Patent ID: 8880940

Claim:
A method comprises: receiving a data retrieval request; determining a read threshold number of encoded data slices in response to the data retrieval request; sending read request messages regarding the read threshold number of encoded data slices to storage units of a dispersed storage network; entering a loop, wherein the loop includes: receiving encoded data slices of the read threshold number of encoded data slices within a time period to produce received encoded data slices; when a number of received encoded data slices compares unfavorably to a decode threshold number: determining an incremental number of encoded data slices based on the number of received encoded data slices and the decode threshold number; sending a read request message regarding the incremental number of encoded data slices to other storage units of the dispersed storage network; and repeating the loop; and when the number of received encoded data slices compares favorably to the decode threshold number of encoded data slices, exiting the loop; and dispersed storage error decoding the received encoded data slices to recapture a data segment of data.