateway module  60  determines the source name  35  of the data object  40  based on the vault identifier and the data object. For example, the source name may contain a file identifier (ID), a vault generation number, a reserved field, and a vault identifier (ID). As another example, the gateway module  78  may generate the file ID based on a hash function of the data object  40 . Note that the gateway module  78  may also perform message conversion, protocol conversion, electrical conversion, optical conversion, access control, user identification, user information retrieval, traffic monitoring, statistics generation, configuration, management, and/or source name determination. 
         [0056]    The access module  80  receives the data object  40  and creates a series of data segments  1  through Y  90 - 92  in accordance with a data storage protocol (e.g., file storage system, a block storage system, and/or an aggregated block storage system). The number of segments Y may be chosen or randomly assigned based on a selected segment size and the size of the data object. For example, if the number of segments is chosen to be a fixed number, then the size of the segments varies as a function of the size of the data object. For instance, if the data object is an image file of 4,194,304 eight bit bytes (e.g., 33,554,432 bits) and the number of segments Y=131,072, then each segment is 256 bits or 32 bytes. As another example, if segment sized is fixed, then the number of segments Y varies based on the size of data object. For instance, if the data object is an image file of 4,194,304 bytes and the fixed size of each segment is 4,096 bytes, the then number of segments Y=1,024. Note that each segment is associated with the same source name. 
         [0057]    The grid module  82  receives the data segments and may manipulate (e.g., compression, encryption, cyclic redundancy check (CRC), etc.) each of the data segments before performing an error coding function of the error coding dispersal storage function to produce a pre-manipulated data segment. After manipulating a data segment, if applicable, the grid module  82  error encodes (e.g., Reed-Solomon, Convolution encoding, Trellis encoding, etc.) the data segment or manipulated data segment into X error coded data slices  42 - 44 . 
         [0058]    The value X, or the number of pillars (e.g., X=16), is chosen as a parameter of the error coding dispersal storage function. Other parameters of the error coding dispersal function include a read threshold T, a write threshold W, etc. The read threshold (e.g., T=10, when X=16) corresponds to the minimum number of error-free error coded data slices required to reconstruct the data segment. In other words, the DS processing module  34  can compensate for X-T (e.g., 16−10=6) missing error coded data slices per data segment. The write threshold W corresponds to a minimum number of DS storage units that acknowledge proper storage of their respective data slices before the DS processing module indicates proper storage of the encoded data segment. Note that the write threshold is greater than or equal to the read threshold for a given number of pillars (X). 
         [0059]    For each data slice of a data segment, the grid module  82  generates a unique slice name  37  and attaches it thereto. The slice name  37  includes a universal routing information field and a vault specific field and may be 48 bytes (e.g., 24 bytes for each of the universal routing information field and the vault specific field). As illustrated, the universal routing information field includes a slice index, a vault ID, a vault generation, and a reserved field. The slice index is based on the pillar number and the vault ID and, as such, is unique for each pillar (e.g., slices of the same pillar for the same vault for any segment will share the same slice index). The vault specific field includes a data name, which includes a file ID and a segment number (e.g., a sequential numbering of data segments  1 -Y of a simple data object or a data block number). 
         [0060]    Prior to outputting the error coded data slices of a data segment, the grid module may perform post-slice manipulation on the slices. If enabled, the manipulation includes slice level compression, encryption, CRC, addressing, tagging, and/or other manipulation to improve the effectiveness of the computing system. 
         [0061]    When the error coded data slices of a data segment are ready to be outputted, the grid module  82  determines which of the DS storage units  36  will store the EC data slices based on a dispersed storage memory mapping associated with the user&#39;s vault and/or DS storage unit  36  attributes. The DS storage unit attributes may include availability, self-selection, performance history, link speed, link latency, ownership, available DSN memory, domain, cost, a prioritization scheme, a centralized selection message from another source, a lookup table, data ownership, and/or any other factor to optimize the operation of the computing system. Note that the number of DS storage units  36  is equal to or greater than the number of pillars (e.g., X) so that no more than one error coded data slice of the same data segment is stored on the same DS storage unit  36 . Further note that EC data slices of the same pillar number but of different segments (e.g., EC data slice  1  of data segment  1  and EC data slice  1  of data segment  2 ) may be stored on the same or different DS storage units  36 . 
