11 Years of Experience in TWAIN SDKs and Version Control Solutions
Visual SourceSafe (VSS) Internet Access
 
SourceAnywhere for VSS - Fastest Visual SourceSafe (VSS) Internet Access Tool Recommended by Microsoft
Fastest Visual SourceSafe (VSS) Internet Access Tool Recommended by Microsoft

FAQ

Questions



General
  1. Does SourceAnywhere for VSS trial have any limited functionalities?
  2. Is it necessary to reinstall SourceAnywhere for VSS after purchasing?
  3. What are the differences between Professional Edition and Standard Edition?
  4. Can SourceAnywhere for VSS Server be installed on a machine different from the one with Visual SourceSafe database?
  5. Is it necessary to install Visual SourceSafe (VSS) Client on SourceAnywhere for VSS Server machine?
  6. Is it necessary to install Visual SourceSafe (VSS) Client on SourceAnywhere for VSS Client machine?
  7. Can our local team still use Visual SourceSafe (VSS) and our remote team use SourceAnywhere for VSS on the same database?
  8. Can I run SourceAnywhere for VSS Client on Linux or Mac?
  9. Can I run SourceAnywhere for VSS Server on Linux or Mac?
  10. Which proxy types does SourceAnywhere for VSS support?
  11. Can I use my network logon name to automatically log in SourceAnywhere for VSS without a password?
Troubleshooting
  1. Why can't SourceAnywhere for VSS service be started?
  2. Why can't SourceAnywhere for VSS service be stopped?
  3. Why do I get error message "Error connecting to <IP> : <Port>" when connecting to SourceAnywhere for VSS Server?
  4. Why do I get error message "Error opening database<path to srcsafe.ini>" or "The SourceSafe database <path to srcsafe.ini> does not exist. Please select another database." when connecting to SourceAnywhere for VSS Server?
  5. Why do I get error message "The client is not compatible with the server" when connecting to SourceAnywhere for VSS Server?
  6. Why do I get error message "File <path to srcsafe.ini>not found" when I try to login?
  7. Why do I get error message "Wrong username or password" when I try to login?
  8. Why do I get error message "The user '<username>' is not configured in the Server..." when I try to login?
  9. Why do I get error message "File does not exist? when I try to get or view a file?
  10. Why do I get error message "Socket is closed by Server. Error creating local temp file" when I check in or add files?
How To
  1. How to check the Logon User of SourceAnywhere for VSS Service?
  2. How to check the Security setting of a Windows folder?
  3. How to check the Share permission setting of a Windows folder?
  4. How to determine the temp directory of SourceAnywhere for VSS server?
  5. How to make sure SourceAnywhere for VSS server has enough permission of the temp folder?
  6. How to check SourceAnywhere for VSS Server Log?
  7. How to input my serial number?
  8. How to allow a Visual SourceSafe (VSS) user to access Visual SourceSafe (VSS) DB through SourceAnywhere for VSS?
  9. How to upgrade to newer version of SourceAnywhere for VSS?
  10. How to set the port of SourceAnywhere for VSS server?
  11. How to make SourceAnywhere for VSS work with NAT?
  12. How to use SourceAnywhere for VSS for automated source control processing?
  13. How to find the "Visual SourceSafe (VSS) DB Analyze" tool?
  14. How to configure SourceAnywhere for VSS to access a Visual SourceSafe (VSS) database on another machine?
IDE Client
  1. Which IDE integrations does SourceAnywhere for VSS support?
  2. Can I switch freely between SourceAnywhere for VSS and Visual SourceSafe as SCC provider in Visual Studio IDE integration?
  3. How to integrate SourceAnywhere for VSS with Visual Studio 2005?
  4. How to integrate SourceAnywhere for VSS with Visual Studio 6.0/ Visual Studio .NET 2003?
Licensing
  1. If I already have licenses, can I add more licenses later when I need it?
  2. If I have purchased 5-user serial number, do I need another 5-user serial number when I want to increase the number of users to 10? Or do I just need to pay for the price difference between 5-user and 10-user serial numbers?
  3. Can I use one SourceAnywhere for VSS serial number on more than one SourceAnywhere for VSS server?
  4. To use SourceAnywhere for VSS, do we need proportional number of Visual SourceSafe licenses from Microsoft?
  5. If I purchase SourceAnywhere for VSS Client licenses, do I need to purchase the Server license or it is included?
  6. Where should I input the serial number?
  7. We need SourceAnywhere for VSS Professional Edition, but we purchased the Standard Edition by mistake. What should we do?
Upgrading
  1. How much do I need to pay for the upgrades?
  2. How to upgrade to a new version of SourceAnywhere for VSS?

