ROUTER-BASED ROUTING SELECTION

Abstract

A method for use in a relay unit includes receiving a dispersed storage error encoded data slice, and obtaining a current routing path associated with it. A predicted performance of the current routing path is determined, and a check is performed to determine whether a predicted performance of the current routing path fails to satisfy a performance threshold. If the performance threshold is not satisfied, alternate performance information associated with one or more alternate routing paths is obtained. Based at least in part on the alternate performance information, one of the one or more alternate routing paths is selected as a new routing path. The dispersed storage error encoded data slice is transmitted via the new routing path, instead of using the current routing path previously obtained.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to computer networks and more particularly to dispersing error encoded data.

Description of Related Art

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.

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.

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.

When routing data within a distributed storage system, one or more relays, routers, or other portions of a communication path through which the data is transmitted can experience any of various quality of service problems. These quality of service problems can slow transmission of data from the source to the intended destination, cause an increase network traffic due to excessive retransmissions of lost data, or even cause a read or write operation to simply fail.

Currently available network routing protocols may require waiting longer than necessary before corrective actions are taken. For example, a sending unit may not even be aware of the problem until data loss reaches an unacceptably high level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dispersed or distributed storage network (DSN) in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing core in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storage error encoding of data in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a generic example of an error encoding function in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a specific example of an error encoding function in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a slice name of an encoded data slice (EDS) in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storage error decoding of data in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a generic example of an error decoding function in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic block diagrams of embodiments of a communication system including multiple routing paths in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of re-routing data in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dispersed, or distributed, storage network (DSN) 10 that includes a plurality of computing devices 12-16, a managing unit 18, an integrity processing unit 20, and a DSN memory 22. The components of the DSN 10 are coupled to a network 24, which may include one or more wireless and/or wire lined communication systems; one or more non-public intranet systems and/or public internet systems; and/or one or more local area networks (LAN) and/or wide area networks (WAN).

The DSN memory 22 includes a plurality of storage units 36 that may be located at geographically different sites (e.g., one in Chicago, one in Milwaukee, etc.), at a common site, or a combination thereof. For example, if the DSN memory 22 includes eight storage units 36, each storage unit is located at a different site. As another example, if the DSN memory 22 includes eight storage units 36, all eight storage units are located at the same site. As yet another example, if the DSN memory 22 includes eight storage units 36, a first pair of storage units are at a first common site, a second pair of storage units are at a second common site, a third pair of storage units are at a third common site, and a fourth pair of storage units are at a fourth common site. Note that a DSN memory 22 may include more or less than eight storage units 36. Further note that each storage unit 36 includes a computing core (as shown in FIG. 2, or components thereof) and a plurality of memory devices for storing dispersed error encoded data.

Each of the computing devices 12-16, the managing unit 18, and the integrity processing unit 20 include a computing core 26, which includes network interfaces 30-33. Computing devices 12-16 may each 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 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 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. Note that each of the managing unit 18 and the integrity processing unit 20 may be separate computing devices, may be a common computing device, and/or may be integrated into one or more of the computing devices 12-16 and/or into one or more of the storage units 36.

Each interface 30, 32, and 33 includes software and hardware to support one or more communication links via the network 24 indirectly and/or directly. For example, interface 30 supports a communication link (e.g., wired, wireless, direct, via a LAN, via the network 24, etc.) between computing devices 14 and 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 computing devices 12 and 16 and the DSN memory 22. As yet another example, interface 33 supports a communication link for each of the managing unit 18 and the integrity processing unit 20 to the network 24.

Computing devices 12 and 16 include a dispersed storage (DS) client module 34, which enables the computing device to dispersed storage error encode and decode data (e.g., data 40) as subsequently described with reference to one or more of FIGS. 3-8. In this example embodiment, computing device 16 functions as a dispersed storage processing agent for computing device 14. In this role, computing device 16 dispersed storage error encodes and decodes data on behalf of computing device 14. With the use of dispersed storage error encoding and decoding, the DSN 10 is tolerant of a significant number of storage unit failures (the number of failures is based on parameters of the dispersed storage error encoding function) without loss of data and without the need for a redundant or backup copies of the data. Further, the DSN 10 stores data for an indefinite period of time without data loss and in a secure manner (e.g., the system is very resistant to unauthorized attempts at accessing the data).

