Allocating Data in a Decentralized Computer System

1 . A method for use in a decentralized computer system, the method comprising:

storing encoded data blocks in an existing set of decentralized storage units of the decentralized computer system, wherein the decentralized computer system operates in accordance with a decentralized agreement protocol;

assigning one or more additional decentralized storage units to the decentralized computing system, wherein the one or more additional decentralized storage units do not currently store the encoded data blocks;

allocating the encoded data blocks to the one or more additional decentralized storage units, in accordance with the decentralized agreement protocol; and

facilitating storage of the encoded data blocks from the existing set of decentralized storage units of the decentralized computer system to the at least one of the one or more additional decentralized storage units.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the decentralized computer system treats each decentralized storage unit of the existing set of decentralized storage units independently.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein assigning the one or more additional decentralized storage units to the decentralized computing system includes identifying the additional decentralized storage units.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising selecting the one or more additional decentralized storage units for assignment.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein assigning the one or more additional decentralized storage units to the decentralized computing system utilizes the decentralized agreement protocol.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein assigning the one or more additional decentralized storage units to the decentralized computing system includes determining a number of the one or more additional decentralized storage units.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein determining the determining the number of the one or more additional decentralized storage units is based on one or more of a predetermination, an estimated future storage requirements or existing storage utilization levels.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the decentralized agreement protocol operates based on a plurality of weights.

9 . A processing system of a decentralized computer system comprising:

a communications interface;

a memory; and

a computer processor;

wherein the memory includes instructions for causing the computer processor to perform operations that include:

storing encoded data blocks in an existing set of decentralized storage units of the decentralized computer system, wherein the decentralized computer system operates in accordance with a decentralized agreement protocol;

assigning one or more additional decentralized storage units to the decentralized computing system, wherein the one or more additional decentralized storage units do not currently store the encoded data blocks;

allocating the encoded data blocks to the one or more additional decentralized storage units, in accordance with the decentralized agreement protocol; and

facilitating storage of the encoded data blocks from the existing set of decentralized storage units of the decentralized computer system to the at least one of the one or more additional decentralized storage units.

10 . The processing system of claim 9 , wherein the decentralized computer system treats each decentralized storage unit of the existing set of decentralized storage units independently.

11 . The processing system of claim 9 , wherein assigning the one or more additional decentralized storage units to the decentralized computing system includes identifying the additional decentralized storage units.

12 . The processing system of claim 9 , further comprising selecting the one or more additional decentralized storage units for assignment.

13 . The processing system of claim 9 , wherein assigning the one or more additional decentralized storage units to the decentralized computing system utilizes the decentralized agreement protocol.

14 . The processing system of claim 9 , wherein assigning the one or more additional decentralized storage units to the decentralized computing system includes determining a number of the one or more additional decentralized storage units.

15 . The processing system of claim 14 , wherein determining the determining the number of the one or more additional decentralized storage units is based on one or more of a predetermination, an estimated future storage requirements or existing storage utilization levels.

16 . The processing system of claim 9 , wherein the decentralized agreement protocol operates based on a plurality of weights.

17 . A processing system of a decentralized computer system comprising:

means for storing encoded data blocks in an existing set of decentralized storage units of the decentralized computer system, wherein the decentralized computer system operates in accordance with a decentralized agreement protocol;

means for assigning one or more additional decentralized storage units to the decentralized computing system, wherein the one or more additional decentralized storage units do not currently store the encoded data blocks;

means for allocating the encoded data blocks to the one or more additional decentralized storage units, in accordance with the decentralized agreement protocol; and

means for facilitating storage of the encoded data blocks from the existing set of decentralized storage units of the decentralized computer system to the at least one of the one or more additional decentralized storage units.

18 . The processing system of claim 17 , wherein the decentralized computer system treats each decentralized storage unit of the existing set of decentralized storage units independently.

19 . The processing system of claim 17 , wherein the decentralized agreement protocol operates based on a plurality of weights.

20 . The processing system of claim 17 , further comprising means for selecting the one or more additional decentralized storage units for assignment.