Answers



General

1.    Does SourceAnywhere for VSS trial have any limited functionalities?

No. SourceAnywhere for VSS trial is a full functional version with 30-day trial period.

2.   Is it necessary to reinstall SourceAnywhere for VSS after purchasing?

No. After purchasing, it is not necessary to reinstall the SAW. Inputting the permanent serial number will activate the product.

3.    What are the differences between Professional Edition and Standard Edition?

The following table lists the major differences between Professional Edition and Standard Edition:

 

Professional Edition

Standard Edition

Cross-Platform

Yes

No

Delta Transfer

Yes

No

Dreamweaver IDE Integration

Yes

No

Command Line Client

Yes

No

For more details about the differences, you can refer to:
http://www.dynamsoft.com/Products/SAW_EditionComparison.aspx. 

4.    Can SourceAnywhere for VSS Server be installed on a machine different from the one with Visual SourceSafe database?

Yes. It can be installed on a different machine from the one with the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) database, as long as they are connected.

If you get an error message "Error opening database <path to srcsafe.ini>", please click here.

5.    Is it necessary to install Visual SourceSafe (VSS) Client on SourceAnywhere for VSS Server machine?

Yes. The SourceAnywhere for VSS Server uses the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) Automation component (API), so the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) Client component must be installed on the server machine with SourceAnywhere for VSS Server. Installing the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) Client also installs the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) API.

6.    Is it necessary to install Visual SourceSafe (VSS) Client on SourceAnywhere for VSS Client machine?

No. The SourceAnywhere for VSS Client is independent so it is not necessary to install Visual SourceSafe (VSS) Client on the machine.

7.    Can our local team still use Visual SourceSafe (VSS) and our remote team use SourceAnywhere for VSS on the same database?

Yes. The co-existence of Visual SourceSafe and SourceAnywhere for VSS is OK. SourceAnywhere for VSS Server behaves like another Visual SourceSafe Client when it accesses the Visual SourceSafe database, so running SourceAnywhere for VSS does not affect other Visual SourceSafe users.

Actually, this is the common scenario how our customers use SourceAnywhere for VSS.

8.    Can I run SourceAnywhere for VSS Client on Linux or Mac?

Yes. SourceAnywhere for VSS Professional Edition has a Java Client that can run on any platform where Java Virtual Machine can run, including Windows, Linux, Mac, Solaris, AIX, HP-UX, SCO Unix, FreeBSD and so on.

9.    Can I run SourceAnywhere for VSS Server on Linux or Mac?

No. SourceAnywhere for VSS Server must be installed on a Windows machine.

10.    Which proxy types does SourceAnywhere for VSS support?

SourceAnywhere for VSS supports all the proxy types, including SOCKS4, SOCKS5 and HTTP proxy.

11. Can I use my network logon name to automatically log in SourceAnywhere for VSS without a password?

No. Even if the "Use Network Name For Automatic User Log In" option is enabled in Visual SourceSafe (VSS), you still need to use the Visual SourceSafe username and password to log in SourceAnywhere for VSS.

 

Troubleshooting

1.    Why can't SourceAnywhere for VSS service be started?

There are several possibilities. The SourceAnywhere for VSS Server log file gives you valuable information for the troubleshooting. Please check the log file first. For information about how to check the log file, please click here.

