U.S. patent application number 14/610220 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-08 for distributing registry information in a dispersed storage network.
This patent application is currently assigned to CLEVERSAFE, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is CLEVERSAFE, INC.. Invention is credited to Wesley Leggette.
Application Number | 20150288680 14/610220 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54210014 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150288680 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leggette; Wesley |
October 8, 2015 |
DISTRIBUTING REGISTRY INFORMATION IN A DISPERSED STORAGE
NETWORK
Abstract
A method begins by a processing module of a dispersed storage
network (DSN) generating a signed registry information packet,
dispersed storage error encoding the signed registry information
packet to produce a set of encoded registry information slices, and
generating a set of signed encoded registry information slice
packets for storage in storage units of the DSN. The method
continues with the processing module retrieving a decode threshold
number of signed encoded registry information slice packets. For
each of the decode threshold number of signed encoded registry
information slice packets, the method continues with the processing
module recovering an encoded registry information slice. The method
continues with the processing module dispersed storage error
decoding a decode threshold number of recovered encoded registry
information slices to reproduce the signed registry information
packet, validating the signed registry information packet, and
extracting registry information when the signed registry
information packet is valid.
Inventors: |
Leggette; Wesley; (Chicago,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CLEVERSAFE, INC. |
CHICAGO |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
CLEVERSAFE, INC.
CHICAGO
IL
|
Family ID: |
54210014 |
Appl. No.: |
14/610220 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61974142 |
Apr 2, 2014 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
726/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 63/101 20130101;
H04L 63/20 20130101; H04L 67/1097 20130101; G06F 2221/2141
20130101; G06F 21/6272 20130101; H04L 63/12 20130101; H04L 63/0823
20130101; G06F 21/6218 20130101; H04L 63/104 20130101; G06F 21/6254
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 29/06 20060101
H04L029/06; H04L 29/08 20060101 H04L029/08 |
Claims
1. A method for execution by one or more processing modules of one
or more computing devices of a dispersed storage network (DSN), the
method comprises: generating a signed registry information packet
that includes: registry information; a certificate authority (CA)
signed managing unit's certificate; a registry information
certificate; and a CA signature for the signed registry information
packet; dispersed storage error encoding the signed registry
information packet to produce a set of encoded registry information
slices; for an encoded registry information slice of the set of
encoded registry information slices, generating a signed encoded
registry information slice packet that includes: the encoded
registry information slice; the CA signed managing unit's
certificate; an encoded registry information slice certificate; and
a CA signature for the signed encoded registry information slice
packet; and outputting the signed encoded registry information
slice packet to a storage unit of the DSN.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the registry information
comprises one or more of: hardware configuration information,
software version information, software, software configuration
information, user group affiliation information, an access control
list, system namespace information, and vault information.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the CA signed managing unit's
certificate comprises: an identifier of the CA; an identifier of
the managing unit; and a public key of the CA.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the registry information
certificate comprises: an identifier of the managing unit; an
identifier of the registry information; and a public key of the
managing unit.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the encoded registry information
slice certificate comprises: an identifier of the managing unit; an
identifier of the encoded registry information slice; and a public
key of the managing unit.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprises: for each encoded
registry information slice of the set of encoded registry
information slices, generating a unique signed encoded registry
information slice packet to produce a set of signed encoded
registry information slice packets; and outputting the set of
signed encoded registry information slice packets to storage units
of the DSN, wherein the set of signed encoded registry information
slice packets includes the signed encoded registry information
slice packet and the storage units includes the storage unit.
7. A method for execution by one or more processing modules of one
or more computing devices of a dispersed storage network (DSN), the
method comprises: receiving a signed certificate authority (CA)
certificate; retrieving at least a decode threshold number of
signed encoded registry information slice packets of a set of
signed encoded registry information slice packets; for each of the
at least a decode threshold number of signed encoded registry
information slice packets, recovering an encoded registry
information slice by: validating a certificate authority (CA)
signed managing unit's certificate of a signed encoded registry
information slice packet based on the CA certificate to produce a
valid managing unit's certificate; and validating the signed
encoded registry information slice packet based on the valid
managing unit's certificate; dispersed storage error decoding at
least a decode threshold number of recovered encoded registry
information slices to produce a signed registry information packet;
validating the signed registry information packet based on the
valid managing unit's certificate by: validating a second CA signed
managing unit's certificate of the signed registry information
packet based on the CA certificate to produce a second valid
managing unit's certificate; and validating the signed registry
information packet based on the second valid managing unit's
certificate; and extracting registry information from the signed
registry information packet when the signed registry information
packet is valid.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the signed registry information
packet comprises: registry information; the second CA signed
managing unit's certificate; a registry information certificate;
and a CA signature for the signed registry information packet.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the registry information
comprises one or more of: hardware configuration information,
software version information, software, software configuration
information, user group affiliation information, an access control
list, system namespace information, and vault information.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the second CA signed managing
unit's certificate comprises: an identifier of the CA; an
identifier of the managing unit; and a public key of the CA.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the registry information
certificate comprises: an identifier of the managing unit; an
identifier of the registry information; and a public key of the
managing unit.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein the signed encoded registry
information slice packet comprises: the encoded registry
information slice; the CA signed managing unit's certificate; an
encoded registry information slice certificate; and a CA signature
for the signed encoded registry information slice packet.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the encoded registry
information slice certificate comprises: an identifier of the
managing unit; an identifier of the encoded registry information
slice; and a public key of the managing unit.
14. A computer readable storage medium comprises: at least one
memory section that stores operational instructions that, when
executed by one or more processing modules of one or more computing
devices of a dispersed storage network (DSN), causes the one or
more computing devices to: generate a signed registry information
packet that includes: registry information; a certificate authority
(CA) signed managing unit's certificate; a registry information
certificate; and a CA signature for the signed registry information
packet; dispersed storage error encode the signed registry
information packet to produce a set of encoded registry information
slices; for an encoded registry information slice of the set of
encoded registry information slices, generate a signed encoded
registry information slice packet that includes: the encoded
registry information slice; the CA signed managing unit's
certificate; an encoded registry information slice certificate; and
a CA signature for the signed encoded registry information slice
packet; and output the signed encoded registry information slice
packet to a storage unit of the DSN.
15. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the
registry information comprises one or more of: hardware
configuration information, software version information, software,
software configuration information, user group affiliation
information, an access control list, system namespace information,
and vault information.
16. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the
CA signed managing unit's certificate comprises: an identifier of
the CA; an identifier of the managing unit; and a public key of the
CA.
17. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the
registry information certificate comprises: an identifier of the
managing unit; an identifier of the registry information; and a
public key of the managing unit.
18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the
encoded registry information slice certificate comprises: an
identifier of the managing unit; an identifier of the encoded
registry information slice; and a public key of the managing
unit.
19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 14 further
comprises: the at least one memory section stores further
operational instructions that, when executed by the one or more
processing modules, causes the one or more computing devices of the
DSN to: for each encoded registry information slice of the set of
encoded registry information slices, generate a unique signed
encoded registry information slice packet to produce a set of
signed encoded registry information slice packets; and output the
set of signed encoded registry information slice packets to storage
units of the DSN, wherein the set of signed encoded registry
information slice packets includes the signed encoded registry
information slice packet and the storage units includes the storage
unit.
20. A computer readable storage medium comprises: at least one
memory section that stores operational instructions that, when
executed by one or more processing modules of one or more computing
devices of a dispersed storage network (DSN), causes the one or
more computing devices to: receive a signed certificate authority
(CA) certificate; retrieve at least a decode threshold number of
signed encoded registry information slice packets of a set of
signed encoded registry information slice packets; for each of the
at least a decode threshold number of signed encoded registry
information slice packets, recover an encoded registry information
slice by: validating a certificate authority (CA) signed managing
unit's certificate of a signed encoded registry information slice
packet based on the CA certificate to produce a valid managing
unit's certificate; and validating the signed encoded registry
information slice packet based on the valid managing unit's
certificate; dispersed storage error decode at least a decode
threshold number of recovered encoded registry information slices
to produce a signed registry information packet; validate the
signed registry information packet based on the valid managing
unit's certificate by: validating a second CA signed managing
unit's certificate of the signed registry information packet based
on the CA certificate to produce a second valid managing unit's
certificate; and validating the signed registry information packet
based on the second valid managing unit's certificate; and extract
registry information from the signed registry information packet
when the signed registry information packet is valid.
21. The computer readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein the
signed registry information packet comprises: registry information;
the second CA signed managing unit's certificate; a registry
information certificate; and a CA signature for the signed registry
information packet.
22. The computer readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein the
registry information comprises one or more of: hardware
configuration information, software version information, software,
software configuration information, user group affiliation
information, an access control list, system namespace information,
and vault information.
23. The computer readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein the
second CA signed managing unit's certificate comprises: an
identifier of the CA; an identifier of the managing unit; and a
public key of the CA.
24. The computer readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein the
registry information certificate comprises: an identifier of the
managing unit; an identifier of the registry information; and a
public key of the managing unit.
25. The computer readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein the
signed encoded registry information slice packet comprises: the
encoded registry information slice; the CA signed managing unit's
certificate; an encoded registry information slice certificate; and
a CA signature for the signed encoded registry information slice
packet.
26. The computer readable storage medium of claim 25, wherein the
encoded registry information slice certificate comprises: an
identifier of the managing unit; an identifier of the encoded
registry information slice; and a public key of the managing
unit.
27. A computing device of a group of computing devices of a
dispersed storage network (DSN), the computing device comprises: an
interface; a local memory; and a processing module operably coupled
to the interface and the local memory, wherein the processing
module functions to: generate a signed registry information packet
that includes: registry information; a certificate authority (CA)
signed managing unit's certificate; a registry information
certificate; and a CA signature for the signed registry information
packet; dispersed storage error encode the signed registry
information packet to produce a set of encoded registry information
slices; for an encoded registry information slice of the set of
encoded registry information slices, generate a signed encoded
registry information slice packet that includes: the encoded
registry information slice; the CA signed managing unit's
certificate; an encoded registry information slice certificate; and
a CA signature for the signed encoded registry information slice
packet; and output, via the interface, the signed encoded registry
information slice packet to a storage unit of the DSN.
28. The computing device of claim 27, wherein the registry
information comprises one or more of: hardware configuration
information, software version information, software, software
configuration information, user group affiliation information, an
access control list, system namespace information, and vault
information.
29. The computing device of claim 27, wherein the CA signed
managing unit's certificate comprises: an identifier of the CA; an
identifier of the managing unit; and a public key of the CA.
30. The computing device of claim 27, wherein the registry
information certificate comprises: an identifier of the managing
unit; an identifier of the registry information; and a public key
of the managing unit.
31. The computing device of claim 27, wherein the encoded registry
information slice certificate comprises: an identifier of the
managing unit; an identifier of the encoded registry information
slice; and a public key of the managing unit.
32. The computing device of claim 27, wherein the processing module
further functions to: for each encoded registry information slice
of the set of encoded registry information slices, generate a
unique signed encoded registry information slice packet to produce
a set of signed encoded registry information slice packets; and
output, via the interface, the set of signed encoded registry
information slice packets to storage units of the DSN, wherein the
set of signed encoded registry information slice packets includes
the signed encoded registry information slice packet and the
storage units includes the storage unit.
33. A computing device of a group of computing devices of a
dispersed storage network (DSN), the computing device comprises: an
interface; a local memory; and a processing module operably coupled
to the interface and the local memory, wherein the processing
module functions to: receive, via the interface, a signed
certificate authority (CA) certificate; retrieve, via the
interface, at least a decode threshold number of signed encoded
registry information slice packets of a set of signed encoded
registry information slice packets; for each of the at least a
decode threshold number of signed encoded registry information
slice packets, recover an encoded registry information slice by:
validating a certificate authority (CA) signed managing unit's
certificate of a signed encoded registry information slice packet
based on the CA certificate to produce a valid managing unit's
certificate; and validating the signed encoded registry information
slice packet based on the valid managing unit's certificate;
dispersed storage error decode at least a decode threshold number
of recovered encoded registry information slices to produce a
signed registry information packet; validate the signed registry
information packet based on the valid managing unit's certificate
by: validating a second CA signed managing unit's certificate of
the signed registry information packet based on the CA certificate
to produce a second valid managing unit's certificate; and
validating the signed registry information packet based on the
second valid managing unit's certificate; and extract registry
information from the signed registry information packet when the
signed registry information packet is valid.
34. The computing device of claim 33, wherein the signed registry
information packet comprises: registry information; the second CA
signed managing unit's certificate; a registry information
certificate; and a CA signature for the signed registry information
packet.
35. The computing device of claim 34, wherein the registry
information comprises one or more of: hardware configuration
information, software version information, software, software
configuration information, user group affiliation information, an
access control list, system namespace information, and vault
information.
36. The computing device of claim 34, wherein the second CA signed
managing unit's certificate comprises: an identifier of the CA; an
identifier of the managing unit; and a public key of the CA.
37. The computing device of claim 34, wherein the registry
information certificate comprises: an identifier of the managing
unit; an identifier of the registry information; and a public key
of the managing unit.
38. The computing device of claim 33, wherein the signed encoded
registry information slice packet comprises: the encoded registry
information slice; the CA signed managing unit's certificate; an
encoded registry information slice certificate; and a CA signature
for the signed encoded registry information slice packet.
39. The computing device of claim 38, wherein the encoded registry
information slice certificate comprises: an identifier of the
managing unit; an identifier of the encoded registry information
slice; and a public key of the managing unit.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS
[0001] The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority
pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application
No. 61/974,142, entitled "SCHEDULING REBUILDING OF STORED DATA IN A
DISPERSED STORAGE NETWORK", filed Apr. 2, 2014, 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 computer networks and
more particularly to dispersed storage of data and distributed task
processing of data.
[0006] 2. Description of Related Art
[0007] Computing devices are known to communicate data, process
data, and/or store data. Such computing devices range from wireless
smart phones, laptops, tablets, personal computers (PC), work
stations, and video game devices, to data centers that support
millions of web searches, stock trades, or on-line purchases every
day. In general, a computing device includes a central processing
unit (CPU), a memory system, user input/output interfaces,
peripheral device interfaces, and an interconnecting bus
structure.
[0008] As is further known, a computer may effectively extend its
CPU by using "cloud computing" to perform one or more computing
functions (e.g., a service, an application, an algorithm, an
arithmetic logic function, etc.) on behalf of the computer.
Further, for large services, applications, and/or functions, cloud
computing may be performed by multiple cloud computing resources in
a distributed manner to improve the response time for completion of
the service, application, and/or function. For example, Hadoop is
an open source software framework that supports distributed
applications enabling application execution by thousands of
computers.
[0009] In addition to cloud computing, a computer may use "cloud
storage" as part of its memory system. As is known, cloud storage
enables a user, via its computer, to store files, applications,
etc. on an Internet storage system. The Internet storage system may
include a RAID (redundant array of independent disks) system and/or
a dispersed storage system that uses an error correction scheme to
encode data for storage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
distributed computing system in accordance with the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
computing core in accordance with the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of a distributed storage
and task processing in accordance with the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an
outbound distributed storage and/or task (DST) processing in
accordance with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a logic diagram of an example of a method for
outbound DST processing in accordance with the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
dispersed error encoding in accordance with the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example of a segment processing of
the dispersed error encoding in accordance with the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a diagram of an example of error encoding and
slicing processing of the dispersed error encoding in accordance
with the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a diagram of an example of grouping selection
processing of the outbound DST processing in accordance with the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a diagram of an example of converting data into
slice groups in accordance with the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
DST execution unit in accordance with the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of an example of
operation of a DST execution unit in accordance with the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an
inbound distributed storage and/or task (DST) processing in
accordance with the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a logic diagram of an example of a method for
inbound DST processing in accordance with the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a diagram of an example of de-grouping selection
processing of the inbound DST processing in accordance with the
present invention;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
dispersed error decoding in accordance with the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 17 is a diagram of an example of de-slicing and error
decoding processing of the dispersed error decoding in accordance
with the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 18 is a diagram of an example of a de-segment
processing of the dispersed error decoding in accordance with the
present invention;
[0028] FIG. 19 is a diagram of an example of converting slice
groups into data in accordance with the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 20 is a diagram of an example of a distributed storage
within the distributed computing system in accordance with the
present invention;
[0030] FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of an example of
operation of outbound distributed storage and/or task (DST)
processing for storing data in accordance with the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a
dispersed error encoding for the example of FIG. 21 in accordance
with the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 23 is a diagram of an example of converting data into
pillar slice groups for storage in accordance with the present
invention;
[0033] FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a
storage operation of a DST execution unit in accordance with the
present invention;
[0034] FIG. 25 is a schematic block diagram of an example of
operation of inbound distributed storage and/or task (DST)
processing for retrieving dispersed error encoded data in
accordance with the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a
dispersed error decoding for the example of FIG. 25 in accordance
with the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 27 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a
distributed storage and task processing network (DSTN) module
storing a plurality of data and a plurality of task codes in
accordance with the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 28 is a schematic block diagram of an example of the
distributed computing system performing tasks on stored data in
accordance with the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 29 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
task distribution module facilitating the example of FIG. 28 in
accordance with the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 30 is a diagram of a specific example of the
distributed computing system performing tasks on stored data in
accordance with the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 31 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a
distributed storage and task processing network (DSTN) module
storing data and task codes for the example of FIG. 30 in
accordance with the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 32 is a diagram of an example of DST allocation
information for the example of FIG. 30 in accordance with the
present invention;
[0042] FIGS. 33-38 are schematic block diagrams of the DSTN module
performing the example of FIG. 30 in accordance with the present
invention;
[0043] FIG. 39 is a diagram of an example of combining result
information into final results for the example of FIG. 30 in
accordance with the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 40A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
dispersed storage network in accordance with the present
invention;
[0045] FIG. 40B is a flowchart illustrating an example of
establishing a schedule for a rebuilding cycle in accordance with
the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 41A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a dispersed storage network in accordance with the present
invention;
[0047] FIG. 41B is a flowchart illustrating an example of adjusting
data storage efficiency in accordance with the present
invention;
[0048] FIG. 42A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
segment security processing in accordance with the present
invention;
[0049] FIG. 42B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a computing core in accordance with the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 42C is a schematic block diagram of a counter module in
accordance with the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 42D is a flowchart illustrating an example of securing
data in accordance with the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 43A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a dispersed storage network in accordance with the present
invention;
[0053] FIG. 43B is a flowchart illustrating an example of
identifying stored slices in accordance with the present
invention;
[0054] FIG. 44A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a dispersed storage network in accordance with the present
invention;
[0055] FIG. 44B is a flowchart illustrating an example of
distributing registry information in accordance with the present
invention;
[0056] FIG. 45A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a dispersed storage network in accordance with the present
invention;
[0057] FIG. 45B is a flowchart illustrating an example of accessing
registry information in accordance with the present invention;
[0058] FIG. 46A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a dispersed storage network in accordance with the present
invention;
[0059] FIG. 46B is a diagram illustrating an example of a
certificate authority certificate in accordance with the present
invention;
[0060] FIG. 46C is a diagram illustrating an example of a signed
registry information packet in accordance with the president
mission;
[0061] FIG. 46D is a diagram illustrating an example of a signed
registry information slice in accordance with the present
invention;
[0062] FIG. 46E is a flowchart illustrating an example of
distributing registry information in accordance with the present
invention;
[0063] FIGS. 47A-B are schematic block diagrams of another
embodiment of a dispersed storage network in accordance with the
present invention;
[0064] FIG. 47C is a flowchart illustrating an example of
controlling access in accordance with the present invention;
[0065] FIG. 48A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a dispersed storage network in accordance with the present
invention; and
[0066] FIG. 48B is a flowchart illustrating an example of
configuring a new entity of a dispersed storage network (DSN) in
accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0067] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
distributed computing system 10 that includes a user device 12
and/or a user device 14, a distributed storage and/or task (DST)
processing unit 16, a distributed storage and/or task network
(DSTN) managing unit 18, a DST integrity processing unit 20, and a
distributed storage and/or task network (DSTN) module 22. The
components of the distributed computing system 10 are coupled via a
network 24, which 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).
[0068] The DSTN module 22 includes a plurality of distributed
storage and/or task (DST) execution units 36 that may be located at
geographically different sites (e.g., one in Chicago, one in
Milwaukee, etc.). Each of the DST execution units is operable to
store dispersed error encoded data and/or to execute, in a
distributed manner, one or more tasks on data. The tasks may be a
simple function (e.g., a mathematical function, a logic function,
an identify function, a find function, a search engine function, a
replace function, etc.), a complex function (e.g., compression,
human and/or computer language translation, text-to-voice
conversion, voice-to-text conversion, etc.), multiple simple and/or
complex functions, one or more algorithms, one or more
applications, etc.
[0069] Each of the user devices 12-14, the DST processing unit 16,
the DSTN managing unit 18, and the DST integrity processing unit 20
include a computing core 26 and may be a portable computing device
and/or a fixed computing device. A portable computing device may be
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
tablet, a video game controller, and/or any other portable device
that includes a computing core. A fixed computing device may be a
personal computer (PC), 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. User device 12 and DST
processing unit 16 are configured to include a DST client module
34.
[0070] With respect to interfaces, each interface 30, 32, and 33
includes software and/or hardware to support one or more
communication links via the network 24 indirectly and/or directly.
For example, interfaces 30 support a communication link (e.g.,
wired, wireless, direct, via a LAN, via the network 24, etc.)
between user device 14 and the DST processing unit 16. As another
example, interface 32 supports communication links (e.g., a wired
connection, a wireless connection, a LAN connection, and/or any
other type of connection to/from the network 24) between user
device 12 and the DSTN module 22 and between the DST processing
unit 16 and the DSTN module 22. As yet another example, interface
33 supports a communication link for each of the DSTN managing unit
18 and DST integrity processing unit 20 to the network 24.
[0071] The distributed computing system 10 is operable to support
dispersed storage (DS) error encoded data storage and retrieval, to
support distributed task processing on received data, and/or to
support distributed task processing on stored data. In general and
with respect to DS error encoded data storage and retrieval, the
distributed computing system 10 supports three primary operations:
storage management, data storage and retrieval (an example of which
will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 20-26), and data storage
integrity verification. In accordance with these three primary
functions, data can be encoded, distributedly stored in physically
different locations, and subsequently retrieved in a reliable and
secure manner. Such a system is tolerant of a significant number of
failures (e.g., up to a failure level, which may be greater than or
equal to a pillar width minus a decode threshold minus one) that
may result from individual storage device failures and/or network
equipment failures without loss of data and without the need for a
redundant or backup copy. Further, the system allows the data to be
stored for an indefinite period of time without data loss and does
so in a secure manner (e.g., the system is very resistant to
attempts at hacking the data).
[0072] 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 data 40 to store
in the DSTN module 22, it sends the data 40 to the DST processing
unit 16 via its interface 30. 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
40.
[0073] To support storage management, the DSTN managing unit 18
performs DS management services. One such DS management service
includes the DSTN managing unit 18 establishing distributed data
storage parameters (e.g., vault creation, distributed storage
parameters, security parameters, billing information, user profile
information, etc.) for a user device 12-14 individually or as part
of a group of user devices. For example, the DSTN managing unit 18
coordinates creation of a vault (e.g., a virtual memory block)
within memory of the DSTN module 22 for a user device, a group of
devices, or for public access and establishes per vault dispersed
storage (DS) error encoding parameters for a vault. The DSTN
managing unit 18 may facilitate storage of DS error encoding
parameters for each vault of a plurality of vaults by updating
registry information for the distributed computing system 10. The
facilitating includes storing updated registry information in one
or more of the DSTN module 22, the user device 12, the DST
processing unit 16, and the DST integrity processing unit 20.
[0074] The DS error encoding parameters (e.g., or dispersed storage
error coding parameters) include data segmenting information (e.g.,
how many segments data (e.g., a file, a group of files, a data
block, etc.) is divided into), segment security information (e.g.,
per segment encryption, compression, integrity checksum, etc.),
error coding information (e.g., pillar width, decode threshold,
read threshold, write threshold, etc.), slicing information (e.g.,
the number of encoded data slices that will be created for each
data segment); and slice security information (e.g., per encoded
data slice encryption, compression, integrity checksum, etc.).
[0075] The DSTN managing unit 18 creates and stores user profile
information (e.g., an access control list (ACL)) in local memory
and/or within memory of the DSTN module 22. The user profile
information includes authentication information, permissions,
and/or the security parameters. The security parameters may include
encryption/decryption scheme, one or more encryption keys, key
generation scheme, and/or data encoding/decoding scheme.