In operation, the managing unit 18 performs DS management services. For example, the managing unit 18 establishes distributed data storage parameters (e.g., vault creation, distributed storage parameters, security parameters, billing information, user profile information, etc.) for computing devices 12-14 individually or as part of a group of user devices. As a specific example, the managing unit 18 coordinates creation of a vault (e.g., a virtual memory block associated with a portion of an overall namespace of the DSN) within the DSN memory 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 managing unit 18 facilitates storage of DS error encoding parameters for each vault by updating registry information of the DSN 10, where the registry information may be stored in the DSN memory 22, a computing device 12-16, the managing unit 18, and/or the integrity processing unit 20.

The 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 DSN memory 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.

The managing unit 18 creates billing information for a particular user, a user group, a vault access, public vault access, etc. For instance, the managing unit 18 tracks the number of times a user accesses a non-public vault and/or public vaults, which can be used to generate a per-access billing information. In another instance, the 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.

As another example, the managing unit 18 performs 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, storage units, and/or computing devices with a DS client module 34) to/from the DSN 10, and/or establishing authentication credentials for the storage 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 DSN 10. Network maintenance includes facilitating replacing, upgrading, repairing, and/or expanding a device and/or unit of the DSN 10.

The integrity processing unit 20 performs rebuilding of ‘bad’ or missing encoded data slices. At a high level, the 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 DSN memory 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 the DSN memory 22.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing core 26 that includes a processing module 50, a memory controller 52, main memory 54, a video graphics processing unit 55, an input/output (IO) controller 56, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) interface 58, 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 DSN interface module 76.

The DSN 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 DSN interface module 76 and/or the network interface module 70 may function as one or more of the interface 30-33 of FIG. 1. Note that the IO device interface module 62 and/or the memory interface modules 66-76 may be collectively or individually referred to as IO ports.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storage error encoding of data. When a computing device 12 or 16 has data to store it disperse storage error encodes the data in accordance with a dispersed storage error encoding process based on dispersed storage error encoding parameters. The dispersed storage error encoding parameters include an encoding function (e.g., information dispersal algorithm, Reed-Solomon, Cauchy Reed-Solomon, systematic encoding, non-systematic encoding, on-line codes, etc.), a data segmenting protocol (e.g., data segment size, fixed, variable, etc.), and per data segment encoding values. The per data segment encoding values include a total, or pillar width, number (T) of encoded data slices per encoding of a data segment (i.e., in a set of encoded data slices); a decode threshold number (D) of encoded data slices of a set of encoded data slices that are needed to recover the data segment; a read threshold number (R) of encoded data slices to indicate a number of encoded data slices per set to be read from storage for decoding of the data segment; and/or a write threshold number (W) to indicate a number of encoded data slices per set that must be accurately stored before the encoded data segment is deemed to have been properly stored. The dispersed storage error encoding parameters may further include slicing information (e.g., the number of encoded data slices that will be created for each data segment) and/or slice security information (e.g., per encoded data slice encryption, compression, integrity checksum, etc.).

In the present example, Cauchy Reed-Solomon has been selected as the encoding function (a generic example is shown in FIG. 4 and a specific example is shown in FIG. 5); the data segmenting protocol is to divide the data object into fixed sized data segments; and the per data segment encoding values include: a pillar width of 5, a decode threshold of 3, a read threshold of 4, and a write threshold of 4. In accordance with the data segmenting protocol, the computing device 12 or 16 divides the data (e.g., a file (e.g., text, video, audio, etc.), a data object, or other data arrangement) into a plurality of fixed sized data segments (e.g., 1 through Y of a fixed size in range of Kilo-bytes to Tera-bytes or more). The number of data segments created is dependent of the size of the data and the data segmenting protocol.

The computing device 12 or 16 then disperse storage error encodes a data segment using the selected encoding function (e.g., Cauchy Reed-Solomon) to produce a set of encoded data slices. FIG. 4 illustrates a generic Cauchy Reed-Solomon encoding function, which includes an encoding matrix (EM), a data matrix (DM), and a coded matrix (CM). The size of the encoding matrix (EM) is dependent on the pillar width number (T) and the decode threshold number (D) of selected per data segment encoding values. To produce the data matrix (DM), the data segment is divided into a plurality of data blocks and the data blocks are arranged into D number of rows with Z data blocks per row. Note that Z is a function of the number of data blocks created from the data segment and the decode threshold number (D). The coded matrix is produced by matrix multiplying the data matrix by the encoding matrix.