Please verify the following items:  

  • Verify the logged in user account has administrative right to start or stop service
  • Verify that the TCP/IP is installed on the machine and is set properly. 
  • Verify the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) Client is installed on the SourceAnywhere for VSS server machine. It provides the Automation Component that the SourceAnywhere for VSS Server uses to communicate with the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) database. 
  • Verify that the SourceAnywhere for VSS Service Log On user has access to the installation directory of SourceAnywhere for VSS Server. For information about how to check the Log On user of a service, please click here.

2.    Why can't SourceAnywhere for VSS service be stopped?

The likeliest cause of this problem is that the current user does not have administrative right to start/stop service.

3.    Why do I get error message "Error connecting to <IP> : <Port>" when I try to connect to SourceAnywhere for VSS Server?

There are four possible causes of this problem. Verify the following things:

  • Make sure the network connection between the SourceAnywhere for VSS Server and Client is OK.
  • Make sure the Server IP you are connecting to is correct. Please check if the IP address is listed in Server Manager->ServerInfo->General Settings->Server IP.
  • If you have a firewall configured on the Server or Client, please make sure the firewall does not block the port you specify in Server Manager->ServerInfo->General Settings, as seen in the following figure (click to view the full image):

  • If SourceAnywhere for VSS Server is installed on a Windows XP SP2 or Windows Server 2003 SP1 machine, please check if Windows Firewall is enabled on this server machine. If yes, it is likely the Windows Firewall is blocking connections from SourceAnywhere for VSS Client. In this case, please add a Windows Firewall exception for SourceAnywhere for VSS Service.

    For SourceAnywhere for VSS 5 Professional Server, the path of SourceAnywhere for VSS Service is "(system disk):\Program Files\DynamSoft\SourceAnywhere for VSS 5 Professional Server\SAWService.exe". For information on how to add a Windows Firewall exception, please click.

4. Why do I get error message "Error opening database <path to srcsafe.ini>" or "The SourceSafe database <path to srcsafe.ini> does not exist. Please select another database." when I try to connect to SourceAnywhere for VSS Server?

Troubleshooting of this problem depends on whether the SourceAnywhere for VSS Server is installed on the same machine where the VSS database resides.

If YES, please verify the following thing:

  • The Log On user of SourceAnywhere for VSS service should have read/write permission of the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) directory.

For information about how to check the Log On user of SourceAnywhere for VSS service, please click here.

If NO, please verify the following things:

  • If you specify a local user as the Log On user, please verify this username also exists on the machine where Visual SourceSafe (VSS) database resides and the passwords of these two users are identical. Meanwhile, you need to verify the user on the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) machine has read/write permissions and read/change share permissions of the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) directory.
    Please click here for information about how to check Security setting of a Windows folder, and click here to see how to check Share Permissions setting of a Windows folder. 
  • If you specify a domain user as the Log On user and SourceAnywhere for VSS Server is installed in the same domain as the one with Visual SourceSafe (VSS) database, please verify this domain user has read/write permissions and read/change share permissions of of the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) directory.  
  • No mapped driver letter is used to specify the path to srcsafe.ini, since the mapped driver may not be available for SourceAnywhere for VSS service.
    If you map \\ServerName\ShareName to driver Z:, for example, you should use the full network path \\ServerName\ShareName\SuorceSafe\srcsafe.ini to specify the path to srcsafe.ini, rather than Z:\SourceSafe\srcsafe.ini.

5.    Why do I get error message "The client is not compatible with the server" when I try to connect to SourceAnywhere for VSS Server?

There are two possible reasons:

  • The versions of SourceAnywhere for VSS Server and Client are different (or incompatible).
  • The editions of SourceAnywhere for VSS Server and Client are different.  SourceAnywhere for VSS has two editions: Professional Edition and Standard Edition.

6.    Why do I get error message "File <path to srcsafe.ini>not found" when I try to login?

The possible cause is that the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) database is corrupted. Run the Analyze tool first to check the integrity of the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) DB. Please make sure to backup the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) database before running the tool. For information about how to find the "VSS Analyze tool", please click here.