[0076] The DSTN managing unit 18 creates billing information for a
particular user, a user group, a vault access, public vault access,
etc. For instance, the DSTN managing unit 18 tracks the number of
times a user accesses a private vault and/or public vaults, which
can be used to generate a per-access billing information. In
another instance, the DSTN 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 billing
information.
[0077] Another DS management service includes the DSTN managing
unit 18 performing network operations, network administration,
and/or network maintenance. Network operations includes
authenticating user data allocation requests (e.g., read and/or
write requests), managing creation of vaults, establishing
authentication credentials for user devices, adding/deleting
components (e.g., user devices, DST execution units, and/or DST
processing units) from the distributed computing system 10, and/or
establishing authentication credentials for DST execution units 36.
Network administration includes monitoring devices and/or units for
failures, maintaining vault information, determining device and/or
unit activation status, determining device and/or unit loading,
and/or determining any other system level operation that affects
the performance level of the system 10. Network maintenance
includes facilitating replacing, upgrading, repairing, and/or
expanding a device and/or unit of the system 10.
[0078] To support data storage integrity verification within the
distributed computing system 10, the DST integrity processing unit
20 performs rebuilding of `bad` or missing encoded data slices. At
a high level, the DST integrity processing unit 20 performs
rebuilding by periodically attempting to retrieve/list encoded data
slices, and/or slice names of the encoded data slices, from the
DSTN module 22. For retrieved encoded slices, they are checked for
errors due to data corruption, outdated version, etc. If a slice
includes an error, it is flagged as a `bad` slice. For encoded data
slices that were not received and/or not listed, they are flagged
as missing slices. Bad and/or missing slices are subsequently
rebuilt using other retrieved encoded data slices that are deemed
to be good slices to produce rebuilt slices. The rebuilt slices are
stored in memory of the DSTN module 22. Note that the DST integrity
processing unit 20 may be a separate unit as shown, it may be
included in the DSTN module 22, it may be included in the DST
processing unit 16, and/or distributed among the DST execution
units 36.
[0079] To support distributed task processing on received data, the
distributed computing system 10 has two primary operations: DST
(distributed storage and/or task processing) management and DST
execution on received data (an example of which will be discussed
with reference to FIGS. 3-19). With respect to the storage portion
of the DST management, the DSTN managing unit 18 functions as
previously described. With respect to the tasking processing of the
DST management, the DSTN managing unit 18 performs distributed task
processing (DTP) management services. One such DTP management
service includes the DSTN managing unit 18 establishing DTP
parameters (e.g., user-vault affiliation information, billing
information, user-task information, etc.) for a user device 12-14
individually or as part of a group of user devices.
[0080] Another DTP management service includes the DSTN managing
unit 18 performing DTP network operations, network administration
(which is essentially the same as described above), and/or network
maintenance (which is essentially the same as described above).
Network operations include, but are not limited to, authenticating
user task processing requests (e.g., valid request, valid user,
etc.), authenticating results and/or partial results, establishing
DTP authentication credentials for user devices, adding/deleting
components (e.g., user devices, DST execution units, and/or DST
processing units) from the distributed computing system, and/or
establishing DTP authentication credentials for DST execution
units.
[0081] To support distributed task processing on stored data, the
distributed computing system 10 has two primary operations: DST
(distributed storage and/or task) management and DST execution on
stored data. With respect to the DST execution on stored data, if
the second type of user device 14 has a task request 38 for
execution by the DSTN module 22, it sends the task request 38 to
the DST processing unit 16 via its interface 30. An example of DST
execution on stored data will be discussed in greater detail with
reference to FIGS. 27-39. With respect to the DST management, it is
substantially similar to the DST management to support distributed
task processing on received data.
[0082] 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 (TO) controller 56, a peripheral component
interconnect (PCI) interface 58, an IO interface module 60, 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 one or more 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 DSTN interface module 76.
[0083] The DSTN interface module 76 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.). The DSTN 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.
[0084] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of the distributed
computing system performing a distributed storage and task
processing operation. The distributed computing system includes a
DST (distributed storage and/or task) client module 34 (which may
be in user device 14 and/or in DST processing unit 16 of FIG. 1), a
network 24, a plurality of DST execution units 1-n that includes
two or more DST execution units 36 of FIG. 1 (which form at least a
portion of DSTN module 22 of FIG. 1), a DST managing module (not
shown), and a DST integrity verification module (not shown). The
DST client module 34 includes an outbound DST processing section 80
and an inbound DST processing section 82. Each of the DST execution
units 1-n includes a controller 86, a processing module 84, memory
88, a DT (distributed task) execution module 90, and a DST client
module 34.
[0085] In an example of operation, the DST client module 34
receives data 92 and one or more tasks 94 to be performed upon the
data 92. The data 92 may be of any size and of any content, where,
due to the size (e.g., greater than a few Terabytes), the content
(e.g., secure data, etc.), and/or task(s) (e.g., MIPS intensive),
distributed processing of the task(s) on the data is desired. For
example, the data 92 may be one or more digital books, a copy of a
company's emails, a large-scale Internet search, a video security
file, one or more entertainment video files (e.g., television
programs, movies, etc.), data files, and/or any other large amount
of data (e.g., greater than a few Terabytes).
[0086] Within the DST client module 34, the outbound DST processing
section 80 receives the data 92 and the task(s) 94. The outbound
DST processing section 80 processes the data 92 to produce slice
groupings 96. As an example of such processing, the outbound DST
processing section 80 partitions the data 92 into a plurality of
data partitions. For each data partition, the outbound DST
processing section 80 dispersed storage (DS) error encodes the data
partition to produce encoded data slices and groups the encoded
data slices into a slice grouping 96. In addition, the outbound DST
processing section 80 partitions the task 94 into partial tasks 98,
where the number of partial tasks 98 may correspond to the number
of slice groupings 96.
[0087] The outbound DST processing section 80 then sends, via the
network 24, the slice groupings 96 and the partial tasks 98 to the
DST execution units 1-n of the DSTN module 22 of FIG. 1. For
example, the outbound DST processing section 80 sends slice group 1
and partial task 1 to DST execution unit 1. As another example, the
outbound DST processing section 80 sends slice group #n and partial
task #n to DST execution unit #n.
[0088] Each DST execution unit performs its partial task 98 upon
its slice group 96 to produce partial results 102. For example, DST
execution unit #1 performs partial task #1 on slice group #1 to
produce a partial result #1, for results. As a more specific
example, slice group #1 corresponds to a data partition of a series
of digital books and the partial task #1 corresponds to searching
for specific phrases, recording where the phrase is found, and
establishing a phrase count. In this more specific example, the
partial result #1 includes information as to where the phrase was
found and includes the phrase count.
[0089] Upon completion of generating their respective partial
results 102, the DST execution units send, via the network 24,
their partial results 102 to the inbound DST processing section 82
of the DST client module 34. The inbound DST processing section 82
processes the received partial results 102 to produce a result 104.
Continuing with the specific example of the preceding paragraph,
the inbound DST processing section 82 combines the phrase count
from each of the DST execution units 36 to produce a total phrase
count. In addition, the inbound DST processing section 82 combines
the `where the phrase was found` information from each of the DST
execution units 36 within their respective data partitions to
produce `where the phrase was found` information for the series of
digital books.
[0090] In another example of operation, the DST client module 34
requests retrieval of stored data within the memory of the DST
execution units 36 (e.g., memory of the DSTN module). In this
example, the task 94 is retrieve data stored in the memory of the
DSTN module. Accordingly, the outbound DST processing section 80
converts the task 94 into a plurality of partial tasks 98 and sends
the partial tasks 98 to the respective DST execution units 1-n.
[0091] In response to the partial task 98 of retrieving stored
data, a DST execution unit 36 identifies the corresponding encoded
data slices 100 and retrieves them. For example, DST execution unit
#1 receives partial task #1 and retrieves, in response thereto,
retrieved slices #1. The DST execution units 36 send their
respective retrieved slices 100 to the inbound DST processing
section 82 via the network 24.
[0092] The inbound DST processing section 82 converts the retrieved
slices 100 into data 92. For example, the inbound DST processing
section 82 de-groups the retrieved slices 100 to produce encoded
slices per data partition. The inbound DST processing section 82
then DS error decodes the encoded slices per data partition to
produce data partitions. The inbound DST processing section 82
de-partitions the data partitions to recapture the data 92.
[0093] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an
outbound distributed storage and/or task (DST) processing section
80 of a DST client module 34 FIG. 1 coupled to a DSTN module 22 of
a FIG. 1 (e.g., a plurality of n DST execution units 36) via a
network 24. The outbound DST processing section 80 includes a data
partitioning module 110, a dispersed storage (DS) error encoding
module 112, a grouping selector module 114, a control module 116,
and a distributed task control module 118.
[0094] In an example of operation, the data partitioning module 110
partitions data 92 into a plurality of data partitions 120. The
number of partitions and the size of the partitions may be selected
by the control module 116 via control 160 based on the data 92
(e.g., its size, its content, etc.), a corresponding task 94 to be
performed (e.g., simple, complex, single step, multiple steps,
etc.), DS encoding parameters (e.g., pillar width, decode
threshold, write threshold, segment security parameters, slice
security parameters, etc.), capabilities of the DST execution units
36 (e.g., processing resources, availability of processing
recourses, etc.), and/or as may be inputted by a user, system
administrator, or other operator (human or automated). For example,
the data partitioning module 110 partitions the data 92 (e.g., 100
Terabytes) into
[0095] 100,000 data segments, each being 1 Gigabyte in size.
Alternatively, the data partitioning module 110 partitions the data
92 into a plurality of data segments, where some of data segments
are of a different size, are of the same size, or a combination
thereof.
[0096] The DS error encoding module 112 receives the data
partitions 120 in a serial manner, a parallel manner, and/or a
combination thereof. For each data partition 120, the DS error
encoding module 112 DS error encodes the data partition 120 in
accordance with control information 160 from the control module 116
to produce encoded data slices 122. The DS error encoding includes
segmenting the data partition into data segments, segment security
processing (e.g., encryption, compression, watermarking, integrity
check (e.g., CRC), etc.), error encoding, slicing, and/or per slice
security processing (e.g., encryption, compression, watermarking,
integrity check (e.g., CRC), etc.). The control information 160
indicates which steps of the DS error encoding are active for a
given data partition and, for active steps, indicates the
parameters for the step. For example, the control information 160
indicates that the error encoding is active and includes error
encoding parameters (e.g., pillar width, decode threshold, write
threshold, read threshold, type of error encoding, etc.).
[0097] The grouping selector module 114 groups the encoded slices
122 of a data partition into a set of slice groupings 96. The
number of slice groupings corresponds to the number of DST
execution units 36 identified for a particular task 94. For
example, if five DST execution units 36 are identified for the
particular task 94, the group selecting module groups the encoded
slices 122 of a data partition into five slice groupings 96. The
grouping selector module 114 outputs the slice groupings 96 to the
corresponding DST execution units 36 via the network 24.
[0098] The distributed task control module 118 receives the task 94
and converts the task 94 into a set of partial tasks 98. For
example, the distributed task control module 118 receives a task to
find where in the data (e.g., a series of books) a phrase occurs
and a total count of the phrase usage in the data. In this example,
the distributed task control module 118 replicates the task 94 for
each DST execution unit 36 to produce the partial tasks 98. In
another example, the distributed task control module 118 receives a
task to find where in the data a first phrase occurs, where in the
data a second phrase occurs, and a total count for each phrase
usage in the data. In this example, the distributed task control
module 118 generates a first set of partial tasks 98 for finding
and counting the first phase and a second set of partial tasks for
finding and counting the second phrase. The distributed task
control module 118 sends respective first and/or second partial
tasks 98 to each DST execution unit 36.
[0099] FIG. 5 is a logic diagram of an example of a method for
outbound distributed storage and task (DST) processing that begins
at step 126 where a DST client module receives data and one or more
corresponding tasks. The method continues at step 128 where the DST
client module determines a number of DST units to support the task
for one or more data partitions. For example, the DST client module
may determine the number of DST units to support the task based on
the size of the data, the requested task, the content of the data,
a predetermined number (e.g., user indicated, system administrator
determined, etc.), available DST units, capability of the DST
units, and/or any other factor regarding distributed task
processing of the data. The DST client module may select the same
DST units for each data partition, may select different DST units
for the data partitions, or a combination thereof.
[0100] The method continues at step 130 where the DST client module
determines processing parameters of the data based on the number of
DST units selected for distributed task processing. The processing
parameters include data partitioning information, DS encoding
parameters, and/or slice grouping information. The data
partitioning information includes a number of data partitions, size
of each data partition, and/or organization of the data partitions
(e.g., number of data blocks in a partition, the size of the data
blocks, and arrangement of the data blocks). The DS encoding
parameters include segmenting information, segment security
information, error encoding information (e.g., dispersed storage
error encoding function parameters including one or more of pillar
width, decode threshold, write threshold, read threshold, generator
matrix), slicing information, and/or per slice security
information. The slice grouping information includes information
regarding how to arrange the encoded data slices into groups for
the selected DST units. As a specific example, if the DST client
module determines that five DST units are needed to support the
task, then it determines that the error encoding parameters include
a pillar width of five and a decode threshold of three.
[0101] The method continues at step 132 where the DST client module
determines task partitioning information (e.g., how to partition
the tasks) based on the selected DST units and data processing
parameters. The data processing parameters include the processing
parameters and DST unit capability information. The DST unit
capability information includes the number of DT (distributed task)
execution units, execution capabilities of each DT execution unit
(e.g., MIPS capabilities, processing resources (e.g., quantity and
capability of microprocessors, CPUs, digital signal processors,
co-processor, microcontrollers, arithmetic logic circuitry, and/or
and the other analog and/or digital processing circuitry),
availability of the processing resources, memory information (e.g.,
type, size, availability, etc.)), and/or any information germane to
executing one or more tasks.
[0102] The method continues at step 134 where the DST client module
processes the data in accordance with the processing parameters to
produce slice groupings. The method continues at step 136 where the
DST client module partitions the task based on the task
partitioning information to produce a set of partial tasks. The
method continues at step 138 where the DST client module sends the
slice groupings and the corresponding partial tasks to respective
DST units.
[0103] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the
dispersed storage (DS) error encoding module 112 of an outbound
distributed storage and task (DST) processing section. The DS error
encoding module 112 includes a segment processing module 142, a
segment security processing module 144, an error encoding module
146, a slicing module 148, and a per slice security processing
module 150. Each of these modules is coupled to a control module
116 to receive control information 160 therefrom.
[0104] In an example of operation, the segment processing module
142 receives a data partition 120 from a data partitioning module
and receives segmenting information as the control information 160
from the control module 116. The segmenting information indicates
how the segment processing module 142 is to segment the data
partition 120. For example, the segmenting information indicates
how many rows to segment the data based on a decode threshold of an
error encoding scheme, indicates how many columns to segment the
data into based on a number and size of data blocks within the data
partition 120, and indicates how many columns to include in a data
segment 152. The segment processing module 142 segments the data
120 into data segments 152 in accordance with the segmenting
information.
[0105] The segment security processing module 144, when enabled by
the control module 116, secures the data segments 152 based on
segment security information received as control information 160
from the control module 116. The segment security information
includes data compression, encryption, watermarking, integrity
check (e.g., cyclic redundancy check (CRC), etc.), and/or any other
type of digital security. For example, when the segment security
processing module 144 is enabled, it may compress a data segment
152, encrypt the compressed data segment, and generate a CRC value
for the encrypted data segment to produce a secure data segment
154. When the segment security processing module 144 is not
enabled, it passes the data segments 152 to the error encoding
module 146 or is bypassed such that the data segments 152 are
provided to the error encoding module 146.
[0106] The error encoding module 146 encodes the secure data
segments 154 in accordance with error correction encoding
parameters received as control information 160 from the control
module 116. The error correction encoding parameters (e.g., also
referred to as dispersed storage error coding parameters) include
identifying an error correction encoding scheme (e.g., forward
error correction algorithm, a Reed-Solomon based algorithm, an
online coding algorithm, an information dispersal algorithm, etc.),
a pillar width, a decode threshold, a read threshold, a write
threshold, etc. For example, the error correction encoding
parameters identify a specific error correction encoding scheme,
specifies a pillar width of five, and specifies a decode threshold
of three. From these parameters, the error encoding module 146
encodes a data segment 154 to produce an encoded data segment
156.
[0107] The slicing module 148 slices the encoded data segment 156
in accordance with the pillar width of the error correction
encoding parameters received as control information 160. For
example, if the pillar width is five, the slicing module 148 slices
an encoded data segment 156 into a set of five encoded data slices.
As such, for a plurality of encoded data segments 156 for a given
data partition, the slicing module outputs a plurality of sets of
encoded data slices 158.
[0108] The per slice security processing module 150, when enabled
by the control module 116, secures each encoded data slice 158
based on slice security information received as control information
160 from the control module 116. The slice security information
includes data compression, encryption, watermarking, integrity
check (e.g., CRC, etc.), and/or any other type of digital security.
For example, when the per slice security processing module 150 is
enabled, it compresses an encoded data slice 158, encrypts the
compressed encoded data slice, and generates a CRC value for the
encrypted encoded data slice to produce a secure encoded data slice
122. When the per slice security processing module 150 is not
enabled, it passes the encoded data slices 158 or is bypassed such
that the encoded data slices 158 are the output of the DS error
encoding module 112. Note that the control module 116 may be
omitted and each module stores its own parameters.
[0109] FIG. 7 is a diagram of an example of a segment processing of
a dispersed storage (DS) error encoding module. In this example, a
segment processing module 142 receives a data partition 120 that
includes 45 data blocks (e.g., d1-d45), receives segmenting
information (i.e., control information 160) from a control module,
and segments the data partition 120 in accordance with the control
information 160 to produce data segments 152. Each data block may
be of the same size as other data blocks or of a different size. In
addition, the size of each data block may be a few bytes to
megabytes of data. As previously mentioned, the segmenting
information indicates how many rows to segment the data partition
into, indicates how many columns to segment the data partition
into, and indicates how many columns to include in a data
segment.
[0110] In this example, the decode threshold of the error encoding
scheme is three; as such the number of rows to divide the data
partition into is three. The number of columns for each row is set
to 15, which is based on the number and size of data blocks. The
data blocks of the data partition are arranged in rows and columns
in a sequential order (i.e., the first row includes the first 15
data blocks; the second row includes the second 15 data blocks; and
the third row includes the last 15 data blocks).
[0111] With the data blocks arranged into the desired sequential
order, they are divided into data segments based on the segmenting
information. In this example, the data partition is divided into 8
data segments; the first 7 include 2 columns of three rows and the
last includes 1 column of three rows. Note that the first row of
the 8 data segments is in sequential order of the first 15 data
blocks; the second row of the 8 data segments in sequential order
of the second 15 data blocks; and the third row of the 8 data
segments in sequential order of the last 15 data blocks. Note that
the number of data blocks, the grouping of the data blocks into
segments, and size of the data blocks may vary to accommodate the
desired distributed task processing function.
[0112] FIG. 8 is a diagram of an example of error encoding and
slicing processing of the dispersed error encoding processing the
data segments of FIG. 7. In this example, data segment 1 includes 3
rows with each row being treated as one word for encoding. As such,
data segment 1 includes three words for encoding: word 1 including
data blocks d1 and d2, word 2 including data blocks d16 and d17,
and word 3 including data blocks d31 and d32. Each of data segments
2-7 includes three words where each word includes two data blocks.
Data segment 8 includes three words where each word includes a
single data block (e.g., d15, d30, and d45).
[0113] In operation, an error encoding module 146 and a slicing
module 148 convert each data segment into a set of encoded data
slices in accordance with error correction encoding parameters as
control information 160. More specifically, when the error
correction encoding parameters indicate a unity matrix Reed-Solomon
based encoding algorithm, 5 pillars, and decode threshold of 3, the
first three encoded data slices of the set of encoded data slices
for a data segment are substantially similar to the corresponding
word of the data segment. For instance, when the unity matrix
Reed-Solomon based encoding algorithm is applied to data segment 1,
the content of the first encoded data slice (DS1.sub.--d1&2) of
the first set of encoded data slices (e.g., corresponding to data
segment 1) is substantially similar to content of the first word
(e.g., d1 & d2); the content of the second encoded data slice
(DS1.sub.--d16&17) of the first set of encoded data slices is
substantially similar to content of the second word (e.g., d16
& d17); and the content of the third encoded data slice
(DS1.sub.--d31&32) of the first set of encoded data slices is
substantially similar to content of the third word (e.g., d31 &
d32).
[0114] The content of the fourth and fifth encoded data slices
(e.g., ES1_1 and ES1_2) of the first set of encoded data slices
include error correction data based on the first-third words of the
first data segment. With such an encoding and slicing scheme,
retrieving any three of the five encoded data slices allows the
data segment to be accurately reconstructed.
[0115] The encoding and slices of data segments 2-7 yield sets of
encoded data slices similar to the set of encoded data slices of
data segment 1. For instance, the content of the first encoded data
slice (DS2.sub.--d3&4) of the second set of encoded data slices
(e.g., corresponding to data segment 2) is substantially similar to
content of the first word (e.g., d3 & d4); the content of the
second encoded data slice (DS2.sub.--d18&19) of the second set
of encoded data slices is substantially similar to content of the
second word (e.g., d18 & d19); and the content of the third
encoded data slice (DS2.sub.--d33&34) of the second set of
encoded data slices is substantially similar to content of the
third word (e.g., d33 & d34). The content of the fourth and
fifth encoded data slices (e.g., ES1_1 and ES1_2) of the second set
of encoded data slices includes error correction data based on the
first-third words of the second data segment.
[0116] FIG. 9 is a diagram of an example of grouping selection
processing of an outbound distributed storage and task (DST)
processing in accordance with group selection information as
control information 160 from a control module. Encoded slices for
data partition 122 are grouped in accordance with the control
information 160 to produce slice groupings 96. In this example, a
grouping selection module 114 organizes the encoded data slices
into five slice groupings (e.g., one for each DST execution unit of
a distributed storage and task network (DSTN) module). As a
specific example, the grouping selection module 114 creates a first
slice grouping for a DST execution unit #1, which includes first
encoded slices of each of the sets of encoded slices. As such, the
first DST execution unit receives encoded data slices corresponding
to data blocks 1-15 (e.g., encoded data slices of contiguous
data).
[0117] The grouping selection module 114 also creates a second
slice grouping for a DST execution unit #2, which includes second
encoded slices of each of the sets of encoded slices. As such, the
second DST execution unit receives encoded data slices
corresponding to data blocks 16-30. The grouping selection module
114 further creates a third slice grouping for DST execution unit
#3, which includes third encoded slices of each of the sets of
encoded slices. As such, the third DST execution unit receives
encoded data slices corresponding to data blocks 31-45.
[0118] The grouping selection module 114 creates a fourth slice
grouping for DST execution unit #4, which includes fourth encoded
slices of each of the sets of encoded slices. As such, the fourth
DST execution unit receives encoded data slices corresponding to
first error encoding information (e.g., encoded data slices of
error coding (EC) data). The grouping selection module 114 further
creates a fifth slice grouping for DST execution unit #5, which
includes fifth encoded slices of each of the sets of encoded
slices. As such, the fifth DST execution unit receives encoded data
slices corresponding to second error encoding information.
[0119] FIG. 10 is a diagram of an example of converting data 92
into slice groups that expands on the preceding figures. As shown,
the data 92 is partitioned in accordance with a partitioning
function 164 into a plurality of data partitions (1-x, where x is
an integer greater than 4). Each data partition (or chunkset of
data) is encoded and grouped into slice groupings as previously
discussed by an encoding and grouping function 166. For a given
data partition, the slice groupings are sent to distributed storage
and task (DST) execution units. From data partition to data
partition, the ordering of the slice groupings to the DST execution
units may vary.
[0120] For example, the slice groupings of data partition #1 is
sent to the DST execution units such that the first DST execution
receives first encoded data slices of each of the sets of encoded
data slices, which corresponds to a first continuous data chunk of
the first data partition (e.g., refer to FIG. 9), a second DST
execution receives second encoded data slices of each of the sets
of encoded data slices, which corresponds to a second continuous
data chunk of the first data partition, etc.
[0121] For the second data partition, the slice groupings may be
sent to the DST execution units in a different order than it was
done for the first data partition. For instance, the first slice
grouping of the second data partition (e.g., slice group 2_1) is
sent to the second DST execution unit; the second slice grouping of
the second data partition (e.g., slice group 2_2) is sent to the
third DST execution unit; the third slice grouping of the second
data partition (e.g., slice group 2_3) is sent to the fourth DST
execution unit; the fourth slice grouping of the second data
partition (e.g., slice group 2_4, which includes first error coding
information) is sent to the fifth DST execution unit; and the fifth
slice grouping of the second data partition (e.g., slice group 2_5,
which includes second error coding information) is sent to the
first DST execution unit.
