Parity in a vast storage system using alternate memory

1. A method comprises:

analyzing storage network memory of a storage network for a level of usability to produce an alternative network memory analysis;

based on the analysis, selecting alternative memory available for receipt of encoded data slices stored in current memory, wherein a data object is segmented into a plurality of data segments, wherein a data segment of the plurality of data segments is dispersed error encoded in accordance with dispersed error encoding parameters to produce a set of encoded data slices;

determining whether to move encoded data slices from current memory to alternative memory;

in response to a determination to move slices, allocating alternative memory;

moving at least some encoded data slices from a current memory to alternate memory; and

updating a memory assignment mechanism for the at least some encoded data slices.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the analyzing storage network memory is triggered by at least one of:

an error message;

resumption of a previously abandoned analysis process; and

a message and a command.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the storage network memory does not include current memory.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the storage network memory of the storage network includes a plurality of memory devices.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the level of usability is based on a relative utilization of the alternative storage network memory.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the level of usability is based on a relative historical usage of the alternative storage network memory.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the relative historical usage is determined based on at least one of:

querying a memory usability level table;

testing a reprovisioned memory device;

determining a memory assignment;

receiving an error message;

retrieving an error message history;

receiving a message;

obtaining historical reliability data of similar reprovisioned memory devices;

a reprovisioned memory device age;

a reprovisioned memory type;

a reprovisioned memory usage level; and

and receiving a command.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the level of usability is based on a relative amount of historical usage of the alternative storage network memory and a relative utilization of the alternative storage network memory.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the memory assignment mechanism is a memory assignment table.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining whether to move encoded data slices from current memory to alternative memory is based on at least one of:

a status of the alternative memory;

a current memory utilization;

an available memory indicator of the alternative memory;

a predetermination;

a lookup;

a message; and

a command.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the current memory is a different memory type than the alternative memory.

12. A computing device comprising:

an interface configured to interface and communicate with a storage network;

memory that stores operational instructions; and

a processing module operably coupled to the interface and to the memory, wherein the processing module, when operable within the computing device based on the operational instructions, is configured to:

analyze alternative storage network memory for a level of usability to produce an alternate network memory analysis;

based on the analysis, select alternative memory available for receipt of encoded data slices stored in current memory, wherein a data object is segmented into a plurality of data segments, wherein a data segment of the plurality of data segments is dispersed error encoded in accordance with dispersed error encoding parameters to produce a set of encoded data slices;

determine whether to move encoded data slices from current memory to alternative memory;

in response to a determination to move slices, allocate alternative memory;

move at least some encoded data slices from a current memory to alternate memory; and

update a memory assignment mechanism for the at least some encoded data slices.

13. The computing device of claim 12 , wherein the processing module is further configured to:

analyze alternative storage network memory based on a trigger, wherein the trigger is at least one of:

an error message;

resumption of a previously abandoned analysis process; and

a message and a command.

14. The computing device of claim 12 , wherein the storage network memory of the storage network includes a plurality of memory devices.

15. The computing device of claim 12 , wherein the level of usability is based on a relative utilization of the alternative storage network memory.

16. The computing device of claim 12 , wherein the level of usability is based on a relative historical usage of the alternative storage network memory.

17. The computing device of claim 16 , wherein the relative historical usage is determined based on at least one of:

querying a memory usability level table;

testing a reprovisioned memory device;

determining a memory assignment;

receiving an error message;

retrieving an error message history;

receiving a message;

obtaining historical reliability data of similar reprovisioned memory devices;

a reprovisioned memory device age;

a reprovisioned memory type;

a reprovisioned memory usage level; and

and receiving a command.

18. The computing device of claim 12 , wherein the level of usability is based on a relative amount of historical usage of the alternative storage network memory and a relative utilization of the alternative storage network memory.

19. The computing device of claim 12 , wherein the memory assignment mechanism is a memory assignment table.

20. The computing device of claim 12 , wherein the determining whether to move encoded data slices from current memory to alternative memory is based on at least one of:

a status of the alternative memory;

a current memory utilization;

an available memory indicator of the alternative memory;

a predetermination;

a lookup;

a message; and

a command.