7.    Why do I get error message "Wrong username or password" when I try to login?

There are several possible reasons for this problem. Please verify the following things:

  • Verify the username and password are correct. 
  • Verify the user exists in Visual SourceSafe (VSS). Please note adding a user to SourceAnywhere for VSS does not create the user in Visual SourceSafe (VSS) database. It only specifies which user is allowed to access Visual SourceSafe (VSS) database through SourceAnywhere for VSS Server.
  • Verify the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) database you are trying to log in is your desired database. The path of the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) database can be configured in SourceAnywhere for VSS Server Manager->Database, as seen in the following figure (click to view the full image):

8.    Why do I get error message "The user '<username>' is not configured in the Server..." when I try to login?

Please verify the following things:

  • The user has been added in SourceAnywhere for VSS Server Manager, as seen in the following page (click to view the full image):

  • The status of this user is active.
  • After you added this user in Server Manager, you restarted SourceAnywhere for VSS Service.

9.    Why do I get error message "File does not exist" when I try to get or view a file?

The possible cause is that the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) database is corrupted. Run the Analyze tool first to check the integrity of the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) DB. Please make sure to backup the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) database before running the tool. For information about how to find the "Analyze VSS DB" tool, please click here.

10.  Why do I get error message "Socket is closed by Server. Error creating local temp file" when I check in or add files?

The cause of this problem is that SourceAnywhere for VSS server does not have read/write permission of the temp folder. For information about how to make sure SourceAnywhere for VSS server has enough permission of the temp folder, please click here.  

 

How To

1.   How to check the Logon User of SourceAnywhere for VSS Service?

This setting is in Control Panel->Admin Tools->Services->Dynamsoft SourceAnywhere for VSS 5->Properties->Logon tab, as seen in the following figure:

2.    How to check the Security setting of a Windows folder?

Please follow steps below:

  • Right click the Windows folder and click Property
  • In the Folder Properties dialog box, select the Security tab, as seen in the following figure:

3.    How to check the Share permission setting of a Windows folder?

  • Right click the Windows folder and click Property
  • In the (folder name) Folder Properties dialog box, select the Sharing tab

  • Click Share this folder and then click Permission button, as seen in the following figure:


     

  • In the Permission for (folder name) dialog box, specify a username/group and then set permissions, as seen in the following figure:

4.    How to determine the temp directory of SourceAnywhere for VSS server? 

The temp directory of SourceAnywhere for VSS server can be specified in SourceAnywhere for VSS Server Manager->Server Info->General Setting->Temp Path, as seen in the following figure (click to view the full image):

If the temp directory is not specified, SourceAnywhere for VSS server will use the default temp directory. The default temporary directory of SourceAnywhere for VSS Server is the 'temp' folder under the installation directory. 

5.     How to make sure SourceAnywhere for VSS server has enough permission of the temp folder?

Please follow steps below:

  • Determine the temp path of SourceAnywhere for VSS server. For information about how to determine the temp path of SourceAnywhere for VSS server, please click here.
  • Check the Log On user of SourceAnywhere for VSS Service. For information about how to check the Log On user of SourceAnywhere for VSS Service, please click here.
  • Check security setting of the temp folder. Make sure the Log On user of SourceAnywhere for VSS Service has read/write permission of the temp folder. For information about how to check the security setting of a Windows folder, please click here.

6.    How to check SourceAnywhere for VSS Server Log?

The SourceAnywhere for VSS Server log file gives you valuable information about the system. In many cases, you may need to consult the log file.

The log file can be viewed from: SourceAnywhere for VSS Server Manager->Server Info->System Log->View log, as seen in the following figure (click to view the full image):

7.   How to input my serial number?

SourceAnywhere for VSS serial number can be input on the server-side from SourceAnywhere for VSS Server Manager->ServerInfo->Serial Numbers, as seen in the following figure (click to view the full image):

8.   How to allow a Visual SourceSafe (VSS) user to access VSS DB through SourceAnywhere for VSS?

Please follow steps below:

  • Add the VSS DB in SourceAnywhere for VSS Server Manager,  as seen in the following figure (click to view the full image):

Add the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) user in SourceAnywhere for VSS Server Manager, as seen in the following figure (click to view the full image):

Please note adding a user to SourceAnywhere for VSS does not create the user in Visual SourceSafe (VSS) database. It only specifies which user is allowed to access Visual SourceSafe (VSS) database through SourceAnywhere for VSS Server.