         [0062]    The storage module  84  performs an integrity check on the outbound encoded data slices and, when successful, identifies a plurality of DS storage units based on information provided by the grid module. The storage module then outputs the encoded data slices  1  through X of each segment  1  through Y to the DS storage units. Each of the DS storage units  36  stores its EC data slice(s) and maintains a local virtual DSN address to physical location table to convert the virtual DSN address of the EC data slice(s) into physical storage addresses. 
         [0063]    In an example of a read operation, the user device  12  and/or  14  sends a read request to the DS processing unit  14 , which authenticates the request. When the request is authentic, the DS processing unit  14  sends a read message to each of the DS storage units  36  storing slices of the data object being read. The slices are received via the DSnet interface  32  and processed by the storage module  84 , which performs a parity check and provides the slices to the grid module  82  when the parity check was successful. The grid module  82  decodes the slices in accordance with the error coding dispersal storage function to reconstruct the data segment. The access module  80  reconstructs the data object from the data segments and the gateway module  78  formats the data object for transmission to the user device. 
         [0064]      FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a grid module  82  that includes a control unit  73 , a pre-slice manipulator  75 , an encoder  77 , a slicer  79 , a post-slice manipulator  81 , a pre-slice de-manipulator  83 , a decoder  85 , a de-slicer  87 , and/or a post-slice de-manipulator  89 . Note that the control unit  73  may be partially or completely external to the grid module  82 . For example, the control unit  73  may be part of the computing core at a remote location, part of a user device, part of the DS managing unit  18 , or distributed amongst one or more DS storage units. 
         [0065]    In an example of write operation, the pre-slice manipulator  75  receives a data segment  90 - 92  and a write instruction from an authorized user device. The pre-slice manipulator  75  determines if pre-manipulation of the data segment  90 - 92  is required and, if so, what type. The pre-slice manipulator  75  may make the determination independently or based on instructions from the control unit  73 , where the determination is based on a computing system-wide predetermination, a table lookup, vault parameters associated with the user identification, the type of data, security requirements, available DSN memory, performance requirements, and/or other metadata. 
         [0066]    Once a positive determination is made, the pre-slice manipulator  75  manipulates the data segment  90 - 92  in accordance with the type of manipulation. For example, the type of manipulation may be compression (e.g., Lempel-Ziv-Welch, Huffman, Golomb, fractal, wavelet, etc.), signatures (e.g., Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA), Elliptic Curve DSA, Secure Hash Algorithm, etc.), watermarking, tagging, encryption (e.g., Data Encryption Standard, Advanced Encryption Standard, etc.), adding metadata (e.g., time/date stamping, user information, file type, etc.), cyclic redundancy check (e.g., CRC32), and/or other data manipulations to produce the pre-manipulated data segment. 
         [0067]    The encoder  77  encodes the pre-manipulated data segment  92  using a forward error correction (FEC) encoder (and/or other type of erasure coding and/or error coding) to produce an encoded data segment  94 . The encoder  77  determines which forward error correction algorithm to use based on a predetermination associated with the user&#39;s vault, a time based algorithm, user direction, DS managing unit direction, control unit direction, as a function of the data type, as a function of the data segment  92  metadata, and/or any other factor to determine algorithm type. The forward error correction algorithm may be Golay, Multidimensional parity, Reed-Solomon, Hamming, Bose Ray Chauduri Hocquenghem (BCH), Cauchy-Reed-Solomon, or any other FEC encoder. Note that the encoder  77  may use a different encoding algorithm for each data segment  92 , the same encoding algorithm for the data segments  92  of a data object, or a combination thereof. 