FIG. 5 illustrates a specific example of Cauchy Reed-Solomon encoding with a pillar number (T) of five and decode threshold number of three. In this example, a first data segment is divided into twelve data blocks (D1-D12). The coded matrix includes five rows of coded data blocks, where the first row of X11-X14 corresponds to a first encoded data slice (EDS 1_1), the second row of X21-X24 corresponds to a second encoded data slice (EDS 2_1), the third row of X31-X34 corresponds to a third encoded data slice (EDS 3_1), the fourth row of X41-X44 corresponds to a fourth encoded data slice (EDS 4_1), and the fifth row of X51-X54 corresponds to a fifth encoded data slice (EDS 5_1). Note that the second number of the EDS designation corresponds to the data segment number.

Returning to the discussion of FIG. 3, the computing device also creates a slice name (SN) for each encoded data slice (EDS) in the set of encoded data slices. A typical format for a slice name 80 is shown in FIG. 6. As shown, the slice name (SN) 80 includes a pillar number of the encoded data slice (e.g., one of 1-T), a data segment number (e.g., one of 1-Y), a vault identifier (ID), a data object identifier (ID), and may further include revision level information of the encoded data slices. The slice name functions as, at least part of, a DSN address for the encoded data slice for storage and retrieval from the DSN memory 22.

As a result of encoding, the computing device 12 or 16 produces a plurality of sets of encoded data slices, which are provided with their respective slice names to the storage units for storage. As shown, the first set of encoded data slices includes EDS 1_1 through EDS 5_1 and the first set of slice names includes SN 1_1 through SN 5_1 and the last set of encoded data slices includes EDS 1_Y through EDS 5_Y and the last set of slice names includes SN 1_Y through SN 5_Y.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an example of dispersed storage error decoding of a data object that was dispersed storage error encoded and stored in the example of FIG. 4. In this example, the computing device 12 or 16 retrieves from the storage units at least the decode threshold number of encoded data slices per data segment. As a specific example, the computing device retrieves a read threshold number of encoded data slices.

To recover a data segment from a decode threshold number of encoded data slices, the computing device uses a decoding function as shown in FIG. 8. As shown, the decoding function is essentially an inverse of the encoding function of FIG. 4. The coded matrix includes a decode threshold number of rows (e.g., three in this example) and the decoding matrix in an inversion of the encoding matrix that includes the corresponding rows of the coded matrix. For example, if the coded matrix includes rows 1, 2, and 4, the encoding matrix is reduced to rows 1, 2, and 4, and then inverted to produce the decoding matrix.

FIG. 9A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communication system including multiple routing paths. The communication system includes a sending dispersed storage (DS) processing unit 102, a plurality of relay units 128, and a receiving DS processing unit 104. In an implementation example, the sending DS processing unit 102, at least some of the plurality of relay units 128, and the receiving DS processing unit 104 include a DS processing module 34. The sending DS processing unit 102, the plurality of relay units 128, and the receiving DS processing unit 104 operate to communicate data. A plurality of routing paths 1-4 may be provided by the plurality of relay units 128 and a topology of connectivity between the sending DS processing unit 102, the plurality of relay units 128, and the receiving DS processing unit 104. Routing path 1 includes one relay unit 128 between the sending DS processing unit 102 and the receiving DS processing unit 104. Routing path 2 includes two relay units 128 between the sending DS processing unit 102 and the receiving DS processing unit 104.

A plurality of routing sub-paths may be provided by at least some of the plurality of relay units 128 and a topology of connectivity between the at least some of the plurality of relay units 128. For example, routing path 3 includes three relay units 128 between the sending DS processing unit 102 and the receiving DS processing unit 104, wherein a routing sub-path 3a includes two of the three relay units 128 and routing sub-path 3b includes all three of the three relay units 128. As another example, routing path 4 includes six relay units 128 between the sending DS processing unit 102 and the receiving DS processing unit 104, wherein routing sub-path 4a includes three of the six relay units 128, routing sub-path 4b includes three of the six relay units 128, and routing sub-path 4c includes four of the six relay units 128.

The sending DS processing unit 102 sends data 106 utilizing one or more of the plurality of routing paths 1-4 to communicate the data 106 to the receiving DS processing unit 104. In an example of operation, the sending DS processing unit 102 receives data 106. Next, the sending DS processing unit 102 determines one or more of communications requirements (e.g., a reliability level) and routing path quality of service information (e.g., reliability history, a future reliability estimate). The sending DS processing unit 102 selects a set of routing paths of the plurality of routing paths to produce a selected set of routing paths based on the communications requirements and the routing path quality of service information. Such a selected set of routing paths may include one or more sub-paths. Next, the sending DS processing unit 102 dispersed storage error encodes the data 106 to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices.

