VisualSVN Server 4.0 Released
We are happy to announce the release of VisualSVN Server 4.0 with the following main enhancements:
- Viewing Word, Photoshop and Illustrator files in the web interface.
- Blame/Annotate view in the web interface.
- New licensing model with Community, Essential and Enterprise licenses.
- A number of new and updated PowerShell cmdlets.
There are many other significant improvements related to various VisualSVN Server features, some of which are listed below. For the complete list of changes, see the VisualSVN Server 4.0.0 changelog.
Upgrade to VisualSVN Server 4.0 is recommended for all users. The upgrade is easy and straightforward, but it is highly recommended to read the KB149: Upgrading to VisualSVN Server 4.0 article beforehand (especially if you are upgrading from VisualSVN Server Standard Edition).
Download VisualSVN Server 4.0 from the main download page.
Viewing Word, Photoshop and Illustrator files in the web interface
VisualSVN Server 4.0 adds support for .docx, .psd and .ai files preview in the web interface. Viewing works entirely on the client-side (in the browser) and supports all standard kinds of the specified file formats. It dramatically improves the usability of VisualSVN Server and Subversion as a Document Management System (DMS).
Try the new feature by clicking one of the documents in the demo repository.
Blame/Annotate view in the web interface
VisualSVN Server 4.0 adds the Blame/Annotate view to the web interface. In the blame view, each line in the file gets annotated with the author, date and revision number of the most recent change. Blame view also features the Blame previous revision command that helps to efficiently examine blame results for earlier revisions.
Try the new feature in the demo repository.
New licensing model with Community, Essential and Enterprise licenses
The previous licensing model with a flat $950 price for Enterprise license was introduced back in 2010. A lot of things have changed since then, and that's why we have decided to make this change.
Starting from version 4.0, VisualSVN Server is available under three different licenses:
- Community license (free). This free and fully functional license enables core VisualSVN Server features such as the VisualSVN Server Manager MMC console, PowerShell Scripting and Automation, rich HTML5- powered web interface and support for secure HTTPS. The free Community license is available for commercial use and allows creating up to 15 Subversion user accounts.
- Essential license (paid). This license allows using all features of the Community license and adds additional features such as Scheduled Backup Jobs and Multisite Repository Replication (VDFS). The cost of the license depends on the maximum number of active users and the VDFS repositories allowed by the license.
- Enterprise license (paid). This license allows using all features of the Essential license and adds enterprise-grade features such as Windows authentication (including Active Directory Single Sign-On), Remote Server Administration, Access and Operational Logging and so on. The cost of the license depends on the maximum number of active users and VDFS repositories allowed by the license.
With the new licensing model, the minimal price for the paid Essential and Enterprise licenses is $55 and $350 respectively, and this makes paid features available to a wider range of users. At the same time, new licensing model provides a fundamental basis for further development of advanced enterprise features required by large customers. We are already actively working on exciting new features that will become available in the upcoming releases.
Consider the article KB146: VisualSVN Server 4.0 Licensing Overview for more information about the new licensing. You can see the current prices for the Essential and Enterprise licenses on the Licensing page.
What happens to existing Enterprise licenses?
To ensure a smooth transition for enterprise customers, all existing Enterprise licenses with an active maintenance are treated as valid licenses for VisualSVN Server 4.0 with an unlimited number of users and VDFS repositories. Thus, you can upgrade to VisualSVN Server 4.0 right now and without any unexpected expenses.
Moreover, all existing customers have an opportunity to renew their Enterprise licenses for the old $475 price (and for an unlimited number of users and VDFS repositories, too). This is a one-time opportunity available only for pre-4.0 licenses with an active maintenance subscription that were purchased before May 15, 2019. Further renewals will be processed using the new pricing model.
Are there any discounts for those who are upgrading from the Standard Edition?
We provide a 50% discount for all the existing customers who have more than 15 Subversion user accounts and are going to upgrade to the Essential license. Please use the RPCNTZ7TRL coupon code which is valid until September 1, 2019.
We also are going to provide a significant discount for all the existing customers who were using Windows Basic Authentication in Standard Edition and are going to upgrade to the Enterprise license. Please contact us at sales@visualsvn.com to get your individual coupon code. This opportunity is available until September 1, 2019 too.
A number of new and updated PowerShell cmdlets
VisualSVN Server 4.0 adds TLS/SSL server certificate management capabilities to the Get- and Set-SvnServerConfiguration PowerShell cmdlets and also introduces the following new cmdlets:
- New-SvnServerCertificateRequest: generates a Certificate Signing Request (CSR).
- Get-SvnServerLicense: returns details about the license installed on a VisualSVN Server instance.
- Set-SvnServerLicense: updates the license on a VisualSVN Server instance.
- Export-SvnRepository: exports one or multiple repositories.
- Invoke-SvnJob: runs a background job and waits until it completes.
For the complete list of available PowerShell cmdlets, see the KB88: VisualSVN Server PowerShell Cmdlet Reference.
Other VisualSVN Server 4.0 significant changes
VisualSVN Server 4.0 introduces a number of other significant improvements, such as the following:
- Updated look & feel of the web interface. The web interface received several look and feel tweaks and improvements including a new navbar and revamped Commit Details view.
- Downloading folders in the web interface. Any folder inside a repository may now be downloaded as a ZIP archive using the `Download` button.
- Linking to the specific line of code in the web interface. It is now possible to share links to specific lines of code at certain revision.
- Viewing password-protected PDF files in the web interface. It is now possible to view password-protected PDF files.
- New Export Repository wizard. The new wizard allows for exporting repositories in the form of hotcopy, dump or compressed dump.
- New option to Obtain certificate from Active Directory in the installer. There is a new option to generate the SSL/TLS certificate from your Active Directory Certificate Services when you install VisualSVN Server on a domain- joined computer.
- Self-service password changing for Subversion user accounts. VisualSVN Server 4.0 allows users to change their passwords via the web interface when your server is configured to use Subversion authentication.
Upgrade and compatibility concerns
Upgrade to VisualSVN Server 4.0 is recommended for all users. Read the KB149: Upgrading to VisualSVN Server 4.0 article before upgrading (especially when you upgrade from Standard Edition).
Starting from version 4.0, Standard and Enterprise Editions are replaced with new Community, Essential and Enterprise licenses. During the upgrade to version 4.0, your server will automatically switch to the new licensing model. If you are upgrading from Standard Edition, in most cases it will be automatically replaced by the free Community license. However, if you use Windows Authentication or if there are more than 15 Subversion user accounts, you will need to apply a sufficient Essential or Enterprise license key or start the 45 days evaluation period. For further details read the article KB147: How the licensing model changes in VisualSVN Server 4.0 for more information.
Starting from VisualSVN Server 4.0, the repository web interface no longer supports Internet Explorer 10. You need to upgrade to Internet Explorer 11 or use another supported browser with the repository web interface. Read the article KB151: Browsers supported by VisualSVN Server Web Interface for more information.
Word is either registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Illustrator and Photoshop are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe in the United States and/or other countries.