[0122] The pattern of sending the slice groupings to the set of DST
execution units may vary in a predicted pattern, a random pattern,
and/or a combination thereof from data partition to data partition.
In addition, from data partition to data partition, the set of DST
execution units may change. For example, for the first data
partition, DST execution units 1-5 may be used; for the second data
partition, DST execution units 6-10 may be used; for the third data
partition, DST execution units 3-7 may be used; etc. As is also
shown, the task is divided into partial tasks that are sent to the
DST execution units in conjunction with the slice groupings of the
data partitions.
[0123] FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
DST (distributed storage and/or task) execution unit that includes
an interface 169, a controller 86, memory 88, one or more DT
(distributed task) execution modules 90, and a DST client module
34. The memory 88 is of sufficient size to store a significant
number of encoded data slices (e.g., thousands of slices to
hundreds-of-millions of slices) and may include one or more hard
drives and/or one or more solid-state memory devices (e.g., flash
memory, DRAM, etc.).
[0124] In an example of storing a slice group, the DST execution
module receives a slice grouping 96 (e.g., slice group #1) via
interface 169. The slice grouping 96 includes, per partition,
encoded data slices of contiguous data or encoded data slices of
error coding (EC) data. For slice group #1, the DST execution
module receives encoded data slices of contiguous data for
partitions #1 and #x (and potentially others between 3 and x) and
receives encoded data slices of EC data for partitions #2 and #3
(and potentially others between 3 and x). Examples of encoded data
slices of contiguous data and encoded data slices of error coding
(EC) data are discussed with reference to FIG. 9. The memory 88
stores the encoded data slices of slice groupings 96 in accordance
with memory control information 174 it receives from the controller
86.
[0125] The controller 86 (e.g., a processing module, a CPU, etc.)
generates the memory control information 174 based on a partial
task(s) 98 and distributed computing information (e.g., user
information (e.g., user ID, distributed computing permissions, data
access permission, etc.), vault information (e.g., virtual memory
assigned to user, user group, temporary storage for task
processing, etc.), task validation information, etc.). For example,
the controller 86 interprets the partial task(s) 98 in light of the
distributed computing information to determine whether a requestor
is authorized to perform the task 98, is authorized to access the
data, and/or is authorized to perform the task on this particular
data. When the requestor is authorized, the controller 86
determines, based on the task 98 and/or another input, whether the
encoded data slices of the slice grouping 96 are to be temporarily
stored or permanently stored. Based on the foregoing, the
controller 86 generates the memory control information 174 to write
the encoded data slices of the slice grouping 96 into the memory 88
and to indicate whether the slice grouping 96 is permanently stored
or temporarily stored.
[0126] With the slice grouping 96 stored in the memory 88, the
controller 86 facilitates execution of the partial task(s) 98. In
an example, the controller 86 interprets the partial task 98 in
light of the capabilities of the DT execution module(s) 90. The
capabilities include one or more of MIPS capabilities, processing
resources (e.g., quantity and capability of microprocessors, CPUs,
digital signal processors, co-processor, microcontrollers,
arithmetic logic circuitry, and/or any other analog and/or digital
processing circuitry), availability of the processing resources,
etc. If the controller 86 determines that the DT execution
module(s) 90 have sufficient capabilities, it generates task
control information 176.
[0127] The task control information 176 may be a generic
instruction (e.g., perform the task on the stored slice grouping)
or a series of operational codes. In the former instance, the DT
execution module 90 includes a co-processor function specifically
configured (fixed or programmed) to perform the desired task 98. In
the latter instance, the DT execution module 90 includes a general
processor topology where the controller stores an algorithm
corresponding to the particular task 98. In this instance, the
controller 86 provides the operational codes (e.g., assembly
language, source code of a programming language, object code, etc.)
of the algorithm to the DT execution module 90 for execution.
[0128] Depending on the nature of the task 98, the DT execution
module 90 may generate intermediate partial results 102 that are
stored in the memory 88 or in a cache memory (not shown) within the
DT execution module 90. In either case, when the DT execution
module 90 completes execution of the partial task 98, it outputs
one or more partial results 102. The partial results 102 may also
be stored in memory 88.
[0129] If, when the controller 86 is interpreting whether
capabilities of the DT execution module(s) 90 can support the
partial task 98, the controller 86 determines that the DT execution
module(s) 90 cannot adequately support the task 98 (e.g., does not
have the right resources, does not have sufficient available
resources, available resources would be too slow, etc.), it then
determines whether the partial task 98 should be fully offloaded or
partially offloaded.
[0130] If the controller 86 determines that the partial task 98
should be fully offloaded, it generates DST control information 178
and provides it to the DST client module 34. The DST control
information 178 includes the partial task 98, memory storage
information regarding the slice grouping 96, and distribution
instructions. The distribution instructions instruct the DST client
module 34 to divide the partial task 98 into sub-partial tasks 172,
to divide the slice grouping 96 into sub-slice groupings 170, and
identify other DST execution units. The DST client module 34
functions in a similar manner as the DST client module 34 of FIGS.
3-10 to produce the sub-partial tasks 172 and the sub-slice
groupings 170 in accordance with the distribution instructions.
[0131] The DST client module 34 receives DST feedback 168 (e.g.,
sub-partial results), via the interface 169, from the DST execution
units to which the task was offloaded. The DST client module 34
provides the sub-partial results to the DST execution unit, which
processes the sub-partial results to produce the partial result(s)
102.
[0132] If the controller 86 determines that the partial task 98
should be partially offloaded, it determines what portion of the
task 98 and/or slice grouping 96 should be processed locally and
what should be offloaded. For the portion that is being locally
processed, the controller 86 generates task control information 176
as previously discussed. For the portion that is being offloaded,
the controller 86 generates DST control information 178 as
previously discussed.
[0133] When the DST client module 34 receives DST feedback 168
(e.g., sub-partial results) from the DST executions units to which
a portion of the task was offloaded, it provides the sub-partial
results to the DT execution module 90. The DT execution module 90
processes the sub-partial results with the sub-partial results it
created to produce the partial result(s) 102.
[0134] The memory 88 may be further utilized to retrieve one or
more of stored slices 100, stored results 104, partial results 102
when the DT execution module 90 stores partial results 102 and/or
results 104 and the memory 88. For example, when the partial task
98 includes a retrieval request, the controller 86 outputs the
memory control 174 to the memory 88 to facilitate retrieval of
slices 100 and/or results 104.
[0135] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of an example of
operation of a distributed storage and task (DST) execution unit
storing encoded data slices and executing a task thereon. To store
the encoded data slices of a partition 1 of slice grouping 1, a
controller 86 generates write commands as memory control
information 174 such that the encoded slices are stored in desired
locations (e.g., permanent or temporary) within memory 88.
[0136] Once the encoded slices are stored, the controller 86
provides task control information 176 to a distributed task (DT)
execution module 90. As a first step of executing the task in
accordance with the task control information 176, the DT execution
module 90 retrieves the encoded slices from memory 88. The DT
execution module 90 then reconstructs contiguous data blocks of a
data partition. As shown for this example, reconstructed contiguous
data blocks of data partition 1 include data blocks 1-15 (e.g.,
d1-d15).
[0137] With the contiguous data blocks reconstructed, the DT
execution module 90 performs the task on the reconstructed
contiguous data blocks. For example, the task may be to search the
reconstructed contiguous data blocks for a particular word or
phrase, identify where in the reconstructed contiguous data blocks
the particular word or phrase occurred, and/or count the
occurrences of the particular word or phrase on the reconstructed
contiguous data blocks. The DST execution unit continues in a
similar manner for the encoded data slices of other partitions in
slice grouping 1. Note that with using the unity matrix error
encoding scheme previously discussed, if the encoded data slices of
contiguous data are uncorrupted, the decoding of them is a
relatively straightforward process of extracting the data.
[0138] If, however, an encoded data slice of contiguous data is
corrupted (or missing), it can be rebuilt by accessing other DST
execution units that are storing the other encoded data slices of
the set of encoded data slices of the corrupted encoded data slice.
In this instance, the DST execution unit having the corrupted
encoded data slices retrieves at least three encoded data slices
(of contiguous data and of error coding data) in the set from the
other DST execution units (recall for this example, the pillar
width is 5 and the decode threshold is 3). The DST execution unit
decodes the retrieved data slices using the DS error encoding
parameters to recapture the corresponding data segment. The DST
execution unit then re-encodes the data segment using the DS error
encoding parameters to rebuild the corrupted encoded data slice.
Once the encoded data slice is rebuilt, the DST execution unit
functions as previously described.
[0139] FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an
inbound distributed storage and/or task (DST) processing section 82
of a DST client module coupled to DST execution units of a
distributed storage and task network (DSTN) module via a network
24. The inbound DST processing section 82 includes a de-grouping
module 180, a DS (dispersed storage) error decoding module 182, a
data de-partitioning module 184, a control module 186, and a
distributed task control module 188. Note that the control module
186 and/or the distributed task control module 188 may be separate
modules from corresponding ones of outbound DST processing section
or may be the same modules.
[0140] In an example of operation, the DST execution units have
completed execution of corresponding partial tasks on the
corresponding slice groupings to produce partial results 102.
[0141] The inbound DST processing section 82 receives the partial
results 102 via the distributed task control module 188. The
inbound DST processing section 82 then processes the partial
results 102 to produce a final result, or results 104. For example,
if the task was to find a specific word or phrase within data, the
partial results 102 indicate where in each of the prescribed
portions of the data the corresponding DST execution units found
the specific word or phrase. The distributed task control module
188 combines the individual partial results 102 for the
corresponding portions of the data into a final result 104 for the
data as a whole.
[0142] In another example of operation, the inbound DST processing
section 82 is retrieving stored data from the DST execution units
(i.e., the DSTN module). In this example, the DST execution units
output encoded data slices 100 corresponding to the data retrieval
requests. The de-grouping module 180 receives retrieved slices 100
and de-groups them to produce encoded data slices per data
partition 122. The DS error decoding module 182 decodes, in
accordance with DS error encoding parameters, the encoded data
slices per data partition 122 to produce data partitions 120.
[0143] The data de-partitioning module 184 combines the data
partitions 120 into the data 92. The control module 186 controls
the conversion of retrieve slices 100 into the data 92 using
control signals 190 to each of the modules. For instance, the
control module 186 provides de-grouping information to the
de-grouping module 180, provides the DS error encoding parameters
to the DS error decoding module 182, and provides de-partitioning
information to the data de-partitioning module 184.
[0144] FIG. 14 is a logic diagram of an example of a method that is
executable by distributed storage and task (DST) client module
regarding inbound DST processing. The method begins at step 194
where the DST client module receives partial results. The method
continues at step 196 where the DST client module retrieves the
task corresponding to the partial results. For example, the partial
results include header information that identifies the requesting
entity, which correlates to the requested task.
[0145] The method continues at step 198 where the DST client module
determines result processing information based on the task. For
example, if the task were to identify a particular word or phrase
within the data, the result processing information would indicate
to aggregate the partial results for the corresponding portions of
the data to produce the final result. As another example, if the
task were to count the occurrences of a particular word or phrase
within the data, results of processing the information would
indicate to add the partial results to produce the final results.
The method continues at step 200 where the DST client module
processes the partial results in accordance with the result
processing information to produce the final result or results.
[0146] FIG. 15 is a diagram of an example of de-grouping selection
processing of an inbound distributed storage and task (DST)
processing section of a DST client module. In general, this is an
inverse process of the grouping module of the outbound DST
processing section of FIG. 9. Accordingly, for each data partition
(e.g., partition #1), the de-grouping module retrieves the
corresponding slice grouping from the DST execution units (EU)
(e.g., DST 1-5).
[0147] As shown, DST execution unit #1 provides a first slice
grouping, which includes the first encoded slices of each of the
sets of encoded slices (e.g., encoded data slices of contiguous
data of data blocks 1-15); DST execution unit #2 provides a second
slice grouping, which includes the second encoded slices of each of
the sets of encoded slices (e.g., encoded data slices of contiguous
data of data blocks 16-30); DST execution unit #3 provides a third
slice grouping, which includes the third encoded slices of each of
the sets of encoded slices (e.g., encoded data slices of contiguous
data of data blocks 31-45); DST execution unit #4 provides a fourth
slice grouping, which includes the fourth encoded slices of each of
the sets of encoded slices (e.g., first encoded data slices of
error coding (EC) data); and DST execution unit #5 provides a fifth
slice grouping, which includes the fifth encoded slices of each of
the sets of encoded slices (e.g., first encoded data slices of
error coding (EC) data).
[0148] The de-grouping module de-groups the slice groupings (e.g.,
received slices 100) using a de-grouping selector 180 controlled by
a control signal 190 as shown in the example to produce a plurality
of sets of encoded data slices (e.g., retrieved slices for a
partition into sets of slices 122). Each set corresponding to a
data segment of the data partition.
[0149] FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
dispersed storage (DS) error decoding module 182 of an inbound
distributed storage and task (DST) processing section. The DS error
decoding module 182 includes an inverse per slice security
processing module 202, a de-slicing module 204, an error decoding
module 206, an inverse segment security module 208, a de-segmenting
processing module 210, and a control module 186.
[0150] In an example of operation, the inverse per slice security
processing module 202, when enabled by the control module 186,
unsecures each encoded data slice 122 based on slice de-security
information received as control information 190 (e.g., the
compliment of the slice security information discussed with
reference to FIG. 6) received from the control module 186. The
slice security information includes data decompression, decryption,
de-watermarking, integrity check (e.g., CRC verification, etc.),
and/or any other type of digital security. For example, when the
inverse per slice security processing module 202 is enabled, it
verifies integrity information (e.g., a CRC value) of each encoded
data slice 122, it decrypts each verified encoded data slice, and
decompresses each decrypted encoded data slice to produce slice
encoded data 158. When the inverse per slice security processing
module 202 is not enabled, it passes the encoded data slices 122 as
the sliced encoded data 158 or is bypassed such that the retrieved
encoded data slices 122 are provided as the sliced encoded data
158.
[0151] The de-slicing module 204 de-slices the sliced encoded data
158 into encoded data segments 156 in accordance with a pillar
width of the error correction encoding parameters received as
control information 190 from the control module 186. For example,
if the pillar width is five, the de-slicing module 204 de-slices a
set of five encoded data slices into an encoded data segment 156.
The error decoding module 206 decodes the encoded data segments 156
in accordance with error correction decoding parameters received as
control information 190 from the control module 186 to produce
secure data segments 154. The error correction decoding parameters
include identifying an error correction encoding scheme (e.g.,
forward error correction algorithm, a Reed-Solomon based algorithm,
an information dispersal algorithm, etc.), a pillar width, a decode
threshold, a read threshold, a write threshold, etc. For example,
the error correction decoding parameters identify a specific error
correction encoding scheme, specify a pillar width of five, and
specify a decode threshold of three.
[0152] The inverse segment security processing module 208, when
enabled by the control module 186, unsecures the secured data
segments 154 based on segment security information received as
control information 190 from the control module 186. The segment
security information includes data decompression, decryption,
de-watermarking, integrity check (e.g., CRC, etc.) verification,
and/or any other type of digital security. For example, when the
inverse segment security processing module 208 is enabled, it
verifies integrity information (e.g., a CRC value) of each secure
data segment 154, it decrypts each verified secured data segment,
and decompresses each decrypted secure data segment to produce a
data segment 152. When the inverse segment security processing
module 208 is not enabled, it passes the decoded data segment 154
as the data segment 152 or is bypassed.
[0153] The de-segment processing module 210 receives the data
segments 152 and receives de-segmenting information as control
information 190 from the control module 186. The de-segmenting
information indicates how the de-segment processing module 210 is
to de-segment the data segments 152 into a data partition 120. For
example, the de-segmenting information indicates how the rows and
columns of data segments are to be rearranged to yield the data
partition 120.
[0154] FIG. 17 is a diagram of an example of de-slicing and error
decoding processing of a dispersed error decoding module. A
de-slicing module 204 receives at least a decode threshold number
of encoded data slices 158 for each data segment in accordance with
control information 190 and provides encoded data 156. In this
example, a decode threshold is three. As such, each set of encoded
data slices 158 is shown to have three encoded data slices per data
segment. The de-slicing module 204 may receive three encoded data
slices per data segment because an associated distributed storage
and task (DST) client module requested retrieving only three
encoded data slices per segment or selected three of the retrieved
encoded data slices per data segment. As shown, which is based on
the unity matrix encoding previously discussed with reference to
FIG. 8, an encoded data slice may be a data-based encoded data
slice (e.g., DS1.sub.--d1&d2) or an error code based encoded
data slice (e.g., ES3_1).
[0155] An error decoding module 206 decodes the encoded data 156 of
each data segment in accordance with the error correction decoding
parameters of control information 190 to produce secured segments
154. In this example, data segment 1 includes 3 rows with each row
being treated as one word for encoding. As such, data segment 1
includes three words: word 1 including data blocks d1 and d2, word
2 including data blocks d16 and d17, and word 3 including data
blocks d31 and d32. Each of data segments 2-7 includes three words
where each word includes two data blocks. Data segment 8 includes
three words where each word includes a single data block (e.g.,
d15, d30, and d45).
[0156] FIG. 18 is a diagram of an example of de-segment processing
of an inbound distributed storage and task (DST) processing. In
this example, a de-segment processing module 210 receives data
segments 152 (e.g., 1-8) and rearranges the data blocks of the data
segments into rows and columns in accordance with de-segmenting
information of control information 190 to produce a data partition
120. Note that the number of rows is based on the decode threshold
(e.g., 3 in this specific example) and the number of columns is
based on the number and size of the data blocks.
[0157] The de-segmenting module 210 converts the rows and columns
of data blocks into the data partition 120. Note that each data
block may be of the same size as other data blocks or of a
different size. In addition, the size of each data block may be a
few bytes to megabytes of data.
[0158] FIG. 19 is a diagram of an example of converting slice
groups into data 92 within an inbound distributed storage and task
(DST) processing section. As shown, the data 92 is reconstructed
from a plurality of data partitions (1-x, where x is an integer
greater than 4). Each data partition (or chunk set of data) is
decoded and re-grouped using a de-grouping and decoding function
212 and a de-partition function 214 from slice groupings as
previously discussed. For a given data partition, the slice
groupings (e.g., at least a decode threshold per data segment of
encoded data slices) are received from DST execution units. From
data partition to data partition, the ordering of the slice
groupings received from the DST execution units may vary as
discussed with reference to FIG. 10.
[0159] FIG. 20 is a diagram of an example of a distributed storage
and/or retrieval within the distributed computing system. The
distributed computing system includes a plurality of distributed
storage and/or task (DST) processing client modules 34 (one shown)
coupled to a distributed storage and/or task processing network
(DSTN) module, or multiple DSTN modules, via a network 24. The DST
client module 34 includes an outbound DST processing section 80 and
an inbound DST processing section 82. The DSTN module includes a
plurality of DST execution units. Each DST execution unit includes
a controller 86, memory 88, one or more distributed task (DT)
execution modules 90, and a DST client module 34.
[0160] In an example of data storage, the DST client module 34 has
data 92 that it desires to store in the DSTN module. The data 92
may be a file (e.g., video, audio, text, graphics, etc.), a data
object, a data block, an update to a file, an update to a data
block, etc. In this instance, the outbound DST processing module 80
converts the data 92 into encoded data slices 216 as will be
further described with reference to FIGS. 21-23. The outbound DST
processing module 80 sends, via the network 24, to the DST
execution units for storage as further described with reference to
FIG. 24.
[0161] In an example of data retrieval, the DST client module 34
issues a retrieve request to the DST execution units for the
desired data 92. The retrieve request may address each DST
executions units storing encoded data slices of the desired data,
address a decode threshold number of DST execution units, address a
read threshold number of DST execution units, or address some other
number of DST execution units. In response to the request, each
addressed DST execution unit retrieves its encoded data slices 100
of the desired data and sends them to the inbound DST processing
section 82, via the network 24.
[0162] When, for each data segment, the inbound DST processing
section 82 receives at least a decode threshold number of encoded
data slices 100, it converts the encoded data slices 100 into a
data segment. The inbound DST processing section 82 aggregates the
data segments to produce the retrieved data 92.
[0163] FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an
outbound distributed storage and/or task (DST) processing section
80 of a DST client module coupled to a distributed storage and task
network (DSTN) module (e.g., a plurality of DST execution units)
via a network 24. The outbound DST processing section 80 includes a
data partitioning module 110, a dispersed storage (DS) error
encoding module 112, a grouping selector module 114, a control
module 116, and a distributed task control module 118.
[0164] In an example of operation, the data partitioning module 110
is by-passed such that data 92 is provided directly to the DS error
encoding module 112. The control module 116 coordinates the
by-passing of the data partitioning module 110 by outputting a
bypass 220 message to the data partitioning module 110.
[0165] The DS error encoding module 112 receives the data 92 in a
serial manner, a parallel manner, and/or a combination thereof. The
DS error encoding module 112 DS error encodes the data in
accordance with control information 160 from the control module 116
to produce encoded data slices 218. The DS error encoding includes
segmenting the data 92 into data segments, segment security
processing (e.g., encryption, compression, watermarking, integrity
check (e.g., CRC, etc.)), error encoding, slicing, and/or per slice
security processing (e.g., encryption, compression, watermarking,
integrity check (e.g., CRC, etc.)). The control information 160
indicates which steps of the DS error encoding are active for the
data 92 and, for active steps, indicates the parameters for the
step. For example, the control information 160 indicates that the
error encoding is active and includes error encoding parameters
(e.g., pillar width, decode threshold, write threshold, read
threshold, type of error encoding, etc.).
[0166] The grouping selector module 114 groups the encoded slices
218 of the data segments into pillars of slices 216. The number of
pillars corresponds to the pillar width of the DS error encoding
parameters. In this example, the distributed task control module
118 facilitates the storage request.
[0167] FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a
dispersed storage (DS) error encoding module 112 for the example of
FIG. 21. The DS error encoding module 112 includes a segment
processing module 142, a segment security processing module 144, an
error encoding module 146, a slicing module 148, and a per slice
security processing module 150. Each of these modules is coupled to
a control module 116 to receive control information 160
therefrom.
[0168] In an example of operation, the segment processing module
142 receives data 92 and receives segmenting information as control
information 160 from the control module 116. The segmenting
information indicates how the segment processing module is to
segment the data. For example, the segmenting information indicates
the size of each data segment. The segment processing module 142
segments the data 92 into data segments 152 in accordance with the
segmenting information.
[0169] The segment security processing module 144, when enabled by
the control module 116, secures the data segments 152 based on
segment security information received as control information 160
from the control module 116. The segment security information
includes data compression, encryption, watermarking, integrity
check (e.g., CRC, etc.), and/or any other type of digital security.
For example, when the segment security processing module 144 is
enabled, it compresses a data segment 152, encrypts the compressed
data segment, and generates a CRC value for the encrypted data
segment to produce a secure data segment. When the segment security
processing module 144 is not enabled, it passes the data segments
152 to the error encoding module 146 or is bypassed such that the
data segments 152 are provided to the error encoding module
146.
[0170] The error encoding module 146 encodes the secure data
segments in accordance with error correction encoding parameters
received as control information 160 from the control module 116.
The error correction encoding parameters include identifying an
error correction encoding scheme (e.g., forward error correction
algorithm, a Reed-Solomon based algorithm, an information dispersal
algorithm, etc.), a pillar width, a decode threshold, a read
threshold, a write threshold, etc. For example, the error
correction encoding parameters identify a specific error correction
encoding scheme, specifies a pillar width of five, and specifies a
decode threshold of three. From these parameters, the error
encoding module 146 encodes a data segment to produce an encoded
data segment.
[0171] The slicing module 148 slices the encoded data segment in
accordance with a pillar width of the error correction encoding
parameters. For example, if the pillar width is five, the slicing
module slices an encoded data segment into a set of five encoded
data slices. As such, for a plurality of data segments, the slicing
module 148 outputs a plurality of sets of encoded data slices as
shown within encoding and slicing function 222 as described.
[0172] The per slice security processing module 150, when enabled
by the control module 116, secures each encoded data slice based on
slice security information received as control information 160 from
the control module 116. The slice security information includes
data compression, encryption, watermarking, integrity check (e.g.,
CRC, etc.), and/or any other type of digital security. For example,
when the per slice security processing module 150 is enabled, it
may compress an encoded data slice, encrypt the compressed encoded
data slice, and generate a CRC value for the encrypted encoded data
slice to produce a secure encoded data slice tweaking. When the per
slice security processing module 150 is not enabled, it passes the
encoded data slices or is bypassed such that the encoded data
slices 218 are the output of the DS error encoding module 112.