         [0068]    The encoded data segment  94  is of greater size than the data segment  92  by the overhead rate of the encoding algorithm by a factor of X/T, where X is the width or number of slices, and T is the read threshold. In this regard, the corresponding decoding process can accommodate at most X−T missing EC data slices and still recreate the data segment  92 . For example, if X=16 and T=10, then the data segment  92  will be recoverable as long as 10 or more EC data slices per segment are not corrupted. 
         [0069]    The slicer  79  transforms the encoded data segment  94  into EC data slices in accordance with the slicing parameter from the vault for this user and/or data segment  92 . For example, if the slicing parameter is X=16, then the slicer slices each encoded data segment  94  into 16 encoded slices. 
         [0070]    The post-slice manipulator  81  performs, if enabled, post-manipulation on the encoded slices to produce the EC data slices. If enabled, the post-slice manipulator  81  determines the type of post-manipulation, which may be based on a computing system-wide predetermination, parameters in the vault for this user, a table lookup, the user identification, the type of data, security requirements, available DSN memory, performance requirements, control unit directed, and/or other metadata. Note that the type of post-slice manipulation may include slice level compression, signatures, encryption, CRC, addressing, watermarking, tagging, adding metadata, and/or other manipulation to improve the effectiveness of the computing system. 
         [0071]    In an example of a read operation, the post-slice de-manipulator  89  receives at least a read threshold number of EC data slices and performs the inverse function of the post-slice manipulator  81  to produce a plurality of encoded slices. The de-slicer  87  de-slices the encoded slices to produce an encoded data segment  94 . The decoder  85  performs the inverse function of the encoder  77  to recapture the data segment  90 - 92 . The pre-slice de-manipulator  83  performs the inverse function of the pre-slice manipulator  75  to recapture the data segment. 
         [0072]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of an example of slicing an encoded data segment  94  by the slicer  79 . In this example, the encoded data segment includes thirty-two bits, but may include more or less bits. The slicer  79  disperses the bits of the encoded data segment  94  across the EC data slices in a pattern as shown. As such, each EC data slice does not include consecutive bits of the data segment  94  reducing the impact of consecutive bit failures on data recovery. For example, if EC data slice  2  (which includes bits 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 25, and 29) is unavailable (e.g., lost, inaccessible, or corrupted), the data segment can be reconstructed from the other EC data slices (e.g., 1, 3 and 4 for a read threshold of 3 and a width of 4). 
         [0073]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating the determination of a data revision number where the DS processing determines the revision number and appends it to, or associates it with EC data slices being distributedly stored. The DS processing subsequent retrieval of EC data slices verifies that the slices utilized to recreate the data segment have the same appended revision number to improve data consistency and system performance. The retrieval method will be discussed in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
         [0074]    The method  600  begins with the step  602  where the DS processing creates EC data slices for a data segment in accordance with the operational parameters as previously discussed. As illustrated by block  604 , the DS processing determines the revision number for the slices of the data segment based on one or more of a timestamp, a random number, the user vault ID, the user ID, the data object ID, a hash of the data object, and/or a hash of the data object ID. For example, the revision number may be eight bytes and comprise a UNIX time timestamp and a random number (e.g., to provide an improvement of a unique revision number when data is stored at the same time). 
         [0075]    As illustrated by block  606 , the DS processing appends the revision number to each pillar slice of the same data segment such that each pillar slice of the same data segment has the same revision number. In an embodiment, the DS processing appends the same revision number to all the slices of all the data segments of the data object. In another embodiment, the DS processing appends the same revision number to all the slices of each data segment but the revision numbers from data segment to data segment of the data object are different. 
         [0076]    As illustrated by block  608 , the DS processing determines the DS units to send the slices to in accordance with the virtual DSN address to physical location table for the user vault of the data object. 
         [0077]    As illustrated by block  610 , the DS processing sends a write command and slices with the appended revision number to the DS units such that the DS units will store the slices and send a write confirmation message to the DS processing in response. Note that the slices are substantially sent in parallel from the DS processing to the DS units via similar or different portions of the network. Networks are known to fail from time to time thus all of the DS units may not receive the slices. As a result of network failures and other potential issues, the DS units may contain slices with different revision numbers for the same data object and/or data segment. 