The sending DS processing unit 102 determines a path assignment scheme based on the communications requirements and the routing path quality of service information. The sending DS processing unit 102 assigns encoded data slices of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices corresponding to each common pillar to a corresponding path of the selected set of routing paths utilizing the path assignment scheme. The sending DS processing unit 102 sends the plurality of sets of encoded data slices to the receiving DS processing unit 104 via the selected set of routing paths in accordance with the path assignment scheme. For instance, the sending DS processing unit 102 sends more slices via path 4 than via path 1 when the sending DS processing unit 102 determines that the path 4 slices require a more reliable path than the path 1 slices.

In an example of operation, the sending DS processing unit 102 (e.g. a first device) determines an error coding distributed routing protocol and transmits a set of encoded data slices (e.g., slices 11), identity of the receiving DS processing unit 104 (e.g. a second device), and the error coding distributed routing protocol to a network (e.g., relay units 128, the receiving DS processing unit 104), wherein the set of encoded data slices represents data that has been dispersed storage error encoded. The error coding distributed routing protocol includes at least one of identity of the initial plurality of routing paths, a number of routing paths, a number of sub-sets of the set of encoded data slices, the desired routing performance for one or more of the sub-sets of the set of encoded data slices, a request for multiple path transmission of the set of encoded data slices, a capacity estimate of the initial plurality of routing paths, a priority indicator for at least one of the sub-sets, a security indicator for at least one of the sub-sets, and a performance indicator for at least one of the sub-sets.

In the example of operation continued, the network routes a plurality of sub-sets of the set of encoded data slices via an initial plurality of routing paths towards the second device in accordance with the error coding distributed routing protocol. Next, the network compares anticipated routing performance of the routing of the plurality of sub-sets with a desired routing performance (e.g., of the error coding distributed routing protocol). The comparing the anticipated routing performance includes for a link of a plurality of links of the routing path, determining the anticipated routing performance of the link, comparing the anticipated routing performance of the link with a corresponding portion of the desired routing performance, and when the comparison of the anticipated routing performance of the link with the corresponding portion of the desired routing performance is unfavorable, indicating that the comparison of the anticipated routing performance of the routing of the plurality of sub-sets with the desired routing performance is unfavorable.

In the example of operation continued, the network alters the routing path to obtain a favorable comparison when the comparison of a routing path of the initial plurality of routing paths is unfavorable. For example, the network determines the routing paths to be unfavorable when an absolute value of a difference between the anticipated routing performance and the desired routing performance is greater than a performance threshold). The altering the routing path includes dispersed storage error encoding an encoded data slice of a corresponding sub-set of the plurality of sub-sets to produce a set of encoded data sub-slices, determining a plurality of sub-routing paths, and routing the set of encoded data sub-slices to the second device via the plurality of sub-routing paths. The altering the routing path further includes at least one of selecting a lower latency routing path, selecting a higher data rate routing path, selecting a routing path with higher capacity, selecting a routing path with a lower error rate, selecting a routing path with a higher cost, selecting a higher latency routing path, selecting a lower data rate routing path, selecting a routing path with a higher error rate, selecting a routing path with a lower cost, and selecting a routing path with lower capacity.

In the example of operation continued, the receiving DS processing unit 104 receives at least some of the set of encoded data slices from the network and when at least a threshold number (e.g., a decode threshold number) of encoded data slices have been received, the DS processing unit 104 decodes the at least a threshold number of encoded data slices to reproduce the data 106.

FIG. 9B is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a communication system including multiple routing paths. The system includes a sending dispersed storage (DS) processing unit 102, a network node 129, a plurality of relay units 128, and a receiving DS processing unit 104. In an implementation example, the sending DS processing unit 102, the network node 129, at least some of the plurality of relay units 128, and the receiving DS processing unit 104 include a DS processing module 34. The sending DS processing unit 102, the network node 129, the plurality of relay units 128, and the receiving DS processing unit 104 operate to communicate data. A plurality of routing paths 1-4 may be provided by the plurality of relay units 128 and a topology of connectivity between the sending DS processing unit 102, the network node 129, the plurality of relay units 128, and the receiving DS processing unit 104. Routing path 1 includes one relay unit 128 between the sending DS processing unit 102 and the receiving DS processing unit 104. Routing path 2 includes two relay units 128 between the sending DS processing unit 102 and the receiving DS processing unit 104.