[0173] FIG. 23 is a diagram of an example of converting data 92
into pillar slice groups utilizing encoding, slicing and pillar
grouping function 224 for storage in memory of a distributed
storage and task network (DSTN) module. As previously discussed the
data 92 is encoded and sliced into a plurality of sets of encoded
data slices; one set per data segment. The grouping selection
module organizes the sets of encoded data slices into pillars of
data slices. In this example, the DS error encoding parameters
include a pillar width of 5 and a decode threshold of 3. As such,
for each data segment, 5 encoded data slices are created.
[0174] The grouping selection module takes the first encoded data
slice of each of the sets and forms a first pillar, which may be
sent to the first DST execution unit. Similarly, the grouping
selection module creates the second pillar from the second slices
of the sets; the third pillar from the third slices of the sets;
the fourth pillar from the fourth slices of the sets; and the fifth
pillar from the fifth slices of the set.
[0175] FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
distributed storage and/or task (DST) execution unit that includes
an interface 169, a controller 86, memory 88, one or more
distributed task (DT) execution modules 90, and a DST client module
34. A computing core 26 may be utilized to implement the one or
more DT execution modules 90 and the DST client module 34. The
memory 88 is of sufficient size to store a significant number of
encoded data slices (e.g., thousands of slices to
hundreds-of-millions of slices) and may include one or more hard
drives and/or one or more solid-state memory devices (e.g., flash
memory, DRAM, etc.).
[0176] In an example of storing a pillar of slices 216, the DST
execution unit receives, via interface 169, a pillar of slices 216
(e.g., pillar #1 slices). The memory 88 stores the encoded data
slices 216 of the pillar of slices in accordance with memory
control information 174 it receives from the controller 86. The
controller 86 (e.g., a processing module, a CPU, etc.) generates
the memory control information 174 based on distributed storage
information (e.g., user information (e.g., user ID, distributed
storage permissions, data access permission, etc.), vault
information (e.g., virtual memory assigned to user, user group,
etc.), etc.). Similarly, when retrieving slices, the DST execution
unit receives, via interface 169, a slice retrieval request. The
memory 88 retrieves the slice in accordance with memory control
information 174 it receives from the controller 86. The memory 88
outputs the slice 100, via the interface 169, to a requesting
entity.
[0177] FIG. 25 is a schematic block diagram of an example of
operation of an inbound distributed storage and/or task (DST)
processing section 82 for retrieving dispersed error encoded data
92. The inbound DST processing section 82 includes a de-grouping
module 180, a dispersed storage (DS) error decoding module 182, a
data de-partitioning module 184, a control module 186, and a
distributed task control module 188. Note that the control module
186 and/or the distributed task control module 188 may be separate
modules from corresponding ones of an outbound DST processing
section or may be the same modules.
[0178] In an example of operation, the inbound DST processing
section 82 is retrieving stored data 92 from the DST execution
units (i.e., the DSTN module). In this example, the DST execution
units output encoded data slices corresponding to data retrieval
requests from the distributed task control module 188. The
de-grouping module 180 receives pillars of slices 100 and de-groups
them in accordance with control information 190 from the control
module 186 to produce sets of encoded data slices 218. The DS error
decoding module 182 decodes, in accordance with the DS error
encoding parameters received as control information 190 from the
control module 186, each set of encoded data slices 218 to produce
data segments, which are aggregated into retrieved data 92. The
data de-partitioning module 184 is by-passed in this operational
mode via a bypass signal 226 of control information 190 from the
control module 186.
[0179] FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
dispersed storage (DS) error decoding module 182 of an inbound
distributed storage and task (DST) processing section. The DS error
decoding module 182 includes an inverse per slice security
processing module 202, a de-slicing module 204, an error decoding
module 206, an inverse segment security module 208, and a
de-segmenting processing module 210. The dispersed error decoding
module 182 is operable to de-slice and decode encoded slices per
data segment 218 utilizing a de-slicing and decoding function 228
to produce a plurality of data segments that are de-segmented
utilizing a de-segment function 230 to recover data 92.
[0180] In an example of operation, the inverse per slice security
processing module 202, when enabled by the control module 186 via
control information 190, unsecures each encoded data slice 218
based on slice de-security information (e.g., the compliment of the
slice security information discussed with reference to FIG. 6)
received as control information 190 from the control module 186.
The slice de-security information includes data decompression,
decryption, de-watermarking, integrity check (e.g., CRC
verification, etc.), and/or any other type of digital security. For
example, when the inverse per slice security processing module 202
is enabled, it verifies integrity information (e.g., a CRC value)
of each encoded data slice 218, it decrypts each verified encoded
data slice, and decompresses each decrypted encoded data slice to
produce slice encoded data. When the inverse per slice security
processing module 202 is not enabled, it passes the encoded data
slices 218 as the sliced encoded data or is bypassed such that the
retrieved encoded data slices 218 are provided as the sliced
encoded data.
[0181] The de-slicing module 204 de-slices the sliced encoded data
into encoded data segments in accordance with a pillar width of the
error correction encoding parameters received as control
information 190 from a control module 186. For example, if the
pillar width is five, the de-slicing module de-slices a set of five
encoded data slices into an encoded data segment. Alternatively,
the encoded data segment may include just three encoded data slices
(e.g., when the decode threshold is 3).
[0182] The error decoding module 206 decodes the encoded data
segments in accordance with error correction decoding parameters
received as control information 190 from the control module 186 to
produce secure data segments. The error correction decoding
parameters include identifying an error correction encoding scheme
(e.g., forward error correction algorithm, a Reed-Solomon based
algorithm, an information dispersal algorithm, etc.), a pillar
width, a decode threshold, a read threshold, a write threshold,
etc. For example, the error correction decoding parameters identify
a specific error correction encoding scheme, specify a pillar width
of five, and specify a decode threshold of three.
[0183] The inverse segment security processing module 208, when
enabled by the control module 186, unsecures the secured data
segments based on segment security information received as control
information 190 from the control module 186. The segment security
information includes data decompression, decryption,
de-watermarking, integrity check (e.g., CRC, etc.) verification,
and/or any other type of digital security. For example, when the
inverse segment security processing module is enabled, it verifies
integrity information (e.g., a CRC value) of each secure data
segment, it decrypts each verified secured data segment, and
decompresses each decrypted secure data segment to produce a data
segment 152. When the inverse segment security processing module
208 is not enabled, it passes the decoded data segment 152 as the
data segment or is bypassed. The de-segmenting processing module
210 aggregates the data segments 152 into the data 92 in accordance
with control information 190 from the control module 186.
[0184] FIG. 27 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a
distributed storage and task processing network (DSTN) module that
includes a plurality of distributed storage and task (DST)
execution units (#1 through #n, where, for example, n is an integer
greater than or equal to three). Each of the DST execution units
includes a DST client module 34, a controller 86, one or more DT
(distributed task) execution modules 90, and memory 88.
[0185] In this example, the DSTN module stores, in the memory of
the DST execution units, a plurality of DS (dispersed storage)
encoded data (e.g., 1 through n, where n is an integer greater than
or equal to two) and stores a plurality of DS encoded task codes
(e.g., 1 through k, where k is an integer greater than or equal to
two). The DS encoded data may be encoded in accordance with one or
more examples described with reference to FIGS. 3-19 (e.g.,
organized in slice groupings) or encoded in accordance with one or
more examples described with reference to FIGS. 20-26 (e.g.,
organized in pillar groups). The data that is encoded into the DS
encoded data may be of any size and/or of any content. For example,
the data may be one or more digital books, a copy of a company's
emails, a large-scale Internet search, a video security file, one
or more entertainment video files (e.g., television programs,
movies, etc.), data files, and/or any other large amount of data
(e.g., greater than a few Terabytes).
[0186] The tasks that are encoded into the DS encoded task code may
be a simple function (e.g., a mathematical function, a logic
function, an identify function, a find function, a search engine
function, a replace function, etc.), a complex function (e.g.,
compression, human and/or computer language translation,
text-to-voice conversion, voice-to-text conversion, etc.), multiple
simple and/or complex functions, one or more algorithms, one or
more applications, etc. The tasks may be encoded into the DS
encoded task code in accordance with one or more examples described
with reference to FIGS. 3-19 (e.g., organized in slice groupings)
or encoded in accordance with one or more examples described with
reference to FIGS. 20-26 (e.g., organized in pillar groups).
[0187] In an example of operation, a DST client module of a user
device or of a DST processing unit issues a DST request to the DSTN
module. The DST request may include a request to retrieve stored
data, or a portion thereof, may include a request to store data
that is included with the DST request, may include a request to
perform one or more tasks on stored data, may include a request to
perform one or more tasks on data included with the DST request,
etc. In the cases where the DST request includes a request to store
data or to retrieve data, the client module and/or the DSTN module
processes the request as previously discussed with reference to one
or more of FIGS. 3-19 (e.g., slice groupings) and/or 20-26 (e.g.,
pillar groupings). In the case where the DST request includes a
request to perform one or more tasks on data included with the DST
request, the DST client module and/or the DSTN module process the
DST request as previously discussed with reference to one or more
of FIGS. 3-19.
[0188] In the case where the DST request includes a request to
perform one or more tasks on stored data, the DST client module
and/or the DSTN module processes the DST request as will be
described with reference to one or more of FIGS. 28-39. In general,
the DST client module identifies data and one or more tasks for the
DSTN module to execute upon the identified data. The DST request
may be for a one-time execution of the task or for an on-going
execution of the task. As an example of the latter, as a company
generates daily emails, the DST request may be to daily search new
emails for inappropriate content and, if found, record the content,
the email sender(s), the email recipient(s), email routing
information, notify human resources of the identified email,
etc.
[0189] FIG. 28 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a
distributed computing system performing tasks on stored data. In
this example, two distributed storage and task (DST) client modules
1-2 are shown: the first may be associated with a user device and
the second may be associated with a DST processing unit or a high
priority user device (e.g., high priority clearance user, system
administrator, etc.). Each DST client module includes a list of
stored data 234 and a list of tasks codes 236. The list of stored
data 234 includes one or more entries of data identifying
information, where each entry identifies data stored in the DSTN
module 22. The data identifying information (e.g., data ID)
includes one or more of a data file name, a data file directory
listing, DSTN addressing information of the data, a data object
identifier, etc. The list of tasks 236 includes one or more entries
of task code identifying information, when each entry identifies
task codes stored in the DSTN module 22. The task code identifying
information (e.g., task ID) includes one or more of a task file
name, a task file directory listing, DSTN addressing information of
the task, another type of identifier to identify the task, etc.
[0190] As shown, the list of data 234 and the list of tasks 236 are
each smaller in number of entries for the first DST client module
than the corresponding lists of the second DST client module. This
may occur because the user device associated with the first DST
client module has fewer privileges in the distributed computing
system than the device associated with the second DST client
module. Alternatively, this may occur because the user device
associated with the first DST client module serves fewer users than
the device associated with the second DST client module and is
restricted by the distributed computing system accordingly. As yet
another alternative, this may occur through no restraints by the
distributed computing system, it just occurred because the operator
of the user device associated with the first DST client module has
selected fewer data and/or fewer tasks than the operator of the
device associated with the second DST client module.
[0191] In an example of operation, the first DST client module
selects one or more data entries 238 and one or more tasks 240 from
its respective lists (e.g., selected data ID and selected task ID).
The first DST client module sends its selections to a task
distribution module 232. The task distribution module 232 may be
within a stand-alone device of the distributed computing system,
may be within the user device that contains the first DST client
module, or may be within the DSTN module 22.
[0192] Regardless of the task distribution module's location, it
generates DST allocation information 242 from the selected task ID
240 and the selected data ID 238. The DST allocation information
242 includes data partitioning information, task execution
information, and/or intermediate result information. The task
distribution module 232 sends the DST allocation information 242 to
the DSTN module 22. Note that one or more examples of the DST
allocation information will be discussed with reference to one or
more of FIGS. 29-39.
[0193] The DSTN module 22 interprets the DST allocation information
242 to identify the stored DS encoded data (e.g., DS error encoded
data 2) and to identify the stored DS error encoded task code
(e.g., DS error encoded task code 1). In addition, the DSTN module
22 interprets the DST allocation information 242 to determine how
the data is to be partitioned and how the task is to be
partitioned. The DSTN module 22 also determines whether the
selected DS error encoded data 238 needs to be converted from
pillar grouping to slice grouping. If so, the DSTN module 22
converts the selected DS error encoded data into slice groupings
and stores the slice grouping DS error encoded data by overwriting
the pillar grouping DS error encoded data or by storing it in a
different location in the memory of the DSTN module 22 (i.e., does
not overwrite the pillar grouping DS encoded data).
[0194] The DSTN module 22 partitions the data and the task as
indicated in the DST allocation information 242 and sends the
portions to selected DST execution units of the DSTN module 22.
Each of the selected DST execution units performs its partial
task(s) on its slice groupings to produce partial results. The DSTN
module 22 collects the partial results from the selected DST
execution units and provides them, as result information 244, to
the task distribution module. The result information 244 may be the
collected partial results, one or more final results as produced by
the DSTN module 22 from processing the partial results in
accordance with the DST allocation information 242, or one or more
intermediate results as produced by the DSTN module 22 from
processing the partial results in accordance with the DST
allocation information 242.
[0195] The task distribution module 232 receives the result
information 244 and provides one or more final results 104
therefrom to the first DST client module. The final result(s) 104
may be result information 244 or a result(s) of the task
distribution module's processing of the result information 244.
[0196] In concurrence with processing the selected task of the
first DST client module, the distributed computing system may
process the selected task(s) of the second DST client module on the
selected data(s) of the second DST client module. Alternatively,
the distributed computing system may process the second DST client
module's request subsequent to, or preceding, that of the first DST
client module. Regardless of the ordering and/or parallel
processing of the DST client module requests, the second DST client
module provides its selected data 238 and selected task 240 to a
task distribution module 232. If the task distribution module 232
is a separate device of the distributed computing system or within
the DSTN module, the task distribution modules 232 coupled to the
first and second DST client modules may be the same module. The
task distribution module 232 processes the request of the second
DST client module in a similar manner as it processed the request
of the first DST client module.
[0197] FIG. 29 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
task distribution module 232 facilitating the example of FIG. 28.
The task distribution module 232 includes a plurality of tables it
uses to generate distributed storage and task (DST) allocation
information 242 for selected data and selected tasks received from
a DST client module. The tables include data storage information
248, task storage information 250, distributed task (DT) execution
module information 252, and task .revreaction. sub-task mapping
information 246.
[0198] The data storage information table 248 includes a data
identification (ID) field 260, a data size field 262, an addressing
information field 264, distributed storage (DS) information 266,
and may further include other information regarding the data, how
it is stored, and/or how it can be processed. For example, DS
encoded data #1 has a data ID of 1, a data size of AA (e.g., a byte
size of a few Terabytes or more), addressing information of
Addr_1_AA, and DS parameters of 3/5; SEG_1; and SLC_1. In this
example, the addressing information may be a virtual address
corresponding to the virtual address of the first storage word
(e.g., one or more bytes) of the data and information on how to
calculate the other addresses, may be a range of virtual addresses
for the storage words of the data, physical addresses of the first
storage word or the storage words of the data, may be a list of
slice names of the encoded data slices of the data, etc. The DS
parameters may include identity of an error encoding scheme, decode
threshold/pillar width (e.g., 3/5 for the first data entry),
segment security information (e.g., SEG_1), per slice security
information (e.g., SLC_1), and/or any other information regarding
how the data was encoded into data slices.
[0199] The task storage information table 250 includes a task
identification (ID) field 268, a task size field 270, an addressing
information field 272, distributed storage (DS) information 274,
and may further include other information regarding the task, how
it is stored, and/or how it can be used to process data. For
example, DS encoded task #2 has a task ID of 2, a task size of XY,
addressing information of Addr_2_XY, and DS parameters of 3/5;
SEG_2; and SLC_2. In this example, the addressing information may
be a virtual address corresponding to the virtual address of the
first storage word (e.g., one or more bytes) of the task and
information on how to calculate the other addresses, may be a range
of virtual addresses for the storage words of the task, physical
addresses of the first storage word or the storage words of the
task, may be a list of slices names of the encoded slices of the
task code, etc. The DS parameters may include identity of an error
encoding scheme, decode threshold/pillar width (e.g., 3/5 for the
first data entry), segment security information (e.g., SEG_2), per
slice security information (e.g., SLC_2), and/or any other
information regarding how the task was encoded into encoded task
slices. Note that the segment and/or the per-slice security
information include a type of encryption (if enabled), a type of
compression (if enabled), watermarking information (if enabled),
and/or an integrity check scheme (if enabled).
[0200] The task .revreaction. sub-task mapping information table
246 includes a task field 256 and a sub-task field 258. The task
field 256 identifies a task stored in the memory of a distributed
storage and task network (DSTN) module and the corresponding
sub-task fields 258 indicates whether the task includes sub-tasks
and, if so, how many and if any of the sub-tasks are ordered. In
this example, the task .revreaction. sub-task mapping information
table 246 includes an entry for each task stored in memory of the
DSTN module (e.g., task 1 through task k). In particular, this
example indicates that task 1 includes 7 sub-tasks; task 2 does not
include sub-tasks, and task k includes r number of sub-tasks (where
r is an integer greater than or equal to two).
[0201] The DT execution module table 252 includes a DST execution
unit ID field 276, a DT execution module ID field 278, and a DT
execution module capabilities field 280. The DST execution unit ID
field 276 includes the identity of DST units in the DSTN module.
The DT execution module ID field 278 includes the identity of each
DT execution unit in each DST unit. For example, DST unit 1
includes three DT executions modules (e.g., 1_1, 1_2, and 1_3). The
DT execution capabilities field 280 includes identity of the
capabilities of the corresponding DT execution unit. For example,
DT execution module 1_1 includes capabilities X, where X includes
one or more of MIPS capabilities, processing resources (e.g.,
quantity and capability of microprocessors, CPUs, digital signal
processors, co-processor, microcontrollers, arithmetic logic
circuitry, and/or any other analog and/or digital processing
circuitry), availability of the processing resources, memory
information (e.g., type, size, availability, etc.), and/or any
information germane to executing one or more tasks.
[0202] From these tables, the task distribution module 232
generates the DST allocation information 242 to indicate where the
data is stored, how to partition the data, where the task is
stored, how to partition the task, which DT execution units should
perform which partial task on which data partitions, where and how
intermediate results are to be stored, etc. If multiple tasks are
being performed on the same data or different data, the task
distribution module factors such information into its generation of
the DST allocation information.
[0203] FIG. 30 is a diagram of a specific example of a distributed
computing system performing tasks on stored data as a task flow
318. In this example, selected data 92 is data 2 and selected tasks
are tasks 1, 2, and 3. Task 1 corresponds to analyzing translation
of data from one language to another (e.g., human language or
computer language); task 2 corresponds to finding specific words
and/or phrases in the data; and task 3 corresponds to finding
specific translated words and/or phrases in translated data.
[0204] In this example, task 1 includes 7 sub-tasks: task
1_1--identify non-words (non-ordered); task 1_2--identify unique
words (non-ordered); task 1_3--translate (non-ordered); task
1_4--translate back (ordered after task 1_3); task 1_5--compare to
ID errors (ordered after task 1-4); task 1_6--determine non-word
translation errors (ordered after task 1_5 and 1_1); and task
1_7--determine correct translations (ordered after 1_5 and 1_2).
The sub-task further indicates whether they are an ordered task
(i.e., are dependent on the outcome of another task) or non-order
(i.e., are independent of the outcome of another task). Task 2 does
not include sub-tasks and task 3 includes two sub-tasks: task 3_1
translate; and task 3_2 find specific word or phrase in translated
data.
[0205] In general, the three tasks collectively are selected to
analyze data for translation accuracies, translation errors,
translation anomalies, occurrence of specific words or phrases in
the data, and occurrence of specific words or phrases on the
translated data. Graphically, the data 92 is translated 306 into
translated data 282; is analyzed for specific words and/or phrases
300 to produce a list of specific words and/or phrases 286; is
analyzed for non-words 302 (e.g., not in a reference dictionary) to
produce a list of non-words 290; and is analyzed for unique words
316 included in the data 92 (i.e., how many different words are
included in the data) to produce a list of unique words 298. Each
of these tasks is independent of each other and can therefore be
processed in parallel if desired.
[0206] The translated data 282 is analyzed (e.g., sub-task 3_2) for
specific translated words and/or phrases 304 to produce a list of
specific translated words and/or phrases. The translated data 282
is translated back 308 (e.g., sub-task 1_4) into the language of
the original data to produce re-translated data 284. These two
tasks are dependent on the translate task (e.g., task 1_3) and thus
must be ordered after the translation task, which may be in a
pipelined ordering or a serial ordering. The re-translated data 284
is then compared 310 with the original data 92 to find words and/or
phrases that did not translate (one way and/or the other) properly
to produce a list of incorrectly translated words 294. As such, the
comparing task (e.g., sub-task 1_5) 310 is ordered after the
translation 306 and re-translation tasks 308 (e.g., sub-tasks 1_3
and 1_4).
[0207] The list of words incorrectly translated 294 is compared 312
to the list of non-words 290 to identify words that were not
properly translated because the words are non-words to produce a
list of errors due to non-words 292. In addition, the list of words
incorrectly translated 294 is compared 314 to the list of unique
words 298 to identify unique words that were properly translated to
produce a list of correctly translated words 296. The comparison
may also identify unique words that were not properly translated to
produce a list of unique words that were not properly translated.
Note that each list of words (e.g., specific words and/or phrases,
non-words, unique words, translated words and/or phrases, etc.,)
may include the word and/or phrase, how many times it is used,
where in the data it is used, and/or any other information
requested regarding a word and/or phrase.
[0208] FIG. 31 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a
distributed storage and task processing network (DSTN) module
storing data and task codes for the example of FIG. 30. As shown,
DS encoded data 2 is stored as encoded data slices across the
memory (e.g., stored in memories 88) of DST execution units 1-5;
the DS encoded task code 1 (of task 1) and DS encoded task 3 are
stored as encoded task slices across the memory of DST execution
units 1-5; and DS encoded task code 2 (of task 2) is stored as
encoded task slices across the memory of DST execution units 3-7.
As indicated in the data storage information table and the task
storage information table of FIG. 29, the respective data/task has
DS parameters of 3/5 for their decode threshold/pillar width; hence
spanning the memory of five DST execution units.
[0209] FIG. 32 is a diagram of an example of distributed storage
and task (DST) allocation information 242 for the example of FIG.
30. The DST allocation information 242 includes data partitioning
information 320, task execution information 322, and intermediate
result information 324. The data partitioning information 320
includes the data identifier (ID), the number of partitions to
split the data into, address information for each data partition,
and whether the DS encoded data has to be transformed from pillar
grouping to slice grouping. The task execution information 322
includes tabular information having a task identification field
326, a task ordering field 328, a data partition field ID 330, and
a set of DT execution modules 332 to use for the distributed task
processing per data partition. The intermediate result information
324 includes tabular information having a name ID field 334, an ID
of the DST execution unit assigned to process the corresponding
intermediate result 336, a scratch pad storage field 338, and an
intermediate result storage field 340.
[0210] Continuing with the example of FIG. 30, where tasks 1-3 are
to be distributedly performed on data 2, the data partitioning
information includes the ID of data 2. In addition, the task
distribution module determines whether the DS encoded data 2 is in
the proper format for distributed computing (e.g., was stored as
slice groupings). If not, the task distribution module indicates
that the DS encoded data 2 format needs to be changed from the
pillar grouping format to the slice grouping format, which will be
done the by DSTN module. In addition, the task distribution module
determines the number of partitions to divide the data into (e.g.,
2_1 through 2.sub.--z) and addressing information for each
partition.
[0211] The task distribution module generates an entry in the task
execution information section for each sub-task to be performed.
For example, task 1_1 (e.g., identify non-words on the data) has no
task ordering (i.e., is independent of the results of other
sub-tasks), is to be performed on data partitions 2_1 through
2.sub.--z by DT execution modules 1_1, 2_1, 3_1, 4_1, and 5_1. For
instance, DT execution modules 1_1, 2_1, 3_1, 4_1, and 5_1 search
for non-words in data partitions 2_1 through 2.sub.--z to produce
task 1_1 intermediate results (R1-1, which is a list of non-words).
Task 1_2 (e.g., identify unique words) has similar task execution
information as task 1_1 to produce task 1_2 intermediate results
(R1-2, which is the list of unique words).
