Using Multicast IP Addresses in a Distributed Storage Network
A method for execution in a storage network begins with a storage network entity receiving a write request for a data object, where the data object is dispersed error encoded in accordance with dispersed error encoding parameters to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices. The method continues with the storage network entity determining whether to store a plurality of copies of the data object; and in response to a decision to store a plurality of copies of the data object, determining a plurality of vaults for storage of the data object. The method then continues by identifying a multicast IP address associated with the plurality vaults for storage of the plurality of copies. The method then continues by generating a multicast IP message to a plurality of storage units associated with each vault of the plurality of vaults, where the storage units of the plurality of storage units are configured to determine a multicast IP address from the multicast IP message. Finally, the method continues by facilitating storage of the plurality of copies of the data object in the plurality of vaults.
1 . A method for execution by one or more processing modules of one or more computing devices of a storage network, the method comprises:
receiving a write request for a data object, wherein a data object wherein the data object is dispersed error encoded in accordance with dispersed error encoding parameters to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices;
determining whether to store a plurality of copies of the data object;
in response to a decision to store a plurality of copies of the data object, determining a plurality of vaults for storage of the data object;
identifying a multicast IP address associated with the plurality vaults for storage of the plurality of copies
generating a multicast IP message to a plurality of storage units associated with each vault of the plurality of vaults, wherein a storage unit of the plurality of storage units is configured to determine a multicast IP address from the multicast IP message; and
facilitating storage of the plurality of copies of the data object in the plurality of vaults.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein facilitating storage includes transmitting the multicast IP message to a plurality of storage units associated with a vault of the plurality of vaults.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the storage unit of the plurality of storage units is configured to determine a multicast IP address from the multicast IP message when an extracted multicast IP address compares favorably to a subscribed multicast IP address.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the storage unit of the plurality of storage units is configured to process the write request by storing a received encoded data slice when receiving a write slice request.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the storage unit subscribes to a plurality of multicast groups.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the storage unit is adapted to receive a plurality of multicast IP messages and filter out all but subscribed multicast IP addresses.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the storage unit is adapted to filter out all but subscribed multicast IP addresses based on at least one of: a vault ID, an object ID, or a slice name range.
8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the storage unit is adapted to filter out all but subscribed multicast IP addresses based on at least one of: identifying a multicast IP address field of the multicast IP message or retrieving the multicast IP address from the identified multicast IP address field.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the multicast IP message includes the multicast IP address, one or more encoded data slices, and, for each encoded data slice, a corresponding slice name.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the identifying a multicast IP address includes at least one of: assigning, interpreting system registry information, interpreting a query response, or interpreting a multicast IP address subscription.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein facilitating storage includes transmitting the multicast IP message via a network to the plurality of storage units.
12 . A computing device of a group of computing devices of a storage network, the computing device comprises:
an interface;
a local memory; and
a processing module operably coupled to the interface and the local memory, wherein the processing module functions to:
receive a write request for a data object, wherein a data object wherein the data object is dispersed error encoded in accordance with dispersed error encoding parameters to produce a plurality of sets of encoded data slices;
determine whether to store a plurality of copies of the data object;
in response to a decision to store a plurality of copies of the data object, determines a plurality of vaults for storage of the data object;
identify a multicast IP address associated with the plurality vaults for storage of the plurality of copies;
generate a multicast IP message to a plurality of storage units associated with each vault of the plurality of vaults, wherein a storage unit of the plurality of storage units is configured to determine a multicast IP address from the multicast IP message; and
facilitate storage of the plurality of copies of the data object in the plurality of vaults.
13 . The computing device of claim 12 , wherein one or more of the each storage units subscribes to multiple multicast groups.
14 . The computing device of claim 12 , wherein facilitating storage includes transmitting the multicast IP message to a plurality of storage units associated with a vault of the plurality of vaults.
15 . The computing device of claim 12 , wherein the storage unit of the plurality of storage units is configured to determine a multicast IP address from the multicast IP message when an extracted multicast IP address compares favorably to a subscribed multicast IP address.
16 . The computing device of claim 15 , wherein the storage unit of the plurality of storage units is configured to process the write request by storing a received encoded data slice when receiving a write slice request.
17 . The computing device of claim 12 , wherein the storage unit subscribes to a plurality of multicast groups.
18 . The computing device of claim 12 , wherein the storage unit is adapted to receive a plurality of multicast IP messages and filter out all but subscribed multicast IP addresses.
19 . The computing device of claim 12 , wherein the multicast IP message includes the multicast IP address, one or more encoded data slices, and for each encoded data slice, a corresponding slice name.
20 . The computing device of claim 12 , wherein facilitating storage includes transmitting the multicast IP message via a network to the plurality of storage units.