A plurality of routing sub-paths may be provided by at least some of the plurality of relay units 128 and a topology of connectivity between the at least some of the plurality of relay units 128. For example, routing path 3 includes three relay units 128 between the network node 129 and the receiving DS processing unit 104, wherein a routing sub-path 3a includes two of the three relay units 128 and routing sub-path 3b includes all three of the three relay units 128. As another example, routing path 4 includes six relay units 128 between the network node 129 and the receiving DS processing unit 104, wherein routing sub-path 4a includes three of the six relay units 128, routing sub-path 4b includes three of the six relay units 128, and routing sub-path 4c includes four of the six relay units 128.

In an example of operation, the sending DS processing unit 102 (e.g. a first device) determines an error coding distributed routing protocol and transmits a set of encoded data slices (e.g., slices 11), identity of the receiving DS processing unit 104 (e.g. a second device), and the error coding distributed routing protocol to a network (e.g., the network node 129 and/or the plurality of relay units 128), wherein the set of encoded data slices represents data that has been dispersed storage error encoded. The network node 129 receives from the sending DS processing unit 102 the set of encoded data slices, identity of the receiving DS processing unit 104, and the error coding distributed routing protocol. The network node 129 routes a plurality of sub-sets of the set of encoded data slices via an initial plurality of routing paths from the sending DS processing unit 102 towards the receiving DS processing unit 104 in accordance with the error coding distributed routing protocol.

In the example continued, the network node 129 compares anticipated routing performance of the routing of the plurality of sub-sets with a desired routing performance. The comparing the anticipated routing performance includes determining the anticipated routing performance of a link of a plurality of links of the routing path, comparing the anticipated routing performance of the link with a corresponding portion of the desired routing performance, and when the comparison of the anticipated routing performance of the link with the corresponding portion of the desired routing performance is unfavorable, indicating that the comparison of the anticipated routing performance of the routing of the plurality of sub-sets with the desired routing performance is unfavorable.

In the example continued, the network node 129 alters the routing paths to obtain a favorable comparison when the comparison of a routing path of the initial plurality of routing paths is unfavorable. The altering the routing path includes dispersed storage error encoding an encoded data slice of a corresponding sub-set of the plurality of sub-sets to produce a set of encoded data sub-slices, determining a plurality of sub-routing paths, and routing the set of encoded data sub-slices to the second device via the plurality of sub-routing paths. The altering the routing path further includes at least one of selecting a lower latency routing path, selecting a higher data rate routing path, selecting a routing path with higher capacity, selecting a routing path with a lower error rate, selecting a routing path with a higher cost, selecting a higher latency routing path, selecting a lower data rate routing path, selecting a routing path with a higher error rate, selecting a routing path with a lower cost, and selecting a routing path with lower capacity.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart is a flowchart illustrating an example of re-routing data within the communication system illustrated in FIG. 9, which in at least one embodiment includes multiple routing paths. The communication system can be utilized to communicate time critical data by encoding the data into error coded data slices, and sending the error encoded data slices via one or more of the routing paths from a source, such as sending DS processing unit 102 to a destination, such as receiving DS processing unit 104. An intermediary router, for example a relay unit 128, can choose the next path for a packet containing a data slice based on a performance indicator. The indicator may indicate a latency goal, a security goal, a reliability goal, etc. The indicator may be received in each packet, received from time to time, preprogrammed, re-determined, etc. The relay unit can alter the routing path of a particular error encoded data slice to attempt to optimize communication of data within the system. Thus, a particular error encoded data slice being routed along a current routing path can be re-routed via a new routing path by any one of the relay units that receives the error encoded data slice.

The method begins with step 258 where a processing module (e.g., of a relay unit) receives an encoded data slice. The method continues at step 302 where the processing module obtains a current routing path, wherein the current routing path is associated with a routing path of the encoded data slice as it is routed to a receiving entity (e.g., a receiving dispersed storage (DS) processing unit). The obtaining may be based on one or more of the encoded data slice, dispersal information associated with the encoded data slice, embedded information with the current data slice, a list, a lookup, a previously received encoded data slice, and a message. The method continues at step 304 where the processing module determines predicted current routing path performance. The determination may be based on one or more of the current routing path, historical performance information, a query, a list, a lookup, and a message.