[0212] Task 1_3 (e.g., translate) includes task execution
information as being non-ordered (i.e., is independent), having DT
execution modules 1_1, 2_1, 3_1, 4_1, and 5_1 translate data
partitions 2_1 through 2_4 and having DT execution modules 1_2,
2_2, 3_2, 4_2, and 5_2 translate data partitions 2_5 through
2.sub.--z to produce task 1_3 intermediate results (R1-3, which is
the translated data). In this example, the data partitions are
grouped, where different sets of DT execution modules perform a
distributed sub-task (or task) on each data partition group, which
allows for further parallel processing.
[0213] Task 1_4 (e.g., translate back) is ordered after task 1_3
and is to be executed on task 1_3's intermediate result (e.g.,
R1-3_1) (e.g., the translated data). DT execution modules 1_1, 2_1,
3_1, 4_1, and 5_1 are allocated to translate back task 1_3
intermediate result partitions R1-3_1 through R1-3_4 and DT
execution modules 1_2, 2_2, 6_1, 7_1, and 7_2 are allocated to
translate back task 1_3 intermediate result partitions R1-3_5
through R1-3.sub.--z to produce task 1-4 intermediate results
(R1-4, which is the translated back data).
[0214] Task 1_5 (e.g., compare data and translated data to identify
translation errors) is ordered after task 1_4 and is to be executed
on task 1_4's intermediate results (R4-1) and on the data. DT
execution modules 1_1, 2_1, 3_1, 4_1, and 5_1 are allocated to
compare the data partitions (2_1 through 2.sub.--z) with partitions
of task 1-4 intermediate results partitions R1-4_1 through
R1-4.sub.--z to produce task 1_5 intermediate results (R1-5, which
is the list words translated incorrectly).
[0215] Task 1_6 (e.g., determine non-word translation errors) is
ordered after tasks 1_1 and 1_5 and is to be executed on tasks
1_1's and 1_5's intermediate results (R1-1 and R1-5). DT execution
modules 1_1, 2_1, 3_1, 4_1, and 5_1 are allocated to compare the
partitions of task 1_1 intermediate results (R1-1_1 through
R1-1.sub.--z) with partitions of task 1-5 intermediate results
partitions (R1-5_1 through R1-5.sub.--z) to produce task 1_6
intermediate results (R1-6, which is the list translation errors
due to non-words).
[0216] Task 1_7 (e.g., determine words correctly translated) is
ordered after tasks 1_2 and 1_5 and is to be executed on tasks
1_2's and 1_5's intermediate results (R1-1 and R1-5). DT execution
modules 1_2, 2_2, 3_2, 4_2, and 5_2 are allocated to compare the
partitions of task 1_2 intermediate results (R1-2_1 through
R1-2.sub.--z) with partitions of task 1-5 intermediate results
partitions (R1-5_1 through R1-5.sub.--z) to produce task 1_7
intermediate results (R1-7, which is the list of correctly
translated words).
[0217] Task 2 (e.g., find specific words and/or phrases) has no
task ordering (i.e., is independent of the results of other
sub-tasks), is to be performed on data partitions 2_1 through
2.sub.--z by DT execution modules 3_1, 4_1, 5_1, 6_1, and 7_1. For
instance, DT execution modules 3_1, 4_1, 5_1, 6_1, and 7_1 search
for specific words and/or phrases in data partitions 2_1 through
2.sub.--z to produce task 2 intermediate results (R2, which is a
list of specific words and/or phrases).
[0218] Task 3_2 (e.g., find specific translated words and/or
phrases) is ordered after task 1_3 (e.g., translate) is to be
performed on partitions R1-3_1 through R1-3.sub.--z by DT execution
modules 1_2, 2_2, 3_2, 4_2, and 5_2. For instance, DT execution
modules 1_2, 2_2, 3_2, 4_2, and 5_2 search for specific translated
words and/or phrases in the partitions of the translated data
(R1-3_1 through R1-3.sub.--z) to produce task 3_2 intermediate
results (R3-2, which is a list of specific translated words and/or
phrases).
[0219] For each task, the intermediate result information indicates
which DST unit is responsible for overseeing execution of the task
and, if needed, processing the partial results generated by the set
of allocated DT execution units. In addition, the intermediate
result information indicates a scratch pad memory for the task and
where the corresponding intermediate results are to be stored. For
example, for intermediate result R1-1 (the intermediate result of
task 1_1), DST unit 1 is responsible for overseeing execution of
the task 1_1 and coordinates storage of the intermediate result as
encoded intermediate result slices stored in memory of DST
execution units 1-5. In general, the scratch pad is for storing
non-DS encoded intermediate results and the intermediate result
storage is for storing DS encoded intermediate results.
[0220] FIGS. 33-38 are schematic block diagrams of the distributed
storage and task network (DSTN) module performing the example of
FIG. 30. In FIG. 33, the DSTN module accesses the data 92 and
partitions it into a plurality of partitions 1-z in accordance with
distributed storage and task network (DST) allocation information.
For each data partition, the DSTN identifies a set of its DT
(distributed task) execution modules 90 to perform the task (e.g.,
identify non-words (i.e., not in a reference dictionary) within the
data partition) in accordance with the DST allocation information.
From data partition to data partition, the set of DT execution
modules 90 may be the same, different, or a combination thereof
(e.g., some data partitions use the same set while other data
partitions use different sets).
[0221] For the first data partition, the first set of DT execution
modules (e.g., 1_1, 2_1, 3_1, 4_1, and 5_1 per the DST allocation
information of FIG. 32) executes task 1_1 to produce a first
partial result 102 of non-words found in the first data partition.
The second set of DT execution modules (e.g., 1_1, 2_1, 3_1, 4_1,
and 5_1 per the DST allocation information of FIG. 32) executes
task 1_1 to produce a second partial result 102 of non-words found
in the second data partition. The sets of DT execution modules (as
per the DST allocation information) perform task 1_1 on the data
partitions until the "z" set of DT execution modules performs task
1_1 on the "zth" data partition to produce a "zth" partial result
102 of non-words found in the "zth" data partition.
[0222] As indicated in the DST allocation information of FIG. 32,
DST execution unit 1 is assigned to process the first through "zth"
partial results to produce the first intermediate result (R1-1),
which is a list of non-words found in the data. For instance, each
set of DT execution modules 90 stores its respective partial result
in the scratchpad memory of DST execution unit 1 (which is
identified in the DST allocation or may be determined by DST
execution unit 1). A processing module of DST execution 1 is
engaged to aggregate the first through "zth" partial results to
produce the first intermediate result (e.g., R1_1). The processing
module stores the first intermediate result as non-DS error encoded
data in the scratchpad memory or in another section of memory of
DST execution unit 1.
[0223] DST execution unit 1 engages its DST client module to slice
grouping based DS error encode the first intermediate result (e.g.,
the list of non-words). To begin the encoding, the DST client
module determines whether the list of non-words is of a sufficient
size to partition (e.g., greater than a Terabyte). If yes, it
partitions the first intermediate result (R1-1) into a plurality of
partitions (e.g., R1-1_1 through R1-1.sub.--m). If the first
intermediate result is not of sufficient size to partition, it is
not partitioned.
[0224] For each partition of the first intermediate result, or for
the first intermediate result, the DST client module uses the DS
error encoding parameters of the data (e.g., DS parameters of data
2, which includes 3/5 decode threshold/pillar width ratio) to
produce slice groupings. The slice groupings are stored in the
intermediate result memory (e.g., allocated memory in the memories
of DST execution units 1-5).
[0225] In FIG. 34, the DSTN module is performing task 1_2 (e.g.,
find unique words) on the data 92. To begin, the DSTN module
accesses the data 92 and partitions it into a plurality of
partitions 1-z in accordance with the DST allocation information or
it may use the data partitions of task 1_1 if the partitioning is
the same. For each data partition, the DSTN identifies a set of its
DT execution modules to perform task 1_2 in accordance with the DST
allocation information. From data partition to data partition, the
set of DT execution modules may be the same, different, or a
combination thereof. For the data partitions, the allocated set of
DT execution modules executes task 1_2 to produce a partial results
(e.g., 1.sup.st through "zth") of unique words found in the data
partitions.
[0226] As indicated in the DST allocation information of FIG. 32,
DST execution unit 1 is assigned to process the first through "zth"
partial results 102 of task 1_2 to produce the second intermediate
result (R1-2), which is a list of unique words found in the data
92. The processing module of DST execution 1 is engaged to
aggregate the first through "zth" partial results of unique words
to produce the second intermediate result. The processing module
stores the second intermediate result as non-DS error encoded data
in the scratchpad memory or in another section of memory of DST
execution unit 1.
[0227] DST execution unit 1 engages its DST client module to slice
grouping based DS error encode the second intermediate result
(e.g., the list of non-words). To begin the encoding, the DST
client module determines whether the list of unique words is of a
sufficient size to partition (e.g., greater than a Terabyte). If
yes, it partitions the second intermediate result (R1-2) into a
plurality of partitions (e.g., R1-2_1 through R1-2.sub.--m). If the
second intermediate result is not of sufficient size to partition,
it is not partitioned.
[0228] For each partition of the second intermediate result, or for
the second intermediate results, the DST client module uses the DS
error encoding parameters of the data (e.g., DS parameters of data
2, which includes 3/5 decode threshold/pillar width ratio) to
produce slice groupings. The slice groupings are stored in the
intermediate result memory (e.g., allocated memory in the memories
of DST execution units 1-5).
[0229] In FIG. 35, the DSTN module is performing task 1_3 (e.g.,
translate) on the data 92. To begin, the DSTN module accesses the
data 92 and partitions it into a plurality of partitions 1-z in
accordance with the DST allocation information or it may use the
data partitions of task 1_1 if the partitioning is the same. For
each data partition, the DSTN identifies a set of its DT execution
modules to perform task 1_3 in accordance with the DST allocation
information (e.g., DT execution modules 1_1, 2_1, 3_1, 4_1, and 5_1
translate data partitions 2_1 through 2_4 and DT execution modules
1_2, 2_2, 3_2, 4_2, and 5_2 translate data partitions 2_5 through
2.sub.--z). For the data partitions, the allocated set of DT
execution modules 90 executes task 1_3 to produce partial results
102 (e.g., 1.sup.st through "zth") of translated data.
[0230] As indicated in the DST allocation information of FIG. 32,
DST execution unit 2 is assigned to process the first through "zth"
partial results of task 1_3 to produce the third intermediate
result (R1-3), which is translated data. The processing module of
DST execution 2 is engaged to aggregate the first through "zth"
partial results of translated data to produce the third
intermediate result. The processing module stores the third
intermediate result as non-DS error encoded data in the scratchpad
memory or in another section of memory of DST execution unit 2.
[0231] DST execution unit 2 engages its DST client module to slice
grouping based DS error encode the third intermediate result (e.g.,
translated data). To begin the encoding, the DST client module
partitions the third intermediate result (R1-3) into a plurality of
partitions (e.g., R1-3_1 through R1-3.sub.--y). For each partition
of the third intermediate result, the DST client module uses the DS
error encoding parameters of the data (e.g., DS parameters of data
2, which includes 3/5 decode threshold/pillar width ratio) to
produce slice groupings. The slice groupings are stored in the
intermediate result memory (e.g., allocated memory in the memories
of DST execution units 2-6 per the DST allocation information).
[0232] As is further shown in FIG. 35, the DSTN module is
performing task 1_4 (e.g., retranslate) on the translated data of
the third intermediate result. To begin, the DSTN module accesses
the translated data (from the scratchpad memory or from the
intermediate result memory and decodes it) and partitions it into a
plurality of partitions in accordance with the DST allocation
information. For each partition of the third intermediate result,
the DSTN identifies a set of its DT execution modules 90 to perform
task 1_4 in accordance with the DST allocation information (e.g.,
DT execution modules 1_1, 2_1, 3_1, 4_1, and 5_1 are allocated to
translate back partitions R1-3_1 through R1-3_4 and DT execution
modules 1_2, 2_2, 6_1, 7_1, and 7_2 are allocated to translate back
partitions R1-3_5 through R1-3.sub.--z). For the partitions, the
allocated set of DT execution modules executes task 1_4 to produce
partial results 102 (e.g., 1.sup.st through "zth") of re-translated
data.
[0233] As indicated in the DST allocation information of FIG. 32,
DST execution unit 3 is assigned to process the first through "zth"
partial results of task 1_4 to produce the fourth intermediate
result (R1-4), which is retranslated data. The processing module of
DST execution 3 is engaged to aggregate the first through "zth"
partial results of retranslated data to produce the fourth
intermediate result. The processing module stores the fourth
intermediate result as non-DS error encoded data in the scratchpad
memory or in another section of memory of DST execution unit 3.
[0234] DST execution unit 3 engages its DST client module to slice
grouping based DS error encode the fourth intermediate result
(e.g., retranslated data). To begin the encoding, the DST client
module partitions the fourth intermediate result (R1-4) into a
plurality of partitions (e.g., R1-4_1 through R1-4.sub.--z). For
each partition of the fourth intermediate result, the DST client
module uses the DS error encoding parameters of the data (e.g., DS
parameters of data 2, which includes 3/5 decode threshold/pillar
width ratio) to produce slice groupings. The slice groupings are
stored in the intermediate result memory (e.g., allocated memory in
the memories of DST execution units 3-7 per the DST allocation
information).
[0235] In FIG. 36, a distributed storage and task network (DSTN)
module is performing task 1_5 (e.g., compare) on data 92 and
retranslated data of FIG. 35. To begin, the DSTN module accesses
the data 92 and partitions it into a plurality of partitions in
accordance with the DST allocation information or it may use the
data partitions of task 1_1 if the partitioning is the same. The
DSTN module also accesses the retranslated data from the scratchpad
memory, or from the intermediate result memory and decodes it, and
partitions it into a plurality of partitions in accordance with the
DST allocation information. The number of partitions of the
retranslated data corresponds to the number of partitions of the
data.
[0236] For each pair of partitions (e.g., data partition 1 and
retranslated data partition 1), the DSTN identifies a set of its DT
execution modules 90 to perform task 1_5 in accordance with the DST
allocation information (e.g., DT execution modules 1_1, 2_1, 3_1,
4_1, and 5_1). For each pair of partitions, the allocated set of DT
execution modules executes task 1_5 to produce partial results 102
(e.g., 1.sup.st through "zth") of a list of incorrectly translated
words and/or phrases.
[0237] As indicated in the DST allocation information of FIG. 32,
DST execution unit 1 is assigned to process the first through "zth"
partial results of task 1_5 to produce the fifth intermediate
result (R1-5), which is the list of incorrectly translated words
and/or phrases. In particular, the processing module of DST
execution 1 is engaged to aggregate the first through "zth" partial
results of the list of incorrectly translated words and/or phrases
to produce the fifth intermediate result. The processing module
stores the fifth intermediate result as non-DS error encoded data
in the scratchpad memory or in another section of memory of DST
execution unit 1.
[0238] DST execution unit 1 engages its DST client module to slice
grouping based DS error encode the fifth intermediate result. To
begin the encoding, the DST client module partitions the fifth
intermediate result (R1-5) into a plurality of partitions (e.g.,
R1-5_1 through R1-5.sub.--z). For each partition of the fifth
intermediate result, the DST client module uses the DS error
encoding parameters of the data (e.g., DS parameters of data 2,
which includes 3/5 decode threshold/pillar width ratio) to produce
slice groupings. The slice groupings are stored in the intermediate
result memory (e.g., allocated memory in the memories of DST
execution units 1-5 per the DST allocation information).
[0239] As is further shown in FIG. 36, the DSTN module is
performing task 1_6 (e.g., translation errors due to non-words) on
the list of incorrectly translated words and/or phrases (e.g., the
fifth intermediate result R1-5) and the list of non-words (e.g.,
the first intermediate result R1-1). To begin, the DSTN module
accesses the lists and partitions them into a corresponding number
of partitions.
[0240] For each pair of partitions (e.g., partition R1-1_1 and
partition R1-5_1), the DSTN identifies a set of its DT execution
modules 90 to perform task 1_6 in accordance with the DST
allocation information (e.g., DT execution modules 1_1, 2_1, 3_1,
4_1, and 5_1). For each pair of partitions, the allocated set of DT
execution modules executes task 1_6 to produce partial results 102
(e.g., 1.sup.st through "zth") of a list of incorrectly translated
words and/or phrases due to non-words.
[0241] As indicated in the DST allocation information of FIG. 32,
DST execution unit 2 is assigned to process the first through "zth"
partial results of task 1_6 to produce the sixth intermediate
result (R1-6), which is the list of incorrectly translated words
and/or phrases due to non-words. In particular, the processing
module of DST execution 2 is engaged to aggregate the first through
"zth" partial results of the list of incorrectly translated words
and/or phrases due to non-words to produce the sixth intermediate
result. The processing module stores the sixth intermediate result
as non-DS error encoded data in the scratchpad memory or in another
section of memory of DST execution unit 2.
[0242] DST execution unit 2 engages its DST client module to slice
grouping based DS error encode the sixth intermediate result. To
begin the encoding, the DST client module partitions the sixth
intermediate result (R1-6) into a plurality of partitions (e.g.,
R1-6_1 through R1-6.sub.--z). For each partition of the sixth
intermediate result, the DST client module uses the DS error
encoding parameters of the data (e.g., DS parameters of data 2,
which includes 3/5 decode threshold/pillar width ratio) to produce
slice groupings. The slice groupings are stored in the intermediate
result memory (e.g., allocated memory in the memories of DST
execution units 2-6 per the DST allocation information).
[0243] As is still further shown in FIG. 36, the DSTN module is
performing task 1_7 (e.g., correctly translated words and/or
phrases) on the list of incorrectly translated words and/or phrases
(e.g., the fifth intermediate result R1-5) and the list of unique
words (e.g., the second intermediate result R1-2). To begin, the
DSTN module accesses the lists and partitions them into a
corresponding number of partitions.
[0244] For each pair of partitions (e.g., partition R1-2_1 and
partition R1-5_1), the DSTN identifies a set of its DT execution
modules 90 to perform task 1_7 in accordance with the DST
allocation information (e.g., DT execution modules 1_2, 2_2, 3_2,
4_2, and 5_2). For each pair of partitions, the allocated set of DT
execution modules executes task 1_7 to produce partial results 102
(e.g., 1.sup.st through "zth") of a list of correctly translated
words and/or phrases.
[0245] As indicated in the DST allocation information of FIG. 32,
DST execution unit 3 is assigned to process the first through "zth"
partial results of task 1_7 to produce the seventh intermediate
result (R1-7), which is the list of correctly translated words
and/or phrases. In particular, the processing module of DST
execution 3 is engaged to aggregate the first through "zth" partial
results of the list of correctly translated words and/or phrases to
produce the seventh intermediate result. The processing module
stores the seventh intermediate result as non-DS error encoded data
in the scratchpad memory or in another section of memory of DST
execution unit 3.
[0246] DST execution unit 3 engages its DST client module to slice
grouping based DS error encode the seventh intermediate result. To
begin the encoding, the DST client module partitions the seventh
intermediate result (R1-7) into a plurality of partitions (e.g.,
R1-7_1 through R1-7.sub.--z). For each partition of the seventh
intermediate result, the DST client module uses the DS error
encoding parameters of the data (e.g., DS parameters of data 2,
which includes 3/5 decode threshold/pillar width ratio) to produce
slice groupings. The slice groupings are stored in the intermediate
result memory (e.g., allocated memory in the memories of DST
execution units 3-7 per the DST allocation information).
[0247] In FIG. 37, the distributed storage and task network (DSTN)
module is performing task 2 (e.g., find specific words and/or
phrases) on the data 92. To begin, the DSTN module accesses the
data and partitions it into a plurality of partitions 1-z in
accordance with the DST allocation information or it may use the
data partitions of task 1_1 if the partitioning is the same. For
each data partition, the DSTN identifies a set of its DT execution
modules 90 to perform task 2 in accordance with the DST allocation
information. From data partition to data partition, the set of DT
execution modules may be the same, different, or a combination
thereof. For the data partitions, the allocated set of DT execution
modules executes task 2 to produce partial results 102 (e.g.,
1.sup.st through "zth") of specific words and/or phrases found in
the data partitions.
[0248] As indicated in the DST allocation information of FIG. 32,
DST execution unit 7 is assigned to process the first through "zth"
partial results of task 2 to produce task 2 intermediate result
(R2), which is a list of specific words and/or phrases found in the
data. The processing module of DST execution 7 is engaged to
aggregate the first through "zth" partial results of specific words
and/or phrases to produce the task 2 intermediate result. The
processing module stores the task 2 intermediate result as non-DS
error encoded data in the scratchpad memory or in another section
of memory of DST execution unit 7.
[0249] DST execution unit 7 engages its DST client module to slice
grouping based DS error encode the task 2 intermediate result. To
begin the encoding, the DST client module determines whether the
list of specific words and/or phrases is of a sufficient size to
partition (e.g., greater than a Terabyte). If yes, it partitions
the task 2 intermediate result (R2) into a plurality of partitions
(e.g., R2_1 through R2.sub.--m). If the task 2 intermediate result
is not of sufficient size to partition, it is not partitioned.
[0250] For each partition of the task 2 intermediate result, or for
the task 2 intermediate results, the DST client module uses the DS
error encoding parameters of the data (e.g., DS parameters of data
2, which includes 3/5 decode threshold/pillar width ratio) to
produce slice groupings. The slice groupings are stored in the
intermediate result memory (e.g., allocated memory in the memories
of DST execution units 1-4, and 7).
[0251] In FIG. 38, the distributed storage and task network (DSTN)
module is performing task 3 (e.g., find specific translated words
and/or phrases) on the translated data (R1-3). To begin, the DSTN
module accesses the translated data (from the scratchpad memory or
from the intermediate result memory and decodes it) and partitions
it into a plurality of partitions in accordance with the DST
allocation information. For each partition, the DSTN identifies a
set of its DT execution modules to perform task 3 in accordance
with the DST allocation information. From partition to partition,
the set of DT execution modules may be the same, different, or a
combination thereof. For the partitions, the allocated set of DT
execution modules 90 executes task 3 to produce partial results 102
(e.g., 1.sup.st through "zth") of specific translated words and/or
phrases found in the data partitions.
[0252] As indicated in the DST allocation information of FIG. 32,
DST execution unit 5 is assigned to process the first through "zth"
partial results of task 3 to produce task 3 intermediate result
(R3), which is a list of specific translated words and/or phrases
found in the translated data. In particular, the processing module
of DST execution 5 is engaged to aggregate the first through "zth"
partial results of specific translated words and/or phrases to
produce the task 3 intermediate result. The processing module
stores the task 3 intermediate result as non-DS error encoded data
in the scratchpad memory or in another section of memory of DST
execution unit 7.
[0253] DST execution unit 5 engages its DST client module to slice
grouping based DS error encode the task 3 intermediate result. To
begin the encoding, the DST client module determines whether the
list of specific translated words and/or phrases is of a sufficient
size to partition (e.g., greater than a Terabyte). If yes, it
partitions the task 3 intermediate result (R3) into a plurality of
partitions (e.g., R3_1 through R3.sub.--m). If the task 3
intermediate result is not of sufficient size to partition, it is
not partitioned.
[0254] For each partition of the task 3 intermediate result, or for
the task 3 intermediate results, the DST client module uses the DS
error encoding parameters of the data (e.g., DS parameters of data
2, which includes 3/5 decode threshold/pillar width ratio) to
produce slice groupings. The slice groupings are stored in the
intermediate result memory (e.g., allocated memory in the memories
of DST execution units 1-4, 5, and 7).
[0255] FIG. 39 is a diagram of an example of combining result
information into final results 104 for the example of FIG. 30. In
this example, the result information includes the list of specific
words and/or phrases found in the data (task 2 intermediate
result), the list of specific translated words and/or phrases found
in the data (task 3 intermediate result), the list of non-words
found in the data (task 1 first intermediate result R1-1), the list
of unique words found in the data (task 1 second intermediate
result R1-2), the list of translation errors due to non-words (task
1 sixth intermediate result R1-6), and the list of correctly
translated words and/or phrases (task 1 seventh intermediate result
R1-7). The task distribution module provides the result information
to the requesting DST client module as the results 104.
[0256] FIG. 40A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
dispersed storage network that includes a rebuilding module 350,
the network 24 of FIG. 1, and distributed storage and task (DST)
execution (EX) unit sets 1 and 2. Each DST execution unit set
includes a set of DST execution units 1-n. Each DST execution unit
may be implemented utilizing the DST execution unit 36 of FIG. 1.
The rebuilding module 350 may be implemented utilizing one or more
of the DST integrity processing unit 20 of FIG. 1, the DST
execution unit 36 of FIG. 1, and the DST processing unit 16 of FIG.
1.