9.   How to upgrade to newer version of SourceAnywhere for VSS?

For the answer to this FAQ, please click here.

10.   How to set the port of SourceAnywhere for VSS server?

The ports through which the Server communicates with the Client can be specified in SourceAnywhere for VSS Server Manager->ServerInfo->General Settings, as seen in the following figure (click to view the full image):

11.  How to make SourceAnywhere for VSS work with NAT?

To make SourceAnywhere for VSS work with NAT server, 

  • Configure the NAT server to map the public IP/port to SourceAnywhere for VSS server IP/port.
  • Set the default gateway of SourceAnywhere for VSS Server to the internal IP of your NAT server.
  • On SourceAnywhere for VSS Client, use the public NAT IP/port as the SourceAnywhere for VSS IP/port. The NAT server will transfer all the packages to your SourceAnywhere for VSS server.

For example, there are the following settings:

  • IP/port of your local SourceAnywhere for VSS server is 198.168.2.50:8877
  • Public IP of NAT server: 82.165.242.265
  • Internal IP of your NAT server: 192.168.2.2
  • Port for SourceAnywhere for VSS server on your NAT server: 8877

And you'll need to make the following configurations:

  • Use NAT server to map 82.165.242.265:8877 to 198.168.2.50:8877.
  • Set the default gateway of SourceAnywhere for VSS Server to 192.168.2.2.
  • In the Connect to Server dialog
    • box, fill in the public IP/port of NAT server as the SourceAnywhere for VSS Server IP/port, as seen in the following figure:

12.  How to use SourceAnywhere for VSS for automated source control processing?

You can write script to use SourceAnywhere for VSS Command Line Client (provided by Professional Edition only) for automated source control processing.  SourceAnywhere for VSS Command Line Client supports all the major operations.

13.  How to find the "VSS DB Analyze" tool?

The Analyze VSS DB tool can be found in the program group of Visual SourceSafe (Start Menu->All Programs->Microsoft Visual Studio->Microsoft Visual SourceSafe->Analyze VSS DB).

14. How to configure SourceAnywhere for VSS to access a VSS database on another machine?

The path to VSS database can be configured through the Databases tab of SourceAnywhere for VSS Server Manager, as seen in the following figure (click to view the full image):

If the VSS database is located on a different machine from the one with SourceAnywhere for server, the path to srcsafe.ini should be a UNC pathname of the shared VSS database, for example, \\192.168.1.13\Shared\VSS\srcsafe.ini.

To avoid some common issues that may occur during this configuration, we recommend you verify the following things before configuring the Database tab:

  • If you specify a local user as the Log On user, please verify this username also exists on the machine where VSS database resides and the passwords of these two users are identical. Meanwhile, you need to verify the user on the VSS machine has read/write permissions and read/change share permissions of the VSS directory.
    Please click here for information about how to check Security setting of a Windows folder, and click here to see how to check Share Permissions setting of a Windows folder.
  • If you specify a domain user as the Log On user and SourceAnywhere for VSS Server is installed in the same domain as the one with VSS database, please verify this domain user has read/write permissions and read/change share permissions of of the Visual SourceSafe (VSS) directory.
  • No mapped driver letter is used to specify the path to srcsafe.ini, since the mapped driver may not be available for SourceAnywhere for Visual SourceSafe (VSS) service.

    If you map \\ServerName\ShareName to driver Z:, for example, you should use the full network path \\ServerName\ShareName\SuorceSafe\srcsafe.ini to specify the path to srcsafe.ini, rather than Z:\SourceSafe\srcsafe.ini.

 

IDE Client

1.  Which IDE integrations does SourceAnywhere for Visual SourceSafe (VSS) support?

SourceAnywhere for Visual SourceSafe (VSS) supports all MSSCCI compatible IDE integrations such as Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Visual Studio .NET, Borland JBuilder, Borland Delphi and IBM Rational Rapid Developer. 

