Multiuser mode

Tosca provides access management for elements of the common repository. This prevents access conflicts irrespective of the number of users.

You can apply the following mechanisms: Checkin, Checkout and Update All.

When Tosca Commander is used in a multiuser environment, the common repository is stored in a database.

All Tosca Commander installations used within the same project must be of the same version, as is the rule for complete Tricentis Tosca.

Common repositories support various databases (see chapter "Connecting Common Repositories").

If common repositories are used with SQLite or other databases, this may involve the following advantages and disadvantages:

Advantage of SQLite

Common repositories that use SQLite can be created very quickly on a network drive. System administrators do not need to configure any additional settings or perform administrative tasks.

Disadvantages of SQLite

  • Administration of multiple users might be slow.

  • The result of an increasing data volume is a significant decline of performance.

  • Resources are only available to a certain extent when compared to database servers.

  • Operations that are performed by several users at the same time such as UpdateAll or CheckinAll may cause damage to the SQLite database and might lead to a loss of data. For further technical details on this Windows API issue, please refer to the SQLite website, article Appropriate Uses For SQLite and section How To Corrupt Your Database Files.

Tricentis recommends using SQLite common repositories for training or demo purposes.

SQLite common repositories are not supported in productive multiuser environments.

Advantage of other databases

  • Common repositories used with other databases allow for large user groups.

  • Common repositories used with other databases provide a stable performance when the data volume increases.

  • From a hardware point of view, database servers allow for additional resources that are also improved.

Disadvantage of other databases

  • Configuring and creating databases for Tosca requires the support of a system administrator.

  • Make sure that all PCs with a Tosca installation have access to the database. Attention must be paid to settings for access rights, ports and firewalls.

Tricentis recommends using a database with a database server for productive test environments.

Preparing the multiuser mode

Please follow the steps below to be able to work in multiuser environments:

  1. Prepare the database for the common repository (see chapter "Preparing databases for the multiuser mode").

  2. When you create a new workspace, connect to a common repository (see chapter "Connecting Common Repositories").

Managed Files Area - Restrict access

The Managed Files Area serves to manage referenced files (see chapter "Create file reference with central storage location"). You can specify individual access data for the Managed Files Area.

If you use Tricentis File Service, Tosca Commander saves files directly to the file service. The option to reference files is not available.

Specify the required access data via the Settings dialog (see "Settings - Commander"). You can also set the login information in the project window by choosing Set Credentials for Managed Files Area from the context menu of the project root element. You can define the access data in the subsequent dialog boxes.

If you specify values via the Settings dialog, please make sure to reopen your workspace in order to adopt the changes.