         [0078]    The DS processing receives the write confirmation message from the DS units. The DS processing determines a write threshold (e.g., from the user vault, a command, a predetermination) where the write threshold is the minimum number of pillars required to store the unique slices of the same data segment to meet the criteria of a favorable write sequence. The write threshold is less than the pillar width n and greater than the read threshold (discussed previously). 
         [0079]    As illustrated by blocks  612  and  616 , the DS processing determines if the number of received write confirmation messages is equal to or greater than the write threshold. The determination may be based on one or more of comparing the number of received write confirmations to the write threshold, a command, a predetermination, and/or a system performance indicator. The DS processing may continue to keep checking for new write confirmations when the DS processing determines that the number of received write confirmation messages is not equal to or greater than the write threshold. As further illustrated by block  616 , the DS processing may fail the write sequence if a predetermined period of time expires before the DS processing determines that the number of received write confirmation messages is equal to or greater than the write threshold. 
         [0080]    As illustrated by blocks  614 , the DS processing sends a write commit command to the DS units when the DS processing determines that the number of received write confirmation messages is equal to or greater than the write threshold. The DS unit makes the slice visible on subsequent retrievals when the DS unit receives the write commit command for slices the DS unit has write confirmed. 
         [0081]    The DS unit may request the slice be resent from the DS processing when the DS unit receives the write commit command for slices the DS unit has not write confirmed. The DS processing sends the write command and slices with the appended revision number to the DS units such that the DS units will store the slices and send a write confirmation message to the DS processing in response when the DS processing receives the slice request from the DS unit. 
         [0082]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating the retrieving of like revision data where the DS processing retrieves slices from the DS unit pillars and verifies that the slices have the same appended revision numbers to improve data consistency. 
         [0083]    According to method  700 , at block  702  the DS processing determines the DS units (the pillars) to retrieve slices from in accordance with the virtual DSN address to physical location table for the user vault of the data object. As further illustrated by block  702 , the DS processing sends a retrieve command message to the DS units where the message includes the slice name. The DS processing sends the retrieve command to at least a read threshold number of DS units. For example, the DS processing sends the retrieve command to ten DS units in a 16/10 DSN system. In another example, the DS processing sends the retrieve command to twelve DS units in a 16/10 DSN system to provide better performance. The DS processing may create and temporarily save a list of DS units that were sent the retrieve command such that the DS processing may choose different DS units in a subsequent retrieval attempt if the present retrieval attempt fails. DS units send the slice and appended revision number corresponding the slice name to the DS processing when the DS unit receives the retrieval command message. 
         [0084]    As illustrated by block  704 , the DS processing receives the slices and appended revision number from the DS units. The DS processing determines the number of received slices by counting them. The DS processing determines the read threshold number for this vault by retrieving the read threshold number form the vault. The DS processing proceeds to the next step when the DS processing determines that at least a read threshold number of slices have been received from the DS units. 
         [0085]    As illustrated by blocks  706  and  708 , the DS processing determines if the appended revision numbers for the slices from each of the DS units are the same by comparing the revision numbers. Note that it is possible for some of the revision numbers to be different (e.g., as a result of a failure of a previous write sequence or some other DS unit failure). 
         [0086]    As illustrated by block  710 , the DS processing determines different DS units to send retrieval commands and the DS processing sends the retrieve command to at least a read threshold number of DS units when the appended revision numbers for the slices from each of the current DS units are not the same. The determination may be based on which DS units were already tried (saved previously) and which of those were in a majority where the majority had the same revision number. In such a scenario, the DS processing need only send a retrieval command message to a smaller set of DS units that have not been tried yet. The method branches to the step of the DS processing receiving a read threshold number of slices with appended revision numbers from the DS units. 
         [0087]    As illustrated by block  712 , the DS processing de-slices and decodes the slices to produce the data segment when the appended revision numbers for the slices from each of the current DS units are the same. 
         [0088]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating the storing of data where the DS processing utilizes a transaction process to improve data consistency. 