[0257] The DSN functions to execute a plurality of rebuilding
cycles. Each rebuilding cycle includes detecting a storage error
and rebuilding stored data associated with the storage error. The
storage error includes one or more of a missing encoded data slice
and a corrupted encoded data slice. The executing of a rebuilding
cycle of the plurality of rebuilding cycles includes the rebuilding
module 350 exchanging rebuilding messages with one or more DST
execution units. The rebuilding messages includes one or more of a
list slice request, a list slice response, a list slice digest
request, a list slice digest response, a read slice request, a read
slice response, a write rebuilt slice request, and a write rebuilt
slice response.
[0258] In an example of the detecting of the storage error, the
rebuilding module 350 issues, via the network 24, a set of list
slice requests to the DST execution units 1-n of the DST execution
unit set 1, where the set of list slice requests correspond to an
address range 1. The address range includes a start address and an
end address, where the start and end addresses includes slice names
within the address range 1. The rebuilding module receives list
slice responses from at least some of the DST execution units 1-n.
Having received the list slice responses, the rebuilding module 350
compares lists of slice names of each of the list slice responses
to identify the storage error.
[0259] In an example of the rebuilding the stored data associated
with the storage error, the rebuilding module 350 issues, via the
network 24, a set of read slice requests to the DST execution units
1-n of the DST execution unit set 1, where the set of read slice
requests includes a set of slice names associated with a common
data segment and where the storage error is associated with a
common data segment. The rebuilding module 350 receives read slice
responses and dispersed storage error decodes the received read
slice responses to reproduce the data segment. Having reproduced
the data segment, the rebuilding module 350 dispersed storage error
encodes the rebuilt data segment to produce a rebuilt encoded data
slice associated with the identified storage error. The rebuilding
module 350 sends, via the network 24, the rebuilt encoded data
slice to a DST execution unit associated with the storage
error.
[0260] The executing of the plurality of rebuilding cycles may
further include establishing a rebuilding schedule. The rebuilding
schedule includes one or more of a desired time frame to
substantially complete a portion of the rebuilding cycle and a
desired time frame between rebuilding cycles. In an example of
operation of establishing the rebuilding schedule, the rebuilding
module 350 selects a rebuilding object. The rebuilding object
includes one or more of a data object, an address range, a memory
device, a DST execution unit, a storage unit, the set of storage
units, a set of DST execution units, and all DST execution units at
a common site. The selecting of the rebuilding object includes one
or more of identifying a next rebuilding object from a rebuilding
object list, receiving a request that includes identity of the
rebuilding object, and interpreting an error message.
[0261] Having selected the rebuilding object, the rebuilding module
350 determines a minimum retrieval reliability threshold level for
the rebuilding object. The determining may be based on one or more
of a data owner identifier, a data type, a data priority level, a
data recipient identifier, an expected retrieval efficiency, and an
expected storage duration. Having determined the minimum retrieval
reliability threshold level, the rebuilding module 350 determines a
time between rebuilding cycles for the rebuilding object such that
an expected retrieval reliability level is greater than the minimum
retrieval reliability threshold level. The determining may include
generating an expected retrieval reliability level versus time
between rebuilding cycles based on one or more of an information
dispersal algorithm type, a storage unit availability level, and a
network availability level.
[0262] For each rebuilding object, the rebuilding module 350
identifies a timestamp associated with a last rebuilding cycle. The
identifying includes one or more of performing a lookup,
interpreting an error message, issuing a query, and receiving a
query response. Having identified the timestamp, the rebuilding
module 350 determines a rebuilding schedule for the rebuilding
object based on the timestamp associated with the last rebuilding
cycle and the determined time between the rebuilding cycles, where
the rebuilding schedule includes at least one of a timestamp of a
next rebuilding cycle.
[0263] Having determined the rebuilding schedule, the rebuilding
module 350 facilitates execution of the next rebuilding cycle in
accordance with the rebuilding schedule. For example, when a
current time substantially the same as a timestamp of the next
rebuilding cycle, the rebuilding module 350 issues, via the network
24, additional rebuilding messages to one or more DST execution
units to identify the storage error and rebuild stored data
associated with the storage error.
[0264] FIG. 40B is a flowchart illustrating an example of
establishing a schedule for a rebuilding cycle. The method begins
or continues at step 352 where a processing module (e.g., of a
rebuilding module) selects a rebuilding object. The selecting
includes at least one of identifying a next object from a
rebuilding object list, interpreting an error message associated
with the rebuilding object, and receiving a rebuilding request. The
method continues at step 354 where the processing module determines
a minimum retrieval reliability threshold level for the rebuilding
object. For example, the processing module determines the minimum
reliability threshold level by performing a lookup of a reliability
table based on an identifier of a data type associated with the
rebuilding object.
[0265] The method continues at step 356 where the processing module
determines a time between rebuilding cycles for the rebuilding
objects such that an expected retrieval reliability level is
greater than the minimum retrieval reliability threshold level. For
example, the processing module generates an expected retrieval
reliability level versus time between rebuilding cycles based on a
profile associated with an information dispersal algorithm type
associated with the rebuilding object.
[0266] The method continues at step 358 where the processing module
identifies a timestamp associated with a last rebuilding cycle of
the rebuilding object. The identifying includes at least one of
performing a lookup, issuing a query, receiving a query response,
and interpreting a rebuilding message record. The method continues
at step 360 where the processing module determines a rebuilding
schedule for the rebuilding object based on the time between
rebuilding cycles and the timestamp associated with the last
rebuilding cycle. For example, the processing module adds the time
between rebuilding cycles to the timestamp associated with the last
rebuilding cycle to produce a timestamp associated with a next
rebuilding cycle. Having produced the timestamp associated with the
next rebuilding cycle, the processing module generates the
rebuilding schedule to include the timestamp associated with the
next rebuilding cycle.
[0267] The method continues at step 362 where the processing module
facilitates execution of the next rebuilding cycle in accordance
with the rebuilding schedule. For example, the processing module
sends the rebuilding schedule to at least one other rebuilding
module and initiates the rebuilding cycle when a current timestamp
is substantially the same as the timestamp of the next rebuilding
cycle. The initiating of the rebuilding cycle includes detecting a
storage error for the rebuilding object and rebuilding an encoded
data slice when a storage error has been identified.
[0268] FIG. 41A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a dispersed storage network that includes the outbound
distributed storage and task (DST) processing module 80 of FIG. 3,
the network 24 of FIG. 1, the inbound DST processing module 82 of
FIG. 3, and the DSTN module 22 of FIG. 1. The DSTN module 22
includes a plurality of DST execution units 36 of FIG. 1. The
outbound DST processing module 80 includes the dispersed storage
(DS) error encoding 112 of FIG. 4. The DS error encoding 112
includes the segment security processing 144 of FIG. 6, the control
module 116 of FIG. 6, and the error encoding 146 of FIG. 6. The
inbound DST processing module 82 includes the DS error decoding 182
of FIG. 13. The DS error decoding 182 includes the error decoding
206 of FIG. 16 and the inverse segment security processing 208 of
FIG. 16.
[0269] The DSN functions to adjust data storage efficiency of a
data segment 152 that is to be stored as an encoded data slice set
368 in the DSTN module 22. In an example of operation, for the data
segment 152 to be stored, the control module 116 obtains access
level information 364. The access level information 364 includes
one or more of an estimated retrieval frequency level of the data
segment 152 and an estimated update frequency level of the data
segment 152. The obtaining includes at least one of receiving,
performing a lookup, and determining based on a historical
record.
[0270] Having obtained the access level information 364, the
control module 116 determines a cost of compression factor based on
resource information 366. The resource information 366 includes one
or more of a network capacity level, a network utilization level, a
DST execution unit capacity level, a DST execution unit utilization
level, a utilization level of the outbound DST processing module
80, and a utilization level of the inbound DST processing module
82. The cost of compression factor includes one or more of an
estimated incremental processing resource level, and an estimated
incremental network utilization reduction level. The determining
includes calculating the cost of compression factor based on one or
more portions of the resource information 366. For example, the
control module 116 determines a less than average cost of
compression factor when the resource information 366 indicates that
the utilization level of the outbound DST processing module 80 is
less than average. As another example, the control module 116
determines a greater than average cost of compression factor when
the resource information 366 indicates that the utilization level
of the outbound DST processing module 80 is greater than
average.
[0271] When the estimated retrieval frequency level is below a
retrieval frequency threshold level and the estimated update
frequency level is greater than an update frequency threshold
level, the control module 116 indicates, via control 160, to
compress the data segment 152 when the cost of compression factor
is below a cost of compression threshold level. When the estimated
retrieval frequency level is above the retrieval frequency
threshold level, the control module 116 determines a cost of
decompression factor based on the resource information 366. The
cost of decompression factor includes one or more of an estimated
incremental processing resource level and an estimated incremental
network utilization increase level. For example, the control module
116 determines a less than average cost of decompression factor
when the resource information 366 indicates that the utilization
level of the inbound DST processing module 82 is less than average.
As another example, the control module 116 determines a greater
than average cost of decompression factor when the resource
information 366 indicates that the utilization level of the inbound
DST processing module 82 is greater than average.
[0272] When the estimated update frequency level is less than the
update frequency threshold level, the control module 116 indicates
to compress a data segment 152 when the cost of decompression
factor is favorable (e.g., less than or equal to average). When the
estimated update frequency level is greater than the update
frequency threshold level, the control module 116 indicates to
compress the data segment 152 when a cost factor is favorable,
where the cost factor is based on the cost of compression factor
and the cost of decompression factor. For example, the control
module indicates to compress the data segment 152 when the cost of
compression factor is average and the cost of decompression factor
is average.
[0273] The segment security processing 144 compresses the data
segment 152 in accordance with the control 160 to produce a secured
segment 154 (e.g., not compressed or compressed). The error
encoding 146 dispersed storage error encodes the secured segment
154 to produce encoded data 156, where the encoded data 156
includes the encoded data slice set 368. The outbound DST
processing module 80 sends the encoded data slice set 368, via the
network 24, to the DSTN module 22 for storage.
[0274] When the data segment 152 is to be retrieved, the inbound
DST processing module 82 acquires at least a decode threshold
number of the encoded data slice set 368 from the DSTN module 22 as
the encoded data 156. For example, the inbound DST processing
module 82 issues read slice requests, via the network 24, to the
DSTN module 22 and receives read slice responses that includes the
at least a decode threshold number of encoded data slices. Having
received the at least a decode threshold number of encoded data
slices, the error decoding 206 dispersed storage error decodes the
at least a decode threshold number of encoded data slices to
reproduce the secured segment 154. The inverse segment security
processing 208 and decompresses the secured segment 154 to
reproduce the data segment 152. The decompressing includes
detecting whether the secured segment 154 has been compressed. The
detecting may include detecting a bit pattern, interpreting a list,
and receiving an indication of compression.
[0275] FIG. 41B is a flowchart illustrating an example of adjusting
data storage efficiency. The method begins or continues at step 370
where a processing module (e.g., of a distributed storage and task
(DST) client module) obtains access information for data to be
stored. The obtaining includes at least one of receiving and
determining. The method continues at step 372 where the processing
module determines a cost of compression factor based on resource
information. The determining includes obtaining the resource
information and calculating cost of compression based on the
resource information. When a high retrieval frequency level for the
data is expected, the method branches to step 376. When a low
retrieval frequency level for the data is expected, the method
continues to step 374
[0276] When the estimated retrieval frequency level is less than a
retrieval frequency threshold level and an estimated update
frequency level is greater than an update frequency threshold
level, the method continues at step 374 where the processing module
indicates to compress the data when the cost of compression factor
is favorable (e.g., indicate to compress the data when the cost of
compression factor is less than a cost of compression threshold
level). The method branches to step 382
[0277] When the estimated retrieval frequency level is greater than
the retrieval frequency threshold level, the method continues at
step 376 where the processing module determines a cost of
decompression factor based on the resource information. When a high
update frequency level for the data is expected, the method
branches to step 380. When a low update frequency level of the data
for the data is expected, the method continues to step 378. When
the estimated update frequency level is less than the update
frequency threshold level, the method continues at step 378 where
the processing module indicates to compress the data when the cost
of decompression factor is favorable (e.g., indicate to compress
when the cost of decompression factor is less than a cost of
decompression threshold level). The method branches to step
382.
[0278] When the estimated update frequency level is greater than
the update frequency threshold level, the method continues at step
380 where the processing module indicates to compress the data when
a cost factor based on the cost of compression factor and the cost
of decompression factor is favorable. For example, the processing
module balances the cost of compression factor and the cost of
decompression factor and indicates to compress when the cost factor
is less than a cost factor threshold level.
[0279] The method continues at step 382 where the processing module
performs compression processing of the data in accordance with the
compression indication to produce process data. For example, the
processing module passes through the data when no compression is
indicated. As another example, the processing module compresses the
data in accordance with a compression approach when compression is
indicated. The method continues at step 384 where the processing
module dispersed storage error encodes the processed data to
produce one or more sets of encoded data slices for storage in a
distributed storage and task network (DSTN) module.
[0280] When retrieving the data, the method continues at step 386
where, for each of the one or more sets of encoded data slices, the
processing module retrieves at least a decode threshold number of
encoded data slices. For each of the one or more sets of encoded
data slices, the method continues at step 388 where the processing
module dispersed storage error decodes the decode threshold number
of retrieved encoded data slices to reproduce the processed data.
The method continues at step 390 where the processing module
performs decompression processing of the reproduced processed data
in accordance with a format of the reproduced processed data to
reproduce the data. For example, the processing module determines
whether compression was utilized (e.g., detect, performing a
lookup) and performs a decompression function on the reproduced
process data when determining that compression was utilized.
[0281] FIG. 42A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
segment security processing 144 of FIG. 6 that includes an
encryption module 400, a counter module 404, a key module 406, a
combining module 408, a key masking module 409, and a deterministic
function module 402. The encryption module 400 includes block
cipher modules 1-N. The deterministic function module 402 includes
deterministic functions 1-N and an exclusive OR module 411. The
block cipher modules 1-N may be implemented utilizing two or more
central processing units (CPUs). The deterministic functions 1-N
may be implemented utilizing two or more CPUs. The segment security
processing 144 functions to utilize a parallel processing approach
to secure a data segment 152 to produce a secured segment 154.
[0282] In an example of operation of the parallel processing
approach, the counter module 404 transforms a counter seed 412
based on a nonce 410 into values of counters 1-N in accordance with
a counter generation approach. The counter generation approach is
discussed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 42C. The key
module 406 generates a key 414. The generating includes at least
one of generating an encryption key based on a random number,
retrieving the key 414 from a local memory, and receiving the key
414 from a key distribution entity.
[0283] The block cipher modules 1-N substantially simultaneously
perform an encryption function on data 1-N using a corresponding
counter value 1-N and the key 414 to produce ciphertext 1-N, where
the data segment 152 includes data 1-N. For example, the encryption
module 400 partitions the data segment 152 to produce the data 1-N.
As another example, each block cipher module selects a
corresponding portion of the data segment 152 to produce a
corresponding data portion for encryption. As an example of
applying the encryption function, a first CPU executes operational
instructions in accordance with the block cipher module 1 to cause
the first CPU to perform the encryption function on the data 1
using the key 414 and the counter 1 to produce ciphertext 1
substantially simultaneously while a second CPU executes
operational instructions in accordance with the block cipher module
2 to cause the second CPU to perform the encryption function on the
data 2 using the key 414 and the counter 2 to produce ciphertext 2,
etc.
[0284] The deterministic functions 1-N performs a deterministic
function on the ciphertext 1-N to produce transformed ciphertext
1-N. The deterministic function includes one or more of a hash
based message authentication code a hashing function, a mask
generating function, a sponge function, and any other function that
produces a repeatable output for a given input using a one-way
function. For example, a third CPU executes operational
instructions in accordance with the deterministic function 1 to
cause the third CPU to perform the deterministic function on the
ciphertext 1 to produce the transformed ciphertext 1 substantially
simultaneously while a fourth CPU executes operational instructions
in accordance with the deterministic function 2 to cause the fourth
CPU to perform the deterministic function on the ciphertext 2 to
produce the transformed ciphertext 2.
[0285] The exclusive OR module 411 performs another deterministic
function on the transformed ciphertext 1-N to produce a mask 416.
The key masking module 409 performs a masking function on the key
414 using the mask 416 to produce a masked key 418. For example,
the key masking module 409 performs an exclusive OR function on the
key 414 and the mask 416 to produce the masked key 418. The
combining module 408 performs a combining function on the
ciphertext 1-N and the masked key 418 to produce the secured
segment 154. The combining includes at least one of pre-appending
the masked key to the ciphertext 1-N, post-appending the masked key
418 to the ciphertext 1-N, and interleaving the masked key 418 with
the ciphertext 1-N. Having produced the secured segment 154, the
secured segment 154 may be dispersed storage error encoded to
produce a set of secure encoded data slices for storage and/or
transmission.
[0286] FIG. 42B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a computing core 1 that includes the block cipher module 1 of
FIG. 42A. The computing core 1 may further be implemented utilizing
the computing core 26 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The block cipher module 1
includes a block cipher encryption module 420 and the exclusive OR
(XOR) module 411 of FIG. 42A. The block cipher module 1 functions
to apply an encryption function to data 1 to produce ciphertext 1
using a key 414 and a counter 1. In an example of operation, the
block cipher encryption module 420 encrypts the counter 1 with a
block cipher encryption algorithm using the key 414 to produce an
encrypted counter 1. The exclusive OR module 411 performs a
deterministic function on the data 1 and the encrypted counter 1 to
produce the ciphertext 1. For example, the exclusive OR module
performs an exclusive OR function on the data 1 and the encrypted
counter 1 to produce the ciphertext 1.
[0287] FIG. 42C is a schematic block diagram of the counter module
404 of FIG. 42A. The counter module 404 includes a permutation
module 424 and a deterministic function module 426. The counter
module 404 functions to transforms a counter seed 412 based on a
nonce 410 into values of counters 1-N in accordance with a counter
generation approach. The counter seed 412 includes a starting value
of a function, where the starting value may include one or more of
a predetermined value, a generated value based on another factor,
and a received value. The nonce 410 includes an arbitrary number,
where the arbitrary number may be generated based on one or more of
a random number and a pseudorandom number. As such, the nonce 410
provides a security improvement to the counter module ordered for
to prevent a subsequent replay attack.
[0288] In an example of operation of the transforming in accordance
with the counter generation approach, the permutation module 424
applies a permutation function to the counter seed 412 to produce
intermediate values 1-N, where each intermediate value is
incremented by x from a previous intermediate value and a first
intermediate value is based on the counter seed 412. For example,
the permutation module 424 applies the permutation function to the
counter seed 412 to produce an intermediate value 1 of 11, an
intermediate value 2 of 12, an intermediate value 3 of 13, etc.
when the counter seed is 10 and the permutation function increments
each successive intermediate value by one.
[0289] The deterministic function module 426 applies a
deterministic function to the nonce 410 and one of the intermediate
values 1-N to produce a corresponding counter value of the counter
values 1-N. For example, the deterministic function module 426
applies an exclusive OR function to intermediate value 1 and the
nonce 410 to produce the counter 1, the deterministic function
module 426 applies the exclusive OR function to intermediate value
2 and the nonce 410 to produce the counter 2, etc.
[0290] FIG. 42D is a flowchart illustrating an example of securing
data. The method begins or continues at step 430 where a processing
module (e.g., of a distributed storage and task (DST) client
module) transforms a counter seed into a set of counter values. The
method continues at step 432 where the processing module obtains
and encryption key. The obtaining includes at least one of
retrieving, receiving, generating based on a random number, and
generating based on a pseudo-random algorithm and a key seed.
[0291] The method continues at step 434 where the processing module
substantially simultaneously encrypts at least two portions of data
utilizing the encryption key and at least two of the set of counter
values to produce at least two ciphertexts. For example, the
processing module processes a first portion of the data using a
first central processing unit and processes a second portion of the
data using a second central processing unit.
[0292] The method continues at step 436 where the processing module
substantially simultaneously performs a deterministic function on
the at least two ciphertexts to produce at least two transformed
ciphertexts. For example, the processing module processes a first
ciphertext using a third central processing unit and processes a
second ciphertext using a fourth central processing unit.
[0293] The method continues at step 438 where the processing module
performs an exclusive OR function on the at least two transformed
ciphertexts to produce a mask. Alternatively, the processing module
performs another deterministic function on the at least two
transformed ciphertexts to produce the mask.
[0294] The method continues at step 440 where the processing module
masks the encryption key using the mask to produce a masked key.
The masking includes applying a masking function. For example, the
processing module performs the exclusive OR function on the
encryption key and the mask to produce the masked key when the
masking function includes the exclusive OR function.
[0295] The method continues at step 442 where the processing module
combines the at least two ciphertexts and the masked key to produce
secure data. For example, the processing module appends the masked
key to the at least two ciphertexts to produce the secure data. As
another example, the processing module interleaves the masked key
with the at least two ciphertexts to produce the secure data.
[0296] FIG. 43A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a dispersed storage network (DSN) that includes a rebuilding
module 450, the network 24 of FIG. 1, and the DST execution unit 36
of FIG. 1. The rebuilding module 450 may be implemented utilizing
the rebuilding module 350 of FIG. 40A. The DST execution unit 36
includes the memory 88 of FIG. 3. The DSN functions to efficiently
identify encoded data slices stored in the memory 88.
[0297] In an example of operation of the identifying of the encoded
data slices stored in the memory 88, the rebuilding module 450
issues, via the network 24, a list range request 1 that identifies
a start slice name range and an end slice name range. The encoded
data slices stored in the memory 88 are associated with slice
names. The DST execution unit 36 is associated with a stored slice
name range, where the stored slice name range includes slice names
of the stored encoded data slices. The stored slice name range
includes a range of the list range request. For example, the start
slice name range and the end slice name range fall within the
stored slice name range.
[0298] The DST execution unit 36 receives the list range request 1.
Having received the list range request 1, the DST execution unit 36
identifies slice names 452 associated with stored encoded data
slices corresponding to the list range request 1. For example, the
DST execution unit 36 identifies slices A-1-1, A-1-2, through A-1-M
as the slice names that fall within the slice name range of the
request.
[0299] Having identified the slice names of the stored encoded data
slices associated with the request, the DST execution unit 36, for
a first slice name 452 of the slice name range, generates a first
portion of a list range response 1 that includes the first slice
name (e.g., A-1-1) in a slice name field 452, an entry of a slice
revision count field 454 corresponding to the first slice name,
and, for each identified revision, the slice revision entry of a
slice revision field 456 and a slice length entry of a slice length
field 458.
[0300] Having generated the first portion of the list range
response 1, the DST execution unit 36, for each remaining slice
name of the slice name range, generates further portions of the
list range response 1 that includes a representation of the
remaining slice name in a slice name offset field 460, an entry of
another slice revision count field 454 for the remaining slice
name, and, for each identified revision of the remaining slice
name, a slice revision entry of another slice revision field 456
and a slice length entry of another slice length field 458.
[0301] The representation of the remaining slice name includes at
least one of an offset from the first slice name based on the
remaining slice name, and a result of applying a deterministic
function to the first slice name and the remaining slice name. For
example, the DST execution unit 36 generates the representation of
the remaining slice name as 10 when the remaining slice name (e.g.,
A-1-11) is offset by 10 from the first slice name. As such, a size
efficiency is provided as successive slice name offset fields are
smaller in size (e.g., 4-24 bytes) than the slice name field (e.g.,
48 bytes).
[0302] FIG. 43B is a flowchart illustrating an example of
identifying stored slices. The method begins or continues at step
462 where a processing module (e.g., of a distributed storage and
task (DST) client module) receives a list range request from a
requesting entity, where the request includes a slice name range.
The method continues at step 464 where the processing module
identifies slice names of stored slices that correspond to the
slice name range. For example, the processing module identifies
slice names of stored encoded data slices where the slice names
fall within the slice name range.
[0303] The method continues at step 466 where, for a first slice
name of the slice name range, the processing module generates a
first portion of a list range response that includes the first
slice name and one or more other parameters of one or more
revisions of stored slices associated with the first slice name.
The other parameters includes one or more of a slice revision count
of the number of the one or more revisions, a slice revision number
for each slice revision, and a slice length of the stored slice of
each slice revision.
[0304] The method continues at step 468 where, for each remaining
slice name of the slice name range, the processing module generates
another portion of the list range response that includes a
representation of the remaining slice name and one or more other
parameters of one or more revisions of stored slices associated
with the remaining slice name. For example, the processing module
generates the other portion of the list range response to include
an offset from the first slice name as the representation of the
remaining slice name. The method continues at step 470 where the
processing module sends the list range response to the requesting
entity.