The method continues at step 306 where the processing module determines whether the predicted current routing path performance compares favorably to a performance threshold. The determination may be based on one or more of obtaining the performance threshold from a list, obtaining the performance threshold from a message, determining the performance threshold based on historical performance information (e.g., a running average), and comparing the predicted current routing path performance to the performance threshold. For example, the processing module determines that the predicted current routing path performance compares favorably to a performance threshold when the predicted current routing path performance is superior to the performance threshold. The method branches to step 264 in response to the processing module determining that the predicted current routing path performance does not compare favorably to the performance threshold. The method continues to step 262 in response to the processing module determining that the predicted current routing path performance compares favorably to the performance threshold. The method continues with step 262 of where the processing module forwards the encoded data slice via the current routing path.

The method continues with step 264, where the processing module obtains routing path quality of service information and identifies candidate routing paths when the processing module determines that the predicted current routing path performance does not compare favorably to the performance threshold. The processing module considers currently available paths from the perspective of the processing module (e.g., the relay unit). The candidate routing paths represent one or more possible communications paths from the processing module to a receiving entity (e.g., the receiving DS processing unit 104). The determination may be based on one or more of receiving a message, a lookup, a query, a plurality of communications ping requests and responses, a test, a routing table, a message from a router, a message from a relay unit, and a command. For example, the processing module determines candidate routing paths based on a query of relay unit functionally or topologically (e.g., architecturally) between the processing module and the receiving entity. As another example, the processing module determines candidate routing paths based on receiving routing table information from one or more relay units, wherein a relay unit includes a router that generates and stores a routing table containing the routing table information.

The method continues at step 308 where the processing module selects a candidate routing path to produce a new routing path to optimize performance of sending the encoded data slice to the receiving entity. The processing module may choose a different routing path to overcome a reliability issue between the processing module and the receiving entity. The selection to produce the new routing path may be based on one or more of optimizing quality of service performance, a size of the encoded data slice, the candidate routing paths, and estimated performance of each of the candidate routing paths. The method continues at step 310, where the processing module sends the encoded data slice via the new routing path. The sending may include sending the new routing path to one or more relay units associated with the new routing path.

It is noted that terminologies as may be used herein such as bit stream, stream, signal sequence, etc. (or their equivalents) have been used interchangeably to describe digital information whose content corresponds to any of a number of desired types (e.g., data, video, speech, audio, etc. any of which may generally be referred to as ‘data’).

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) “configured to”, “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 an example of 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 “configured to”, “operable to”, “coupled 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. As may be used herein, the term “compares unfavorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., fails to provide the desired relationship.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module”, “processing circuit”, “processor”, 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.

One or more embodiments have 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 claims. 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 claims. 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.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue” indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that the steps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used in conjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates the beginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by other activities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indication reflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/or may be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further, while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, other orderings are likewise possible provided that the principles of causality are maintained.

The one or more embodiments are used herein to illustrate one or more aspects, one or more features, one or more concepts, and/or one or more examples. A physical embodiment of an apparatus, an article of manufacture, a machine, and/or of a process 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.

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.

The term “module” is used in the description of one or more of the embodiments. A module implements one or more functions via a device such as a processor or other processing device or other hardware that may include or operate in association with a memory that stores operational instructions. A module may operate independently and/or in conjunction with software and/or firmware. As also used herein, a module may contain one or more sub-modules, each of which may be one or more modules.

As may further be used herein, a computer readable memory includes one or more memory elements. A memory element may be a separate memory device, multiple memory devices, or a set of memory locations within a memory device. 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. The memory device may be in a form a solid state memory, a hard drive memory, cloud memory, thumb drive, server memory, computing device memory, and/or other physical medium for storing digital information.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of the one or more embodiments have been expressly described herein, other combinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. The present disclosure is not limited by the particular examples disclosed herein and expressly incorporates these other combinations.