         [0089]    The method  800  begins at block  802 , where the DS processing receives a data object to store (e.g., from the user device). As illustrated by block  804 , the DS processing creates the slices in accordance with the operational parameters and appends revision numbers created as previously discussed with reference to  FIG. 6 . The DS processing determines the DS units and sends a write command and the slices with the appended revision numbers. The determination may be based on the virtual DSN address to physical location table. 
         [0090]    As further illustrated by block  804 , the DS unit sends a write command confirmation message to the DS processing in response to receiving the write command. The DS processing receives the write command confirmation messages, counts them, and determines if a write threshold number of confirmations has been received by comparing the count of received write command confirmation messages to the write threshold. The DS processing sends a write commit command to the DS units where the DS processing received a write command confirmation message. Note that now the newest revision is successfully stored in the DSN. 
         [0091]    In the next steps, the DS processing stores the directory in the DSN memory where the directory links the user root file to the data object to the slice name and revisions. In other words, the directory maps the data object to locations of encoded data slices generated from the data objects. These locations may be virtual DSN addresses, such as a source name or slice name that is further translated, e.g., via a lookup in a virtual DSN address to physical location table, to the DS unit locations, e.g., DS unit identifier. 
         [0092]    As illustrated by block  808 , the DS processing determines the current directory (e.g., reading it in the DS processing file system, receiving it from the user device, etc.) and caches it locally in the DS processing. As shown at block  810 , the DS processing creates slices for the current directory and sends the slices with the write command and a revision number (e.g., the directory is assigned a revision number) to the DS units associated with the user vault. After caching the current directory, and before sending the directory slices to be stored, a new entry can be added to represent the directory slices. The DS units receive the slices and write command and will process the write sequence as will be discussed in greater with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
         [0093]    As illustrated by blocks  812  and  814 , the DS processing determines the response from the DS units where the response may be a write failure or a write success (e.g., a write command confirmation). The write failure may result from one or more of the slice names were already write locked (e.g., an active write transaction was already in process), the DS processing determines that the number of write confirmations is below the write threshold, and/or the number of write confirmations with the same revision numbers is below the write threshold. 
         [0094]    As illustrated by block  814 , the DS processing branches back to the step of determining the directory when the DS processing determines the response from the DS units is a write failure. 
         [0095]    As illustrated by block  816 , the DS processing sends a write commit command to the DS units where the DS processing received successful write confirmations when the DS processing determines the response from the DS units is a write success. Note that this step will activate the revision of the current directory. 
         [0096]      FIG. 9  is another flowchart illustrating the storing of data where the DS unit processes write transactions in accordance with a transaction process to improve the consistency of stored data. 
         [0097]    The method  900  begins at block  902 , where the DS unit receives a write command, slice name, revision number, and slice for storage. The DS unit may determine if this slice name is already in a write locked state (e.g., in an active write sequence) by a lookup. The DS unit may send a write lock failure message to the DS processing when the DS unit determines that this slice name is already in a write locked state. 
         [0098]    As illustrated by block  904 , the DS unit may invoke write lock (e.g., write in a local table for this slice name) for this slice name when the DS unit determines that this slice name is not already in a write locked state. 
         [0099]    As illustrated by block  906 , the DS unit stores the slice and revision and sends a write confirmation command message to the DS processing where the message includes the write confirmation, the slice name, and the revision. 
         [0100]    As illustrated by block  908 , the DS unit starts a rollback timer where the time value may be determined by the DS unit based on a predetermined value (e.g., a lookup) or a variable value based in part on a system performance indicator. For example, a longer rollback timer may be determined when the system performance indicator indicates that the system is busier than the average. 
         [0101]    As illustrated by block  910 , the DS unit determines if the write commit command has been received from the DS processing when the rollback timer is active. As illustrated by block  912 , the DS unit removes the write lock and makes the slice visible in subsequent retrievals when the DS unit determines that a receive commit was received while the rollback timer is active. 
         [0102]    As illustrated by block  914 , the DS unit determines if the rollback timer has expired when the DS unit determines that a receive commit has not been received while the rollback timer is active. The DS unit branches back to the step of determining if a write commit command has been received when the DS unit determines that the rollback timer has not expired. 
