Question:Use of DSNs by Project 2003?

[B. Chernick]

I have a Dot Net 2 app that programmatically creates an instance of MS
Project 2003 and then issues an app.FileOpen command. My current use of the
command is essentially: rc = aApp.FileOpen(<DSN Name>\ProjectName, True, , ,
, , , , , "MSProject.odbc")

Given that MS Project 2003 needs a DSN/ODBC connection to load projects from
SQL Server 2000, is there anyway to set up a DSN-less ODBC connection that
the FileOpen command could use?

(I'm looking for options to simplify deployment, to avoid the need to
manually create a DSN on every machine the app is installed on. I'm also
looking at creating a DSN programmatically, but the documentation seems a bit
dated. Also want to avoid looking for something that does not exist.)

 

[Chak]

Hello Chernick,

Project Server 2002 and Project Server 2003 systems are designed to
use ODBC connectivity between client and server to access the MS
Project Plans. Have you noticed the System DSN called "PC11DSN" on
Project Server 2003 machine? If not, log on to Project Server 2003
machine and look for System DSN under Control Panel -> ODBC. You will
see the "PC11DSN" as system DSN. Installation of MS Project Server
2003 automatically creates this DSN on server machine. This DSN used
to connect server by using SQL DB user called "MSProjectServerUser"

You may use this DSN and I hope this DSN name will be same on every
machine. Also you no need to create the DSN on local machines as your
web application is running on server.

So, ODBC connectivity is by design. You have to use DSN name prefix
with project name to open the project plan from database.

MS Project Server 2007 have new system architecture and there is no
DSN concept.

Thanks
Chak
http://www.epmcentral.com

 

[B. Chernick]

Sorry but we're not using Project Server.

Hello Chernick,

Project Server 2002 and Project Server 2003 systems are designed to
use ODBC connectivity between client and server to access the MS
Project Plans. Have you noticed the System DSN called "PC11DSN" on
Project Server 2003 machine? If not, log on to Project Server 2003
machine and look for System DSN under Control Panel -> ODBC. You will
see the "PC11DSN" as system DSN. Installation of MS Project Server
2003 automatically creates this DSN on server machine. This DSN used
to connect server by using SQL DB user called "MSProjectServerUser"

You may use this DSN and I hope this DSN name will be same on every
machine. Also you no need to create the DSN on local machines as your
web application is running on server.

So, ODBC connectivity is by design. You have to use DSN name prefix
with project name to open the project plan from database.

MS Project Server 2007 have new system architecture and there is no
DSN concept.

Thanks
Chak
http://www.epmcentral.com