Claims

1. A method for use in a relay unit including a processor and associated memory, the method comprising: receiving a dispersed storage error encoded data slice;obtaining a current routing path associated with the dispersed storage error encoded data slice;determining a predicted performance of the current routing path;determining that a predicted performance of the current routing path fails to satisfy a performance threshold;in response to the predicted performance of the current routing path failing to satisfy the performance threshold, obtaining alternate performance information associated with one or more alternate routing paths;selecting a particular alternate routing path, from among the one or more alternate routing paths, as a new routing path, the selecting based, at least in part, on the alternate performance information; andtransmitting the dispersed storage error encoded data slice via the new routing path instead of using the current routing path.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining the current routing path from information included in a message received prior to receiving the dispersed storage error encoded data slice.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the performance threshold includes one or more of the following: a latency threshold, a speed threshold, a bandwidth threshold, a security threshold, a reliability threshold.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining that the predicted performance of the current routing path fails to satisfy the performance threshold based, at least in part, on historical performance of the current routing path.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selecting the particular alternate routing path based, at least in part, on a size of the dispersed storage error encoded data slice.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selecting the particular alternate routing path based, at least in part, on availability of the one or more alternate routing paths.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selecting the particular alternate routing path based, at least in part, on historical reliability of data transmissions between the relay unit and a processing unit in the particular alternate routing path.

8. A non-transitory computer readable medium tangibly embodying a program of instructions configured to be stored in a memory and executed by a processor, the program of instructions comprising: at least one instruction to receive a dispersed storage error encoded data slice;at least one instruction to obtain a current routing path associated with the dispersed storage error encoded data slice;at least one instruction to determine a predicted performance of the current routing path;at least one instruction to determine that a predicted performance of the current routing path fails to satisfy a performance threshold;at least one instruction to obtain alternate performance information associated with one or more alternate routing paths in response to the predicted performance of the current routing path failing to satisfy the performance threshold;at least one instruction to select a particular alternate routing path, from among the one or more alternate routing paths, as a new routing path, the particular alternate routing path being selected based, at least in part, on the alternate performance information; andat least one instruction to transmit the dispersed storage error encoded data slice via the new routing path instead of using the current routing path.

9. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, further comprising: at least one instruction to obtain the current routing path from information included in a message received prior to receiving the dispersed storage error encoded data slice.

10. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the performance threshold includes one or more of the following: a latency threshold, a speed threshold, a bandwidth threshold, a security threshold, a reliability threshold.

11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, further comprising: at least one instruction to determine that the predicted performance of the current routing path fails to satisfy the performance threshold based, at least in part, on historical performance of the current routing path.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, further comprising: at least one instruction to select the particular alternate routing path based, at least in part, on a size of the dispersed storage error encoded data slice.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, further comprising: at least one instruction to select the particular alternate routing path based, at least in part, on availability of the one or more alternate routing paths.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 8, further comprising: at least one instruction to select the particular alternate routing path based, at least in part, on historical reliability of data transmissions between a relay unit and a processing unit in the particular alternate routing path.

15. A relay unit for use in a communications network, the relay unit comprising: a processor;memory coupled to the processor;a program of instructions configured to be stored in the memory and executed by the processor, the program of instructions including: at least one instruction to receive a dispersed storage error encoded data slice;at least one instruction to obtain a current routing path associated with the dispersed storage error encoded data slice;at least one instruction to determine a predicted performance of the current routing path;at least one instruction to determine that a predicted performance of the current routing path fails to satisfy a performance threshold;at least one instruction to obtain alternate performance information associated with one or more alternate routing paths in response to the predicted performance of the current routing path failing to satisfy the performance threshold;at least one instruction to select a particular alternate routing path, from among the one or more alternate routing paths, as a new routing path, the particular alternate routing path being selected based, at least in part, on the alternate performance information; andat least one instruction to transmit the dispersed storage error encoded data slice via the new routing path instead of using the current routing path.

16. The relay unit of claim 15, wherein the program of instructions further comprises: at least one instruction to obtain the current routing path from information included in a message received prior to receiving the dispersed storage error encoded data slice.

17. The relay unit of claim 15, wherein the program of instructions further comprises: at least one instruction to determine that the predicted performance of the current routing path fails to satisfy the performance threshold based, at least in part, on historical performance of the current routing path.

18. The relay unit of claim 15, wherein the program of instructions further comprises: at least one instruction to select the particular alternate routing path based, at least in part, on a size of the dispersed storage error encoded data slice.

19. The relay unit of claim 15, wherein the program of instructions further comprises: at least one instruction to select the particular alternate routing path based, at least in part, on availability of the one or more alternate routing paths.

20. The relay unit of claim 15, wherein the program of instructions further comprises: at least one instruction to select the particular alternate routing path based, at least in part, on historical reliability of data transmissions between the relay unit and a processing unit in the particular alternate routing path.