         [0103]    As illustrated by block  916 , the DS unit rolls back the version to the previous slice version (e.g., subsequent retrievals will provide the last version, not the current version), removes the write lock for this slice name, and may delete the current version when the DS unit determines that the rollback timer has expired. 
         [0104]    Generally, after a write the DS unit may either commit or rollback. A rollback may be implemented in response to a rollback request, or in response to a failure to receive a commit command. Both a commit and a rollback result in the write lock for the slice being removed. In other embodiments, the same behavior as receiving a rollback request, can be implemented using an inactivity timer. In various embodiments, rolling back a request does not necessarily restore a slice to its previous version, because in general the state of the latest slice is changed using a commit procedure. Instead any temporary memory used for holding an uncommitted slice is freed. Also, when a slice is committed, any previous revisions for that slice continue to exist. 
         [0105]      FIG. 10  is another flowchart illustrating the storing of data where the DS unit stores a revision. 
         [0106]    The method  1000  begins at block  1002 , with the DS unit receiving a write command, slice name, slice, and revision from the DS processing. As illustrated by block  1004 , the DS unit determines a local timestamp where in an embodiment the timestamp may be a UNIX time timestamp. 
         [0107]    As illustrated by block  1006 , the DS unit stores the slice, revision, and timestamp. Note that the DS unit may not delete previous revisions of slices of the same data object such that the data object may be subsequently retrieved from previous revisions based in part on the timestamp. 
         [0108]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating the deleting of data where the DS unit processes a delete sequence for a revision. 
         [0109]    The method  1100  begins at block  1102  with the DS unit receiving a delete command, slice name, and revision from the DS processing. In various embodiments, delete commands may not be used; instead a write command is used to cause the DS unit to “write” a delete marker. As illustrated at block  1104 , the DS unit determines a local timestamp where in an embodiment the timestamp may be a UNIX time timestamp. 
         [0110]    As illustrated as block  1106 , the DS unit appends the timestamp and a delete marker to the slice. Note that the DS unit may not delete the slice in favor of marking when the delete command was received. In another embodiment, the DS unit deletes selective slices to free up memory while preserving at least a read threshold number of slices per data such that the data object may be subsequently retrieved from previous revisions based in part on the timestamp. 
         [0111]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating the retrieving of data where the DS unit retrieves a particular revision of a data segment (e.g., of a data object) based in part on the timestamp. In other words, the DS unit will retrieve sluices of a snapshot of the data object. 
         [0112]    The method  1200  begins at block  1202  with the DS unit receiving a read command, slice name, and timeframe from a requester (e.g., the DS processing unit, the DS managing unit, the storage integrity processing unit, or the user device). Note that the timeframe may or may not be exactly aligned with timestamps associated with previous revisions. As illustrated by block  1204 , the DS unit determines which local timestamp is closest to the timeframe based on a comparison of timestamps to the timeframe. 
         [0113]    As illustrated by block  1206 , the DS unit determines the slice for the timestamp based on a lookup. Note that this slice revision represents the snapshot closest to the received timeframe. As illustrated at block  1208 , the DS unit retrieves the slice and revision and sends the slice and revision to the requester. 
         [0114]    In some embodiments, a read request returns all available revisions, rather than a specific version or versions associated with a specific time frame. When all revisions are returned in response to a read request, the DS processing unit can determine the best way to handle the various revisions received. 
         [0115]    As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately” provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding term and/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a few percent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, the term(s) “coupled to” and/or “coupling” and/or includes direct coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirect coupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As may even further be used herein, the term “operable to” indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform one or more its corresponding functions and may further include inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may still further be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes direct and/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within another item. As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal  1  has a greater magnitude than signal  2 , a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude of signal  1  is greater than that of signal  2  or when the magnitude of signal  2  is less than that of signal  1 . 
         [0116]    The present invention has also been described above with the aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. 
         [0117]    The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the performance of certain significant functions. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significant functions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certain significant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.