[0305] FIG. 44A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a dispersed storage network (DSN) that includes the distributed
storage and task network (DSTN) managing unit 18 of FIG. 1, and a
plurality of vault groups. Each vault group includes a plurality of
DSN entities including one or more of a plurality of user devices
1-M, a plurality of distributed storage and task (DST) processing
units 1-N, and a DST execution unit set. Each DST execution unit
set includes a set of DST execution units 1-n. Each DST execution
unit may be implemented utilizing the DST execution unit 36 of FIG.
1. Each of the plurality of user devices and the plurality of DST
processing units includes the DST client module 34 of FIG. 1. The
plurality of user devices may be implemented with the user device
12 of FIG. 1. Each of the DST processing units may be implemented
using the DST processing unit 16 of FIG. 1.
[0306] The system functions to distribute registry information 476
from the DSTN managing unit 18 to the plurality of vault groups in
accordance with a distribution scheme. The registry information 476
includes one or more of hardware configuration information,
software version information, software, software configuration
information, user group affiliation information, an access control
list, system namespace information (e.g., virtual DSN addressing
approach), and vault information. The vault information includes
one or more of DSN address ranges, slice name ranges, system entity
mapping to a vault, and vault parameters. The vault parameters
includes one or more of an information dispersal algorithm (IDA)
width, an IDA identifier, an encoding matrix, a decoding matrix, a
write threshold value, a read threshold value, and a decode
threshold value. In an example of operation of distributing the
registry information, the DSTN managing unit 18 generates the
registry information 476.
[0307] The DSN entities of each vault group share one or more
common affiliations. The affiliations includes one or more of a
device type affiliation (e.g., user devices, DST processing units,
DST execution units), a user group affiliation (e.g., subgroups of
user devices), an address range affiliation (e.g., common DSN
address ranges associated with a portion of the vault group), and
resource group affiliations (e.g., a mapping of two or more DSN
entities of the vault group to a resource pool such as a first DST
processing unit maps to the set of DST execution units 1-n).
[0308] The distribution scheme includes one or more of sending the
registry information 476 directly to each DSN entity of each vault
group, sending the registry information 476 to a subset of the DSN
entities of each vault group, and sending the registry information
476 to one or more DSN entities of a subset of the vault groups.
For example, the DSTN managing unit 18 directly sends the registry
information 476 to every user device, every DST processing unit,
and every DST execution unit of the DSN. As another example, the
DSTN managing unit 18 sends the registry information 476 to a first
DST processing unit of each vault group, where the first DST
processing unit of each vault group forwards the registry
information 476 to remaining DSN entities of the vault group. As
yet another example, the DSTN managing unit 18 sends the registry
information 476 to the first DST processing unit of the first vault
group, where the first DST processing unit facilitates further
distribution of the registry information 476 to remaining DSN
entities of the first vault group and all DSN entities of remaining
vault groups.
[0309] The distribution scheme may further include distribution of
the registry information 476 based on at least some of the one or
more common affiliations. For example, the first DST processing
unit receives the registry information 476 and sends replicated
registry information 478 to the set of DST execution units 1-n of
the common vault group 1 when a first resource group affiliation
includes the first DST processing unit and the set of DST execution
units 1-n.
[0310] As a specific example, the DSTN managing unit 18 obtains the
registry information 476. The obtaining includes at least one of
updating a previous registry information to produce the registry
information 476 based on received updates, generating the registry
information 476 for initialization of the DSN based on receiving
manager inputs, and retrieving the registry information 476 from at
least one of a local memory and from a set of DST execution units
(e.g., recover a decode threshold number of encoded registry
slices, dispersed storage error decode the decode threshold number
of encoded registry slices to reproduce the registry
information).
[0311] Having obtained the registry information 476, the DSTN
managing unit 18 obtains the distribution scheme. The obtaining
includes one or more of generating, selecting, identifying,
retrieving, performing a lookup, utilizing a predetermination,
initiating a query, and receiving a query response. Having obtained
the distribution scheme, the DSTN managing unit 18 selects, based
on the distribution scheme, one or more DSN entities for a first
distribution of the registry information 476. For example, the DSTN
managing unit 18 selects DST processing unit 1 when the
distribution scheme includes utilizing one DSN entity of one vault
group to start distribution and the DST processing unit 1 is
affiliated with other DSN entities of the vault group 1.
[0312] Having selected the one or more DSN entities for the first
distribution, the DSTN managing unit 18 sends the registry
information 476 to the selected one or more DSN entities. Each of
the selected one or more DSN entities receives the registry
information 476 and updates a local copy of the registry
information with received registry information. Each of the
selected one or more DSN entities replicates the received registry
information to produce the replicated registry information 478. The
replicating includes one or more of copying, encoding, compressing,
decompressing, transforming, and appending additional information
(e.g., an identifier of the DSN entity, a timestamp corresponding
to when the registry information was received, a target list of
identifiers of remaining DSN entities of the vault group for
distribution).
[0313] Having replicated the received registry information, each of
the selected one or more DSN entities identifies one or more other
successive distribution entities based on at least some of the one
or more common affiliations. For example, the DST processing unit 1
identifies the DST execution units 1-n as part of a common resource
group, identifies DST processing units 2-N as another common
resource group, and user device 1 as yet another common resource
group.
[0314] Having identified the one or more other successive
distribution entities, each of the selected one or more DSN
entities sends the replicated registry information 478 to the
identified one or more other successive distribution entities. Each
of the one or more successive distribution entities locally stores
the replicated registry information 478 and may further distribute
the replicated registry information 478 to even more successive
distribution entities as described above. For example, the DST
processing unit N of vault group 1 sends the replicated registry
information to the DST processing unit 1 of the vault group 2 to
further distributes the replicated registry information 478 to the
DSN entities associated with the vault group 2. The distribution
may further include modifying the target list of identifiers of the
remaining DSN entities for distribution to indicate when one of the
remaining DSN entities has received the replicated registry
information 478.
[0315] FIG. 44B is a flowchart illustrating an example of
distributing registry information. The method begins or continues
at step 480 where a processing module (e.g., a plurality of
processing modules of a plurality of computing devices) obtains
registry information. For example, the processing module updates
previous registry information based on receiving a manager input.
For instance, the processing module updates a dispersed storage
network (DSN) address range associated with a first vault based on
the manager input.
[0316] The method continues at step 482 where the processing module
identifies one or more distribution entities. The identifying
includes one or more of accessing a list, interpreting an
affiliation of one or more DSN entities, and identifying a DSN
entities that have not received updated registry information. The
method continues at step 484 where the processing module sends the
registry information to the identified one or more distribution
entities. The method continues at step 486 where each distribution
entity updates a local copy of registry information based on
received registry information. The updating includes one or more of
overwriting a previous copy of the registry information, storing
the received registry information, and overwriting a portion of the
previous copy. For example, the processing module partitions the
received registry information to produce a portion of the registry
information that is associated with the processing module and
overwrites the local copy of registry information with the portion
of the registry information.
[0317] The method continues at step 488 where each distribution
entity generates replicated registry information based on the
received registry information. For example, the processing module
of appends a distribution entity identifier and a timestamp to the
received registry information to produce the replicated registry
information. The method may loop back to step 482 where the
processing module identifies one or more distribution entities for
further distribution of the replicated registry information as
registry information.
[0318] FIG. 45A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a dispersed storage network (DSN) that includes distributed
storage and task (DST) client modules 1-2, the network 24 of FIG.
1, and a DSTN module 22 of FIG. 1. The DSTN module 22 includes a
set of DST execution units 1-n. Each DST execution unit may be
implemented utilizing the DST execution unit 36 of FIG. 1. The DST
client modules 1-2 may each be implemented utilizing the DST client
module 34 of FIG. 1.
[0319] The DSN functions to provide access to registry information
490. In an example of operation of providing the access to the
registry information 490, at least one of the DST client modules
1-2 determines to access the registry information 490. The
determining may be based on one or more of receiving a request to
access the DSN, detecting activation of a new DSN entity, receiving
updated registry information, and detecting that a registry
information refresh timeframe has expired. For example, the DST
client module 1 determines to access the registry information 490
to store updated registry information when receiving the updated
registry information. As another example, the DST client module 2
determines to access the registry information to recover the
registry information when activating a new DSN entity.
[0320] Having determined to access the registry information 490,
the at least one of the DST client modules 1-2 selects a registry
information source name access method. The source name includes a
DSN address corresponding to storage of the registry information in
the DSTN module 22. The selecting may be based on one or more of a
predetermination, detecting whether a pre-stored source name
exists, and detecting whether the source name has been received.
The method includes one or more of using a predetermined source
name of the registry information, accessing a dispersed
hierarchical index to recover the source name, accessing a
directory to retrieve the source name, and accessing a distributed
hash table to extract the source name. For example, the DST client
module 1 selects the method of using the predetermined source name
of the registry information when detecting that the pre-stored
source name exists (e.g., a bootstrap parameter).
[0321] Having selected the registry information source name access
method, the at least one of the DST client modules 1-2 acquires the
source name of the registry information based on the selected
registry information source name access method. For example, the
DST client module 1 accesses a local memory to retrieve the source
name of the registry information.
[0322] Having acquired the source name of the registry information,
the at least one of the DST client modules 1-2 accesses the DSTN
module 22 using the source name of the registry information to
access the registry information. The accessing includes the at
least one of the DST client modules 1-2 generating a set of
registry slice names based on the source name and utilizing the set
of registry slice names to access the DSTN module 22. For example,
the DST client module 1, when storing the registry information,
dispersed storage error encodes the registry information 490 to
produce a set of encoded registry slices, issues a set of write
slice requests 492 to the DSTN module 22 that includes sending, via
the network 24, a set of write slice requests 1-n to the set of DST
execution units 1-n. The set of write slice requests 1-n includes
the set of registry slice names and the set of encoded registry
slices.
[0323] In an example of operation of retrieving the registry
information 490, the DST client module 2, issues a set of read
slice requests to the DSTN module 22 that includes sending, via the
network 24, a set of read slice requests 1-n to the set of DST
execution units 1-n, receiving at least some of a set of read slice
responses 1-n as read slice responses 494, and dispersed storage
error decoding received encoded registry slices extracted from the
received read slice responses to reproduce the registry information
490.
[0324] FIG. 45B is a flowchart illustrating an example of accessing
registry information. The method begins or continues at step 500
where a processing module (e.g., of a distributed storage and task
(DST) client module) determines to access registry information. For
example, the processing module receives a request that requires
registry information. The method continues at step 502 where the
processing module identifies an address acquisition method for a
dispersed storage network (DSN) address associated with the
registry information. The identifying may be based on one or more
of a predetermination, a registry information access failure
indicator, a DSN address access failure, a received method
indicator, initiating a query, and receiving a query response.
[0325] The method continues at step 504 where the processing module
acquires the DSN address associated with registry information in
accordance with the address acquisition method. For example, the
processing module retrieves a preprogrammed DSN address for the
registry information. As another example, the processing module
retrieves a DSN address for a DSN directory and accesses the DSN
directory using the DSN address of the DSN directory to obtain the
DSN address associated with registry information.
[0326] The method continues at step 506 where the processing module
accesses the DSN using the DSN address associated with the registry
information to access the registry information. For example, the
processing module generates at least one set of slice names based
on the DSN address associated with registry information. For
instance, the processing module generates each slice name to
include the DSN address associated with the registry information.
Having generated the at least one set of slice names, the
processing module issues a set of access requests to the DSN, where
the set of access requests includes the at least one set of slice
names.
[0327] FIG. 46A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a dispersed storage network that includes the distributed
storage and task network (DSTN) managing unit 18 of FIG. 1, the
network 24 of FIG. 1, the DSTN module 22 of FIG. 1, and the
distributed storage and task (DST) processing unit 16 of FIG. 1.
The DSTN managing unit 18 includes a registry information
distribution model 510 and a certificate authority module 512. Each
of the registry information distribution model 510 and a
certificate authority module 512 may be implemented utilizing one
or more of the DST client module 34 of FIG. 1, the processing
module 84 of FIG. 3, and the DST processing unit 16 of FIG. 1. The
registry information distribution model 510 includes the segment
security processing 144 of FIG. 6, the error encoding 146 of FIG.
6, the slicing 148 of FIG. 6, and the per slice security processing
150 of FIG. 6. The DSTN module 22 includes a set of DST execution
(EX) units 1-n. Each DST execution unit may be implemented
utilizing the DST execution unit 36 of FIG. 1. The DST processing
unit 16 includes a certificate verification module 514 and a
registry information verification module 516. Each of the
certificate verification module 514 and the registry information
verification module 516 may be implemented utilizing one or more of
the DST client module 34 of FIG. 1, the processing module 84 of
FIG. 3, and the DST processing unit 16 of FIG. 1. The registry
information verification module 516 includes the inverse per slice
security processing 202 of FIG. 16, the de-slicing 204 of FIG. 16,
the error decoding 206 of FIG. 16, and the inverse segment security
processing 208 of FIG. 16.
[0328] The DSN functions to distribute registry information 520 to
entities of the DSN. The registry information 520 includes one or
more of hardware configuration information, software version
information, software, software configuration information, user
group affiliation information, an access control list, system
namespace information, and vault information. The vault information
includes one or more of DSN address ranges, slicing ranges, system
entity vault affiliation, and vault parameters. The vault
parameters includes one or more of an information dispersal
algorithm (IDA) identifier, an IDA width, an encoding matrix, a
decoding matrix, a write threshold number, a read threshold number,
and a decode threshold number.
[0329] In an example of operation of the distributing of the
registry information 520, the certificate authority module 512
issues a certificate authority (CA) certificate 518 to a plurality
of entities of the DSN (e.g., modules and units of the DSN). The
issuing includes generating the CA certificate 518 and sending the
CA certificate 518 to the plurality of entities of the DSN. FIG.
46B illustrates an example of the CA certificate 518 where the
certificate authority module 512 generates the CA certificate 518
to include one or more of an identifier (ID) of the certificate
authority 542, an issued to ID (e.g., the ID of the certificate
authority) 544, a public key of the certificate authority 546, and
a signature over the certificate authority certificate 548. For
example, returning to FIG. 46A, the certificate authority module
512 generates a public/private key pair in accordance with a public
key infrastructure (PKI) approach, where the public/private key
pair includes the public key of the CA 546. As a specific example
of generating the signature over the CA certificate, the
certificate authority module 512 applies a hashing function over
the CA certificate to produce a hashed value and encrypts the
hashed value using the private key of the public/private key pair
to produce the signature over the CA certificate 548. As another
specific example of generating the signature to see certificate,
the certificate of 512 applies a signing function to the CA
certificate using the private key of the public/private keeper to
produce the signature over the CA certificate 548.
[0330] Having generated the CA certificate 518, certificate
authority 512 sends the CA certificate 518 to the plurality of
entities of the DSN. As a specific example, the certificate
authority 512 outputs the CA certificate 518 to the registry
information distribution module 510. As another specific example,
the certificate authority 512 sends, via the network 24, the CA
certificate 518 to the DST processing unit 16. The certificate
verification module 514 verifies the received CA certificate 518 to
produce a verified CA certificate 530. As a specific example, the
certificate verification module 514 applies the hashing function
over the received CA certificate 518 (e.g., not including the
signature) to produce a generated hashed value, extracts the public
key of the CA 546 from the received CA certificate 518, extracts
the signature over the CA certificate 548 from the received CA
certificate 518, decrypts the extracted signature utilizing the
extracted public key of the CA 546 to produce a recovered hashed
value, and indicates that the received CA certificate 518 is
favorably verified when the recovered hash value compares favorably
(e.g., substantially the same) to the generated hash value.
[0331] With the CA certificate 518 issued to the plurality of
entities of the DSN, the segment security processing module 144
obtains the registry information 520. The obtaining includes one or
more of generating the registry information based on system manager
input, receiving the registry information, and recovering the
registry information from the DSTN module 22. Having obtained the
registry information 520, the segment security processing 144
generates, as illustrated in FIG. 46C, a signed registry
information packet 522 that includes one or more of the registry
information 520, a certificate authority (CA) signed managing
unit's certificate 550, a registry information certificate 556, and
a CA signature for the signed registry information packet 564. The
managing unit refers to at least one of the DSTN managing unit 18,
the registry information distribution module 510 and the
certificate authority module 512.
[0332] The segment security processing 144 generates the CA signed
managing unit certificate 550 to include one or more of the ID of
the CA 542, an issued to ID of the managing unit 552, the public
key of the CA 546, and a signature over the managing unit
certificate 554 (e.g., over the ID of the CA 542, the issued to ID
552, and the public key of the CA 546) using the private key of the
public/private key pair generated by the certificate authority.
Having generated the managing unit certificate 550 the segment
security processing 144 generates the registry information
certificate 556 to include one or more of an identifier of the
managing unit 558, an issued to ID of the registry information 560
(e.g., an identifier of the registry information such as an
identifier associated with a unique revision number of the registry
information 520), a public key of the managing unit 562 (e.g., of a
public/private key pair generated by the managing unit), and a
signature over one or more of the registry information 522, the
registry information certificate 556, and the managing unit
certificate 560, using a private key of the public/private key pair
generated by the managing unit, as the CA signature for the signed
registry information packet 564.
[0333] With the signed registry information packet 522 generated,
the registry information distribution module 510 dispersed storage
error encodes the signed registry information packet 522 to produce
a set of encoded registry information slices 158. For example, the
error coding 146 matrix multiplies including matrix by the signed
registry information packet 522 to generate an encoded data matrix
as encoded data 156 and the slicing 148 performs a slicing
operation on rows of the encoded data matrix to produce the set of
encoded registry information slices 158 as sliced encoded data 158
(e.g., n slices when an information dispersal algorithm width is
n).
[0334] With the set of encoded registry information slices 158
produced, for an encoded registry information slice 568 of the set
of encoded registry information slices 158, the per slice security
processing 150 generates a signed encoded registry information
slice packet 566 as illustrated in FIG. 46D. As a specific example,
for each encoded registry information slice 568 of the set of
encoded registry information slices 158, the per slice security
processing 150 generates a unique signed encoded registry
information slice packet 566 to produce a set of n signed encoded
registry information slice packets 566. For instance, the per slice
security processing 150 generates the signed encoded registry
information slice packet 566 to include one or more of the encoded
registry information slice 568, the CA signed managing unit's
certificate 550, an encoded registry information slice certificate
570, and a CA signature for the signed encoded registry information
slice packet 574. The encoded registry information slice
certificate 570 includes the ID of the managing unit 558, an issued
to ID 572 of the corresponding encoded registry information slice
(e.g., an identifier of the encoded registry information slice such
as a sliced name), the public key of the managing unit 562, and a
signature over one or more of the encoded registry information
slice 568, the corresponding registry information certificate 556,
the encoded registry information slice certificate 570, and the
managing unit certificate 550.
[0335] Having generated the signed encoded registry information
slice packet 566, the registry information distribution module 510
outputs (e.g., via an interface of the DSTN managing unit 18)
signed encoded registry information slice packet 566 to a DST
execution unit (e.g., a storage unit) of the DSN (e.g., of the set
of DST execution units 1-n). For example, the registry information
distribution module 510 outputs the set of signed encoded registry
information slice packets 566 to storage units of the DSN, where
the set of signed encoded registry information slice packets 566
includes the signed encoded registry information slice packet and
the storage units includes the storage unit. For instance, the
registry information distribution module 510 generates a set of
write slice requests 526 that includes the set of signed registry
information slices 524 and sends, via the network 24, the set of
write slice requests 526 to the set of DST execution units 1-n such
that the set of DST execution units 1-N stores the set of signed
registry information slices 524.
[0336] In the example of operation of the distributing of the
registry information 520, the distributing further includes the DST
processing unit 16 recovering the registry information 520 from the
DSTN module 22. In an example of operation of the recovering of the
registry information 520, DST processing unit 16, having received
the signed CA certificate 518 to produce the verified CA
certificate 530, issues, via the network 24, read slice requests to
at least some of the DST execution units 1-n. Having issued the
read slice requests, the DST processing unit 16 receives, via the
number 24, at least a decode threshold number of read slice
responses 528, where each read slice response includes a
corresponding retrieved signed encoded registry information slice
packet. For example, the registry information verification module
516 retrieves, via an interface of the DST processing and 16, at
least a decode threshold number of signed encoded registry
information slice packets 532 of a set of signed encoded registry
information slice packets. Each signed encoded registry information
slice packet includes one or more of the encoded registry
information slice, the CA signed managing unit's certificate, the
encoded registry information slice certificate, and the CA
signature for the signed encoded registry information slice packet.
The encoded registry information slice certificate includes one or
more of the identifier of the managing unit, the identifier of the
encoded registry information slice, and the public key of the
managing unit. For each of the at least a decode threshold number
of signed encoded registry information slice packets, the inverse
per slice security processing 202 recovers an encoded registry
information slice by validating a certificate authority (CA) signed
managing unit's certificate of a signed encoded registry
information slice packet based on the verified CA certificate 530
to produce a valid managing unit's certificate, and validating the
signed encoded registry information slice packet based on the valid
managing unit's certificate. For example, the inverse per slice
security processing 202 validates the managing unit certificate 550
by verifying that a hash over the managing unit certificate 550 is
substantially the same as a decrypted signature over the managing
unit certificate using the public key of the certificate authority
546. As another example, the inverse per slice security processing
202 validates the signed encoded registry information slice packet
by verifying that a hash over the encoded registry information
slice 568, the managing unit certificate 550, and the encoded
registry information slice certificate 570 is substantially the
same as a decrypted signature over the encoded registry information
slice, the managing certificate, and the encoded registry
information slice certificate using the public key of the managing
unit 562 when the issue to ID 552 is substantially the same as the
ID of the managing unit 558.
[0337] With the decode threshold number of signed encoded registry
information slice packets verified, the inverse per slice security
processing 202 extracts a corresponding decode threshold number of
encoded registry information slices as verified sliced encoded data
534 from the verified decode threshold number of signed encoded
registry information slice packets. The registry information
verification module 516 dispersed storage error decodes at least a
decode threshold number of recovered encoded registry information
slices to produce a signed registry information packet as recovered
signed registry information 538. For example, the de-slicing 204
arranges the verified encoded registry information slices into a
decoding matrix as recovered encoded data 536 and the error
decoding 206 performs a dispersed storage error coding function on
the recovered encoded data 536 to produce the recovered signed
registry information 538 as the signed registry information packet.
The signed registry information packet includes one or more of the
registry information 520, a second CA signed managing unit's
certificate, the registry information certificate, and the CA
signature for the signed registry information packet. The registry
information certificate includes one or more of the identifier of
the managing unit, the identifier of the registry information, and
the public key of the managing unit.
[0338] With the signed registry information packet produced as the
recovered signed registry information 538, the inverse segment
security processing 208 validates the signed registry information
packet based on the valid managing unit's certificate by validating
the second CA signed managing unit's certificate of the signed
registry information packet based on the CA certificate to produce
the second valid managing unit's certificate. The second CA signed
managing unit's certificate includes one or more of the identifier
of the CA, the identifier of the managing unit, and the public key
of the CA. The inverse segment security processing 208 validates
the signed registry information packet based on the second valid
managing unit's certificate and extracts registry information as
verified registry information 540 from the signed registry
information packet when the signed registry information packet is
valid. In an instance of the validating, the inverse segment
security processing 208 verifies that a decrypted signature over
the managing unit certificate 550 matches a hash computed over the
managing unit certificate, the public key of the CA 546 of the
managing unit certificate 550 substantially matches a stored value
from the verified certificate authority certificate 530, the
identifier of the managing unit 558 within the registry information
certificate 556 matches the issue to identifier of the managing
unit 552 in the managing unit certificate 550, and a decrypted
signature (e.g., decrypt signature 564) over the registry
information 520, the registry information certificate 556, and the
managing unit certificate 550 using the public key of the managing
unit 562 substantially matches a hash computed over the same.
[0339] FIG. 46E is a flowchart illustrating an example of
distributing registry information. In particular, a method is
presented for use in conjunction with one or more functions and
features described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-39, 46A-D, and also
FIG. 46E. The method begins or continues at step 580 where a
processing module of a computing device of one or more computing
devices of a dispersed storage network (DSN) generates a signed
registry information packet that includes the registry information,
a certificate authority (CA) signed managing unit's certificate, a
registry information certificate, and a CA signature for the signed
registry information packet.
[0340] The method continues at step 582 where the processing module
dispersed storage error encodes the signed registry information
packet to produce a set of encoded registry information slices. For
an encoded registry information slice of the set of encoded
registry information slices, the method continues at step 584 with
a processing module generates a signed encoded registry information
slice packet that includes the encoded registry information slice,
the CA signed managing unit's certificate, an encoded registry
information slice certificate, and a CA signature for the signed
encoded registry information slice packet. Alternatively, or in
addition to, the processing module, for each encoded registry
information slice of the set of encoded registry information
slices, generates a unique signed encoded registry information
slice packet to produce a set of signed encoded registry
information slice packets.