Also, SourceAnywhere for Visual SourceSafe (VSS) Professional Edition supports DreamWeaver integration.

2.  Can I switch freely between SourceAnywhere for VSS and Visual SourceSafe as SCC provider in Visual Studio IDE integration?

Yes. But there is one exception:

In Visual Studio.NET, web projects must be created using Visual SourceSafe. For these projects, you can freely switch between SourceAnywhere for VSS and Visual SourceSafe.

If a web project is initially created using SourceAnywhere for VSS, only Visual Studio.NET with SourceAnywhere for VSS Integration can load the project. Visual Studio.NET with Visual SourceSafe Integration will not be able to load the project.
 

3.  How to integrate SourceAnywhere for VSS with Visual Studio 2005?

To integrate SourceAnywhere for VSS with Visual Studio 2005:
 

  • Start Visual Studio 2005.
  • Click menu Tools-> Options.
  • Click the "Source Control" node in the left side tree.
  • Choose "Dynamsoft SourceAnywhere for VSS" in the "Current source control plug-in" combo box, as seen in the following figure (click to view the full image):
 

4.  How to integrate SourceAnywhere for VSS with Visual Studio 6.0/ Visual Studio .NET 2003?

To integrate SourceAnywhere for VSS with Visual Studio 6.0/ Visual Studio .NET 2003, change the SCC provider to SourceAnywhere for VSS in SCC Provider Manager, which can be launched from the program group of SourceAnywhere for VSS Client, as seen in the following figure:

 

Licensing

1. If I already have licenses, can I add more licenses later when I need it?

Yes. You can purchase additional licenses and add them in Server Manager. For information about how to input the serial number, please click here.

For example, you purchased a 5-user serial number and now you need to add 2 additional licenses. In this case, you can purchase another 2-user serial number and add them to SourceAnywhere for VSS. Thus, the total number of permanent licenses becomes 7.

2. If I have purchased 5-user serial number, do I need another 5-user serial number when I want to increase the number of users to 10? Or do I just need to pay for the price difference between 5-user and 10-user serial numbers?

We take the different order as the separated one. You need to purchase another 5-user serial number rather than just pay for the price difference.

3.  Can I use one SourceAnywhere for VSS serial number on more than one SourceAnywhere for VSS server?

No. One SourceAnywhere for VSS serial number can be applied on only one SourceAnywhere for VSS server, even if the users on different SourceAnywhere for VSS servers are actually the same users.

4.  To use SourceAnywhere for VSS, do we need proportional number of Visual SourceSafe licenses from Microsoft?

Yes. To use SourceAnywhere for VSS, you must be a licensed user of Microsoft Visual SourceSafe. Please refer to the Microsoft Visual SourceSafe license agreement for specific details.

However, if you already have a VSS license, you do not need an additional VSS license to use SourceAnywhere for VSS.

5. If I purchase SourceAnywhere for VSS Client licenses, do I need to purchase the Server license or it is included?

It is included. SourceAnywhere for VSS is licensed on a per user basis. The Server does not take a license.

6. Where should I input the serial number?

SourceAnywhere for VSS licensing is configured exclusively on the server-side from the Serial Numbers page of the Server Manager, as seen in the following figure (click to view the full image):

7. We need SourceAnywhere for VSS Professional Edition, but we purchased the Standard Edition by mistake. What should we do? 

We provide upgrade to SourceAnywhere for VSS Professional Edition from same version Standard Edition.

For details about the upgrade, please purchase the upgrade at SourceAnywhere for VSS purchase page:
https://www.dynamsoft.com/Secure/SAW_BuyIt.aspx

 

Upgrading

1.  How much do I need to pay for the upgrades?

We provide free upgrade from version 6.x to version 6.x.

Upgrade from previous versions can be ordered on the purchase page:
https://www.dynamsoft.com/Secure/SAW_BuyIt.aspx

2.  How to upgrade to a new version of SourceAnywhere for VSS?

To upgrade to a new version, please follow the steps in this article: