Automated stalled process detection and recovery

1. A method for use in a dispersed storage network (DSN) including a plurality of storage units, the method comprising:

detecting, by a processing unit included in the DSN, a failing storage unit;

issuing, by the processing unit, an error indicator to a recovery unit, to indicate the failing storage unit;

issuing, by the recovery unit, a test request to the failing storage unit;

determining, by the recovery unit, to implement a corrective action; and

facilitating, by the recovery unit, execution of the corrective action.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting a failing storage unit includes:

receiving an unfavorable response to an access request.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting includes:

determining that no response to an access request directed to the failing storage unit is received within a predetermined amount of time.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the error indicator includes:

information identifying the failing storage unit and a failure type.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein issuing a test request includes:

generating a particular test request based on the failure type; and

sending the particular test request to the failing storage unit.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining to implement a corrective action includes:

determining at least one of receiving an unfavorable response to the test request, or determining that a time period has expired without receiving a test response.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein facilitating execution of the corrective action includes:

issuing a corrective action command to at least one of the failing storage unit or a managing unit.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

facilitating, by the recovery unit, execution of a further corrective action in response to receiving an unfavorable response to the corrective action.

9. A dispersed storage network (DSN) including a plurality of storage units, the DSN comprising:

processing unit configured to:

detect a failing storage unit;

issue an error indicator to a recovery unit, the error indicator indicate the failing storage unit;

a recovery unit configured to:

issue a test request to the failing storage unit;

determine to implement a corrective action; and

facilitate execution of the corrective action.

10. The dispersed storage network (DSN) of claim 9 , wherein the processing unit is configured to detect a failing storage unit, at least in part, by:

receiving, at the processing unit, an unfavorable response to an access request.

11. The dispersed storage network (DSN) of claim 9 , wherein the processing unit is configured to detect a failing storage unit, at least in part, by:

determining, at the processing unit, that no response to an access request directed to the failing storage unit is received within a predetermined amount of time.

12. The dispersed storage network (DSN) of claim 9 , wherein the error indicator includes:

information identifying the failing storage unit and a failure type.

13. The dispersed storage network (DSN) of claim 12 , wherein the recovery unit is configured to issue a test request, at least in part, by:

generating a particular test request based on the failure type; and

sending the particular test request to the failing storage unit.

14. The dispersed storage network (DSN) of claim 9 , wherein the recovery unit is configured to issue determine to implement a corrective action, at least in part, by:

determining at least one of receiving an unfavorable response to the test request, or determining that a time period has expired without receiving a test response.

15. The dispersed storage network (DSN) of claim 9 , wherein the recovery unit is configured to facilitate execution of the corrective action, at least in part, by:

issuing a corrective action command to at least one of the failing storage unit or a managing unit.

16. The dispersed storage network (DSN) of claim 9 , wherein the recovery unit is further configured to:

facilitate execution of a further corrective action in response to receiving an unfavorable response to the corrective action.

17. A recovery unit included in a dispersed storage network (DSN) including a plurality of storage units, the recovery unit comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

a non-transitory 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, from a processing unit, an error indicator indicating a failing storage unit;

at least one instruction to verify that the error indicator by issuing a test request to the failing storage unit;

at least one instruction to determine to implement a corrective action associated with the failing storage unit; and

at least one instruction to facilitate execution of the corrective action.

18. The recovery unit of claim 17 , wherein the at least one instruction to verify includes:

at least one instruction to generate a particular test request based on a failure type associated with the failing storage unit; and

at least one instruction to send the particular test request to the failing storage unit.

19. The recovery unit of claim 17 , wherein the at least one instruction to facilitate execution of the corrective action includes:

issuing a corrective action command to at least one of the failing storage unit or a managing unit.

20. The recovery unit of claim 17 , wherein the program of instructions further comprises:

the at least one instruction to facilitate execution of a further corrective action in response to receiving an unfavorable response to the corrective action.