[0341] The method continues at step 586 where the processing module
outputs the signed encoded registry information slice packet to a
storage unit of the DSN. Alternatively, or in addition to, the
processing module outputs the set of signed encoded registry
information slice packets to storage units of the DSN, where the
set of signed encoded registry information slice packets includes
the signed encoded registry information slice packet and the
storage units includes the storage unit.
[0342] The method continues at step 588 where the processing module
receives a signed certificate authority (CA) certificate. For
example, the processing module receives the sign CA certificate and
stores the signed CA certificate in a local memory.
[0343] The method continues at step 590 where the processing module
receives at least a decode threshold number of signed encoded
registry information slice packets of the set of signed encoded
registry information slice packets from at least some of the
storage units. For each of the at least a decode threshold number
of signed encoded registry information slice packets, the mother
continues at step 592 where the processing module recovers an
encoded registry information slice. For example, the processing
module validates a CA signed managing unit's certificate of a
signed encoded registry information slice packet based on the CA
certificate to produce a valid managing unit's certificate and
validates the signed encoded registry information slice packet
based on the valid managing unit's certificate (e.g., uses a public
key of the managing unit to validate a signature over the signed
encoded registry information slice packet).
[0344] The method continues at step 594 where the processing module
dispersed storage error decodes at least a decode threshold number
of recovered encoded registry information slices to produce a
signed registry information packet. The method continues at step
596 where the processing module validates the signed registry
information packet based on the valid managing unit's certificate.
For example, the processing module validates a second CA signed
managing unit's certificate of the signed registry information
packet based on the CA certificate to produce a second valid
managing unit's certificate and validates the signed registry
information packet based on the second valid managing unit's
certificate (e.g., uses a public key of the managing unit from the
second valid managing unit certificate to validate his signature
over the signed registry information packet). The method continues
at step 598 where the processing module extracts registry
information from the signed registry information packet when the
signed registry information packet is valid.
[0345] The method described above in conjunction with the
processing module can alternatively be performed by other modules
of the dispersed storage network or by other devices. In addition,
at least one memory section of a computer readable storage medium
that stores operational instructions can, when executed by one or
more processing modules of one or more computing devices of the
dispersed storage network (DSN), cause the one or more computing
devices to perform any or all of the method steps described
above.
[0346] FIGS. 47A-B are schematic block diagrams of another
embodiment of a dispersed storage network that includes the
distributed storage and task network (DSTN) managing unit 18 of
FIG. 1, the network 24 of FIG. 1, a plurality of dispersed storage
and task (DST) processing units 1-R, and the DSTN module 22 of FIG.
1. The DSTN managing unit 18 includes a deterministic function
module 600 and an access control list (ACL) publishing module 602.
The deterministic function module 600 and the ACL publishing module
602 may be implemented utilizing one or more of the DST client
module 34 of FIG. 1 and the processing module 84 of FIG. 3. Each
DST processing unit may be implemented utilizing the DST processing
unit 16 of FIG. 1. The DSTN module 22 includes a set of DST
execution units 1-n. Hereafter, the set of DST execution units may
be referred to interchangeably as a set of storage units. Each DST
execution unit may be implemented utilizing the DST execution unit
36 of FIG. 1. Each DST execution unit includes the deterministic
function module 600, the processing module 84 of FIG. 3, and the
memory 88 of FIG. 3.
[0347] The DSN functions to control access to the DSTN module 22,
where accessing includes one or more of storing data, reading
stored data, deleting the stored data, and listing the stored data.
FIG. 47A illustrates initial steps of the controlling access where
the deterministic function module 600 of the DSTN managing unit 18
performs a deterministic function on each access entity identifier
(ID) 604 corresponding to each of the plurality of DST processing
units 1-R to produce an obfuscated ID 606 for each of the plurality
of DST processing units 1-R. Hereafter, each DST processing unit
may be referred to interchangeably as one or more of a requesting
entity and a requesting unit. Hereafter, the access entity ID 604
may be referred to interchangeably as a unique identifier 604. For
instance, the DST processing unit 1 is associated with a
universally unique identifier (UUID) of 457.
[0348] The performing of the deterministic function includes one or
more of performing a hash function on the unique identifier 604,
performing a hash based message authentication code function on the
unique identifier 604, performing a mask generating function on the
unique identifier 604, performing a sponge function on the unique
identifier 604, and performing a cyclic redundancy check function
on the unique identifier 604. For example, the deterministic
function module 600 performs the hash function on a unique
identifier of 457 associated with the DST processing unit 1 to
produce an obfuscated ID 606 associated with the DST processing
unit 1.
[0349] With the obfuscated ID 606 produced, the ACL publishing
module 602 combines the obfuscated ID 606 with a corresponding
access permissions 608 to produce an obfuscated ACL 610. Hereafter,
the obfuscated ACL 610 may be referred to interchangeably as an
obfuscated access permissions list 610. The access permissions 608
includes positive and/or negative access rights for a requesting
entity associated with the obfuscated ID 606, where the access
rights are associated with one or more of a type of data access and
a DSN address (e.g., a slice name, a source name, a range of slice
names) associated with data of the access. The type of data access
includes at least one of a write request, a read request, a delete
request, and a list request. For example, the ACL publishing module
602 combines the obfuscated ID 606 associated with the DST
processing unit 1 and access permission 608 associated with the DST
processing unit 1 to produce the obfuscated ACL 610.
[0350] Having produced the obfuscated ACL 610, the ACL publishing
module 602 publishes the obfuscated ACL 610 to entities of the DSN.
For example, the ACL publishing module 602 sends, via the network
24, the obfuscated ACL 610 to each of the DST execution units 1-n
for storage. For example, the processing module 84 of the DST
execution unit n receives the obfuscated ACL 610 and stores the
obfuscated ACL 610 in the memory 88. For instance, the processing
module 84 stores the obfuscated ID 606 associated with the DST
processing unit 1 in the memory 88 and stores the access permission
608 associated with the obfuscated ID 606 in the memory 88.
[0351] FIG. 47B illustrates further steps of the controlling of the
access where the set of storage units receives a plurality of sets
of access requests 618 from the plurality of DST processing units
1-R (a plurality of requesting devices), where a requesting device
of the plurality of requesting device generates a set of access
requests 1-n of the plurality of sets of access requests 618
regarding a particular type of data access. Each access request
includes one or more of a requesting entity ID 612, an access type
614, and a DSN ID 616. For instance, the DST processing unit 1
generates an access request n to include the requesting entity ID
of 457, a write request access type 614, and an nth slice name as
the DSN ID 616, where the nth slice name corresponds to an nth
encoded data slice of a set of encoded data slices for retrieval;
and sends, via the network 24, the access request to the DST
execution unit n.
[0352] With the set of DST execution units 1-n receiving the
plurality of sets of access requests 618, for a first storage unit
of the set of storage units, the first storage unit receives a
first access request from each set of access requests of the
plurality of access requests to produce a group of first access
requests. The first access request includes at least one of a read
request, a write request, a delete request, and a list request. For
example, the processing module 84 of the DST execution unit n
produces the group of first access requests associated with nth
encoded data slices of sets of encoded data slices.
[0353] Having produced the group of first access requests, the
first storage unit extracts a unique identifier from each first
access request of the group of first access requests to produce a
first group of unique identifiers. For example, the DST execution
unit n extracts the unique identifier of 457 associated with the
DST processing unit 1 from each first access request to produce the
first group of unique identifiers.
[0354] Having produced the first group of unique identifiers, the
first storage unit, for a unique identifier of the first group of
unique identifiers, performs a deterministic function on the unique
identifier to produce a first obfuscated identifier. For example,
the deterministic function module 600 of the DST execution unit n
performs the hashing function on the requesting entity ID 612 of
the first access requests to produce an obfuscated requesting
entity ID 620 as the first obfuscated identifier. For instance, the
deterministic function module 600 performs the hashing function on
the universally unique ID of 457 of the DST processing unit 1 to
produce the corresponding obfuscated ID of the DST processing unit
1 as the obfuscated requesting entity ID 620.
[0355] Having produced the first obfuscated identifier, the first
storage unit seeks a first obfuscated access permissions list based
on the first obfuscated identifier. For example, the processing
module 84 accesses the memory 88 utilizing the obfuscated
requesting entity ID 620 to determine whether an entry of at least
one obfuscated ACL 610 corresponds to the obfuscated requesting
entity ID 620 of the access requests. For instance, the processing
module 84 indicates that the first obfuscated access permission
list is found when the obfuscated requesting entity ID 620 is
substantially the same as a recovered obfuscated ID 622 from the
memory 88 (e.g., as a result of storing the obfuscated ID 606 and
the memory 88).
[0356] When the first obfuscated access permissions list is not
found, the processing module 84 sends, via the network 24 a
rejection response to one or more of the DSTN managing unit 18 and
a first requesting device or ignores the first access request. When
the first obfuscated access permissions list is found based on the
first obfuscated identifier, the first storage unit recovers first
access permissions from the first obfuscated access permissions
list based on the first obfuscated identifier for the first
requesting device of the plurality of requesting devices associated
with the unique identifier of the first group of unique
identifiers. For example, the processing module 84 retrieves
recovered access permissions 624 from the memory 88, where the
recovered access permissions 624 that correspond to the recovered
obfuscated ID 622.
[0357] When recovering the first access permissions, the first
storage unit processes the first access request for the first
requesting device based on the recovered first access permissions.
The processing may include determining whether the first requesting
device has permission for the first access request based on the
recovered first access permissions. For example, the processing
module 84 of the DST execution unit n determines whether the DST
processing unit 1 has permission to write data when the access
request pertains to data storage and determines whether the DST
processing unit 1 has permission to access the slice name
associated with the DSN ID 616.
[0358] Alternatively, or in addition to, a second storage unit of
the set of storage units receives a second access request from each
set of access requests of the plurality of access requests to
produce a group of second access requests and extracts a unique
identifier from each second access request of the group of second
access requests to produce a second group of unique identifiers.
Having produced the second group of unique identifiers, for a
unique identifier of the second group of unique identifiers, the
second storage unit performs the deterministic function on the
unique identifier of the second group of unique identifiers to
produce a second obfuscated identifier and seeks a second
obfuscated access permissions list based on the second obfuscated
identifier, where the seeking the second obfuscated access
permissions list includes determining whether the second obfuscated
identifier references the first obfuscated access permissions list
and when the second obfuscated identifier does reference the first
obfuscated access permissions list, recovering the second access
permissions from the first obfuscated access permissions list based
on the second obfuscated identifier. When the second obfuscated
access permissions list is found based on the second obfuscated
identifier, a second storage unit recovers second access
permissions from the second obfuscated access permissions list
based on the second obfuscated identifier for a second requesting
device of the plurality of requesting devices associated with the
unique identifier of the second group of unique identifiers and
processes the second access request for the second requesting
device based on the recovered second access permissions.
[0359] Further alternatively, or in addition to, the first storage
unit of the set of storage units, for a second unique identifier of
the first group of unique identifiers, performs the deterministic
function on the second unique identifier to produce a second
obfuscated identifier and seeking a second obfuscated access
permissions list based on the second obfuscated identifier. When
the second obfuscated access permissions list is found based on the
second obfuscated identifier, the first storage unit recovers
second access permissions from the second obfuscated access
permissions list based on the second obfuscated identifier for a
second requesting device (e.g., DST processing unit R) of the
plurality of requesting devices associated with the second unique
identifier of the first group of unique identifiers and processes
the second access request for the second requesting device based on
the recovered second access permissions.
[0360] With the set of storage units, having processed the
plurality of sets of access requests 618, the plurality of
requesting devices receives a set of access responses 626 from the
set of storage units for each set of access requests of the
plurality of access requests for which a corresponding requesting
device had favorable access permissions with at least a threshold
number of storage units of the set of storage units. The threshold
number corresponds to a read threshold number when the first access
request includes a read request. The threshold number corresponds
to a write threshold number when the first access request includes
a write request. For example, the DST processing unit 1 receives at
least the write threshold number of the access responses 1-n from
the set of DST execution units 1-n when the DST processing unit 1
has sufficient permissions to write the data to the DSTN module
22.
[0361] FIG. 47C is a flowchart illustrating an example of
controlling access in a dispersed storage network (DSN). In
particular, a method is presented for use in conjunction with one
or more functions and features described in conjunction with FIGS.
1-39, 47A-B, and also FIG. 47C. The method begins at step 630 where
a processing module of a computing device of one or more computing
devices (e.g., a set of storage units) of the DSN receives a
plurality of sets of access requests from a plurality of requesting
devices, where a requesting device of the plurality of requesting
device generates a set of access requests of the plurality of sets
of access requests regarding a particular type of data access.
[0362] The method continues at step 632 where a processing module
of a first storage unit of the set of storage units receives a
first access request from each set of access requests of the
plurality of access requests to produce a group of first access
requests. The method continues at step 634 where the first storage
unit extracts a unique identifier from each first access request of
the group of first access requests to produce a first group of
unique identifiers. For a unique identifier of the first group of
unique identifiers, the method continues at step 636 where the
first storage unit performs a deterministic function on the unique
identifier to produce a first obfuscated identifier. The method
continues at step 638 where the first storage unit seeks a first
obfuscated access permissions list based on the first obfuscated
identifier (e.g., issues a query, interprets a query response,
attempts to retrieve the first obfuscated permissions list
utilizing the first obfuscated identifier as an index from a stored
access control list). When the first obfuscated access permissions
list is not found, the first storage unit sends a rejection
response or ignores the first access request.
[0363] When the first obfuscated access permissions list is found
based on the first obfuscated identifier, the method continues at
step 640 where the first storage unit recovers first access
permissions from the first obfuscated access permissions list based
on the first obfuscated identifier for a first requesting device of
the plurality of requesting devices associated with the unique
identifier of the first group of unique identifiers. The method
continues at step 642 where the first storage unit processes the
first access request for the first requesting device based on the
recovered first access permissions. For example, when the first
obfuscated access permissions list is found, the first storage unit
determines whether the first requesting device has permission for
the first access request based on the recovered first access
permissions and executes the first access request when the first
requesting device has favorable access permissions.
[0364] Alternatively, or in addition to, the method includes a
processing module of a second storage unit receiving a second
access request from each set of access requests of the plurality of
access requests to produce a group of second access requests. The
method continues at the step where the second storage unit extracts
a unique identifier from each second access request of the group of
second access requests to produce a second group of unique
identifiers. For a unique identifier of the second group of unique
identifiers, the method continues at the step where the second
storage unit performs the deterministic function on the unique
identifier of the second group of unique identifiers to produce a
second obfuscated identifier and seeks a second obfuscated access
permissions list based on the second obfuscated identifier. The
seeking the second obfuscated access permissions list includes
determining whether the second obfuscated identifier references the
first obfuscated access permissions list, and when the second
obfuscated identifier does reference the first obfuscated access
permissions list, recovering the second access permissions from the
first obfuscated access permissions list based on the second
obfuscated identifier. When the second obfuscated access
permissions list is found based on the second obfuscated
identifier, the method continues with the second storage unit
recovering second access permissions from the second obfuscated
access permissions list based on the second obfuscated identifier
for a second requesting device of the plurality of requesting
devices associated with the unique identifier of the second group
of unique identifiers and processing the second access request for
the second requesting device based on the recovered second access
permissions.
[0365] Further alternatively, or in addition to, the processing
module of the first storage unit, for a second unique identifier of
the first group of unique identifiers, performs the deterministic
function on the second unique identifier to produce a second
obfuscated identifier and seeks a second obfuscated access
permissions list based on the second obfuscated identifier. When
the second obfuscated access permissions list is found based on the
second obfuscated identifier, the method continues with the first
storage unit recovering second access permissions from the second
obfuscated access permissions list based on the second obfuscated
identifier for a second requesting device of the plurality of
requesting devices associated with the second unique identifier of
the first group of unique identifiers and processing the second
access request for the second requesting device based on the
recovered second access permissions.
[0366] The method continues at step 644 where the plurality of
requesting devices receives a set of access responses from the set
of storage units for each set of access requests of the plurality
of access requests for which a corresponding requesting device had
favorable access permissions with at least a threshold number of
storage units of the set of storage units. The threshold number
corresponds to a read threshold number when the first access
request includes a read request. The threshold number corresponds
to a write threshold number when the first access request includes
a write request.
[0367] The method described above in conjunction with the
processing module can alternatively be performed by other modules
of the dispersed storage network or by other devices. In addition,
at least one memory section of a computer readable storage medium
that stores operational instructions can, when executed by one or
more processing modules of one or more computing devices of the
dispersed storage network (DSN), cause the one or more computing
devices to perform any or all of the method steps described
above.
[0368] FIG. 48A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment
of a dispersed storage network (DSN) that includes the distributed
storage and task network (DSTN) managing unit 18 of FIG. 1, the
network 24 of FIG. 1, the dispersed storage and task (DST)
processing unit 16 of FIG. 1, and the DSTN module 22 of FIG. 1. The
DSTN managing unit 18 includes a certificate authority module 654
and an authentication authority 650. The authentication authority
650 includes a signing module 652. The DST processing unit 16
includes a unit configuration module 658 and a signature
verification module 656. The DSTN module 22 includes a set of DST
execution units 1-n. Each DST execution unit may be implemented
utilizing the DST execution unit 36 of FIG. 1. Each of the
authentication authority 650, the certificate authority module 654,
the signature verification module 656, and the unit configuration
module 658 may be implemented utilizing one or more of the
processing module 84 of FIG. 3 and the DST client module 34 of FIG.
1.
[0369] The DSN functions to configure a new DSN entity. In an
example of operation of configuring the new DSN entity, when the
new DSN entity includes the DST processing unit 16, the signature
verification module 656 obtains a bootstrap location. The bootstrap
location identifies a DSN address of the DSN. The obtaining
includes at least one of retrieving from a local memory, receiving
a user input, and receiving via the network 24 from another DSN
entity. Having obtained the bootstrap location, the signature
verification module 656 obtains a trusted certificate. For example,
the signature verification module 656 issues a bootstrap
certificate request 666 using the bootstrap location and receives a
certificate authority certificate 660 from the certificate
authority module 654 when the bootstrap location includes a DSN
address associated with the certificate authority module 654.
[0370] Having obtained the certificate authority certificate 660 as
the trusted certificate, the signature verification module 656
identifies an authentication authority of the DSN. The identifying
may be based on one or more of a predetermination, issuing a
request to another entity of the DSN, receiving a response that
includes an authentication authority table, selecting the
authentication authority from the authentication authority table,
and extracting a DSN address of the selected authentication
authority. For example, the signature verification module selects
the authentication authority 650 of the DSTN managing unit 18 from
a plurality of candidate authentication authorities based on a
trust level indicator (e.g., a highest trust level, greater than a
favorable trust threshold level).
[0371] Having identified the authentication authority, the
signature verification module obtains signed registry information
664 from the identified authentication authority. The obtaining
includes at least one of receiving a registry information broadcast
that includes the signed registry information 664 and issuing a
registry information request to the authentication authority 650 of
the DSTN managing unit 18, and receiving a registry information
response that includes the signed registry information 664, where
the signing module 652 signs registry information 662 to produce
the signed registry information 664. Having obtained the signed
registry information 664, the signature verification module 656
validates the signed registry information 664 using the trusted
certificate. For example, the signature verification module 656
validates each signature of the signed registry information 664
using a public key of the certificate authority certificate
660.
[0372] When the validation is favorable, the signature verification
module 656 indicates that the signed registry information 664 is
valid to produce verified registry information 668. Having produced
the verified registry information 668, the unit configuration
module 658 configures the new unit utilizing the verified registry
information 668. For example, the unit configuration module 658
loads software into a local memory of the DST processing unit 16,
where the verified registry information includes the software. As
another example, the unit configuration module 658 configures
parameters associated with hardware of the DST processing unit 16
in accordance with the verified registry information.
[0373] FIG. 48B is a flowchart illustrating an example of
configuring a new entity of a dispersed storage network (DSN). The
method begins or continues at step 670 where a processing module of
a plurality of processing modules of a plurality of computing
devices of the DSN obtains a bootstrap address. The obtaining
includes at least one of retrieving from a predetermined storage
location of a local memory device, receiving a user input,
initiating a query to a trusted entity, and receiving a query
response. The method continues at step 672 where the processing
module obtains a trusted certificate based on the bootstrap
address. For example, the processing module initiates a certificate
request using the bootstrap address and receives a certificate
response that includes the trusted certificate.
[0374] The method continues at step 674 where the processing module
obtains an address of an authentication authority. The obtaining
includes at least one of recovering from a local memory and
retrieving. In an example of the retrieving, the processing module
issues a request to another entity of the DSN, receives a response
that includes an authentication authority table, selects the
authentication authority from the authentication authority table,
and extracts the address of the selected authentication
authority.
[0375] The method continues at step 676 where the processing module
obtains signed registry information utilizing the address of the
authentication authority. For example, the processing module issues
a registry information request using the address of the
authentication authority and receives the signed registry
information. The method continues at step 678 where the processing
module validates the signed registry information using the trusted
certificate. For example, the processing module validates one or
more signatures of the signed registry information utilizing a
public-key associated with the trusted certificate.
[0376] When the validation is favorable, the method continues at
step 680 where the processing module indicates that the sign
registry information is valid to produce verified registry
information. The method continues at step 682 where the processing
module selects a portion of the verified registry information based
on a configuration request. The selecting includes one or more of
receiving the configuration request, interpreting stored
information a local memory to produce the configuration request,
and identifying a portion based on a configuration type of the
configuration request. For example, the processing module
identifies the configuration type as a user device type when the
configuration request is from a user device.
[0377] The method continues at step 684 where the processing module
facilitates configuring of a DSN entity using the portion of the
verified registry information. The facilitating includes the
processing module extracting a portion of the verified registry
information and configuring the DSN entity utilizing the extracted
portion of the verified registry information. For example, the
processing module loads operational software, initializes suffer
parameters, establishes input output configurations, and issues
instructions to start one or more processes.
[0378] 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)
"operably coupled to", "coupled to", and/or "coupling" 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" or "operably coupled to"
indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections,
input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, 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.
[0379] As may also be used herein, the terms "processing module",
"processing circuit", and/or "processing unit" 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, module, processing circuit,
and/or processing unit may be, or further include, memory and/or an
integrated memory element, which may be a single memory device, a
plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry of another
processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing
unit. 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,
module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit 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 if the processing
module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit
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
may store, and the processing module, module, processing circuit,
and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operational
instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or
functions illustrated in one or more of the Figures. Such a memory
device or memory element can be included in an article of
manufacture.
[0380] The present invention has 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. Further, 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.
[0381] The present invention may have also been described, at least
in part, in terms of one or more embodiments. An embodiment of the
present invention is used herein to illustrate the present
invention, an aspect thereof, a feature thereof, a concept thereof,
and/or an example thereof. A physical embodiment of an apparatus,
an article of manufacture, a machine, and/or of a process that
embodies the present invention may include one or more of the
aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. described with
reference to one or more of the embodiments discussed herein.
Further, from figure to figure, the embodiments may incorporate the
same or similarly named functions, steps, modules, etc. that may
use the same or different reference numbers and, as such, the
functions, steps, modules, etc. may be the same or similar
functions, steps, modules, etc. or different ones.
[0382] While the transistors in the above described figure(s)
is/are shown as field effect transistors (FETs), as one of ordinary
skill in the art will appreciate, the transistors may be
implemented using any type of transistor structure including, but
not limited to, bipolar, metal oxide semiconductor field effect
transistors (MOSFET), N-well transistors, P-well transistors,
enhancement mode, depletion mode, and zero voltage threshold (VT)
transistors.
[0383] Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from,
and/or between elements in a figure of any of the figures presented
herein may be analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time,
and single-ended or differential. For instance, if a signal path is
shown as a single-ended path, it also represents a differential
signal path. Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential
path, it also represents a single-ended signal path. While one or
more particular architectures are described herein, other
architectures can likewise be implemented that use one or more data
buses not expressly shown, direct connectivity between elements,
and/or indirect coupling between other elements as recognized by
one of average skill in the art.
[0384] The term "module" is used in the description of the various
embodiments of the present invention. A module includes a
processing module, a functional block, hardware, and/or software
stored on memory for performing one or more functions as may be
described herein. Note that, if the module is implemented via
hardware, the hardware may operate independently and/or in
conjunction software and/or firmware. As used herein, a module may
contain one or more sub-modules, each of which may be one or more
modules.
[0385] While particular combinations of various functions and
features of the present invention have been expressly described
herein, other combinations of these features and functions are
likewise possible. The present invention is not limited by the
particular examples disclosed herein and expressly incorporates
these other combinations.
* * * * *