Modifying Slice Storage in Flash Memory Based on Utilization Level

Abstract

A method for execution by a computing device of a storage network includes determining a utilization level of a local flash memory. The method further includes determining whether the utilization level compares favorably to a utilization threshold. When the utilization level compares favorably to the utilization threshold, The method further includes sending an encoded data slice storage solicitation message to another computing device. The method further includes receiving a plurality of encoded data slices from the other computing device, where data is dispersed storage error encoded into pluralities of sets of encoded data slices, and where the pluralities of sets of encoded data slices includes the plurality of encoded data slices. The method further includes storing the plurality of encoded data slices in the local flash memory.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for execution by a computing device of a storage network, the method comprises:
 determining a utilization level of a local flash memory;   determining whether the utilization level compares favorably to a utilization threshold;   when the utilization level compares favorably to the utilization threshold, sending an encoded data slice storage solicitation message to another computing device;   receiving a plurality of encoded data slices from the other computing device, wherein data is dispersed storage error encoded into pluralities of sets of encoded data slices, and wherein the pluralities of sets of encoded data slices includes the plurality of encoded data slices; and   storing the plurality of encoded data slices in the local flash memory.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the encoded data slice storage solicitation message includes an available amount of memory indicator. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the encoded data slice storage solicitation message includes a user device identifier. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the encoded data slice storage solicitation message includes a performance history indicator. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the encoded data slice storage solicitation message includes a group identifier. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the encoded data slice storage solicitation message includes a vault identifier. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the encoded data slice storage solicitation message includes a one-time/on-going indicator. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sending the encoded data slice storage solicitation message comprises:
 outputting the encoded data slice storage solicitation message to a random computing device, wherein the random computing device is the other computing device.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sending the encoded data slice storage solicitation message comprises:
 outputting the encoded data slice storage solicitation message to a group of affiliated computing devices, wherein the group of affiliated computing devices includes the other computing device.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sending the encoded data slice storage solicitation message comprises:
 outputting the encoded data slice storage solicitation message the other computing device based on previously receiving a request for storage message from the other computing device.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sending the encoded data slice storage solicitation message comprises:
 outputting the encoded data slice storage solicitation message to the other computing device is based on a list of targets.   
     
     
         12 . A computing device comprising:
 memory;   an interface; and   a processing module operably coupled to the memory and the interface, wherein the processing module is operable to:   determine a utilization level of a local flash memory;   determine whether the utilization level compares favorably to a utilization threshold;   when the utilization level compares favorably to the utilization threshold, send, via the interface, an encoded data slice storage solicitation message to another computing device;   receive, via the interface, a plurality of encoded data slices from the other computing device, wherein data is dispersed storage error encoded into pluralities of sets of encoded data slices, and wherein the pluralities of sets of encoded data slices includes the plurality of encoded data slices; and   store the plurality of encoded data slices in the local flash memory.   
     
     
         13 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the processing module is operable to determine the encoded data slice storage solicitation message includes an available amount of memory indicator. 
     
     
         14 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the processing module is operable to determine the encoded data slice storage solicitation message includes a user device identifier. 
     
     
         15 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the processing module is operable to determine the encoded data slice storage solicitation message includes a performance history indicator. 
     
     
         16 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the processing module is operable to determine the encoded data slice storage solicitation message includes a vault identifier. 
     
     
         17 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the processing module is operable to determine the encoded data slice storage solicitation message includes a one-time/on-going indicator. 
     
     
         18 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the processing module is operable to perform the sending the encoded data slice storage solicitation message by:
 outputting, via the interface, the encoded data slice storage solicitation message to a random computing device, wherein the random computing device is the other computing device.   
     
     
         19 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the processing module is operable to perform the sending the encoded data slice storage solicitation message by:
 outputting, via the interface, the encoded data slice storage solicitation message to a group of affiliated computing devices, wherein the group of affiliated computing devices includes the other computing device.   
     
     
         20 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the processing module is operable to perform the sending the encoded data slice storage solicitation message by:
 outputting, via the interface, the encoded data slice storage solicitation message the other computing device based on previously receiving a request for storage message from the other computing device.