A memory controller comprises: an interface for coupling to a memory device; and a processing module operably coupled to the interface and operable to: receive a data segment memory transfer request from a first memory layer to a second memory layer; determine whether the data segment is stored within the first memory layer in accordance with an error coding dispersal function; characterized in that when the data segment is stored in accordance with the error coding dispersal function as a plurality of data slices, determine whether the data segment is to be stored in the second memory layer in accordance with the error coding dispersal function; when the data segment is not to be stored in the second memory layer in accordance with the error coding dispersal function: retrieve the plurality of data slices from the first memory layer; convert the plurality of data slices into a reconstructed data segment; determine whether to store the reconstructed data segment in accordance with a second error coding dispersal function in the second memory layer; when the reconstructed data segment is to be stored in accordance with the second error coding dispersal function: perform the second error coding dispersal function on the reconstructed data segment to produce a second plurality of data slices; and send the second plurality of data slices to the second memory layer. an interface for coupling to a memory device; and a processing module operably coupled to the interface and operable to: receive a data segment memory transfer request from a first memory layer to a second memory layer; determine whether the data segment is stored within the first memory layer in accordance with an error coding dispersal function; characterized in that when the data segment is stored in accordance with the error coding dispersal function as a plurality of data slices, determine whether the data segment is to be stored in the second memory layer in accordance with the error coding dispersal function; when the data segment is not to be stored in the second memory layer in accordance with the error coding dispersal function: retrieve the plurality of data slices from the first memory layer; convert the plurality of data slices into a reconstructed data segment; determine whether to store the reconstructed data segment in accordance with a second error coding dispersal function in the second memory layer; when the reconstructed data segment is to be stored in accordance with the second error coding dispersal function: perform the second error coding dispersal function on the reconstructed data segment to produce a second plurality of data slices; and send the second plurality of data slices to the second memory layer. receive a data segment memory transfer request from a first memory layer to a second memory layer; determine whether the data segment is stored within the first memory layer in accordance with an error coding dispersal function; characterized in that when the data segment is stored in accordance with the error coding dispersal function as a plurality of data slices, determine whether the data segment is to be stored in the second memory layer in accordance with the error coding dispersal function; when the data segment is not to be stored in the second memory layer in accordance with the error coding dispersal function: retrieve the plurality of data slices from the first memory layer; convert the plurality of data slices into a reconstructed data segment; determine whether to store the reconstructed data segment in accordance with a second error coding dispersal function in the second memory layer; when the reconstructed data segment is to be stored in accordance with the second error coding dispersal function: perform the second error coding dispersal function on the reconstructed data segment to produce a second plurality of data slices; and send the second plurality of data slices to the second memory layer. retrieve the plurality of data slices from the first memory layer; convert the plurality of data slices into a reconstructed data segment; determine whether to store the reconstructed data segment in accordance with a second error coding dispersal function in the second memory layer; when the reconstructed data segment is to be stored in accordance with the second error coding dispersal function: perform the second error coding dispersal function on the reconstructed data segment to produce a second plurality of data slices; and send the second plurality of data slices to the second memory layer. perform the second error coding dispersal function on the reconstructed data segment to produce a second plurality of data slices; and send the second plurality of data slices to the second memory layer.