A method for a dispersed storage network (DSN) begins by determining an I/O (input/output) capacity of a storage level of DSN memory. The method continues by determining a required performance level to meet operational demands of services operating at the storage level. The method continues by setting a storage level throttle rate based on the I/O capacity and the required performance level and determining a remaining I/O performance of the DSN memory to be allocated to a higher storage level.