Pure Storage, Inc.
Using trap slices for anomaly detection in a distributed storage network

Abstract:

A method for execution by a distributed storage (DS) unit of a dispersed storage network (DSN), includes receiving a set of write slice requests that includes a set of slice names that are not utilized to store encoded data slices (EDSs), where each write slice request from the set of slice names that are not utilized to store encoded data slices includes a trap slice. The method continues with an access slice request that includes a requested slice name being received from a second DSN client, and then continues by determining whether the requested slice name corresponds to a trap slice stored by the DS unit. When the requested slice name corresponds to a trap slice, an action is determined for the access slice request based on an anomaly processing scheme.