Application life-cycle management vendor CollabNet introduced last week a beta version of CollabNet Subversion Edge, a software stack that combines the software configuration management tool with Apache’s HTTP Web server and ViewVC, an open-source tool written in Python for visual repository browsing. Layered on top is a new Web-based management interface, which installs, manages and automatically updates the components.
CollabNet certifies that all the parts in the package work together, and it includes everything someone would need to run the environment, said Victoria Griggs, senior director of product marketing. It’s also more accessible for those who don’t have the knowledge on how to get all the parts to work together, she added.
“What’s clear is that Subversion installation, administration, security and governance have historically been command-line-driven,” said CollabNet CEO Bill Portelli. “Responding to this challenge, we created CollabNet Subversion Edge with an elegant user interface, automated configuration and update notifications.”
With this release, Subversion can now run two ways, Griggs explained. People can download the source code and compile it themselves onto their operating system, or they can download the package, where Subversion is already combined with the server and ViewVC.
In order for someone to combine the tools themselves, he or she would need to be very well-versed in Apache, or be ready to take days or even weeks to get all the pieces working, said Mark Phippard, director of Subversion engineering. Rather, with this, developers can download and install in minutes, he added.
The inclusion of a Web-based UI also enables easier administration and governance, Phippard said.
Management can use the graphical UI to create and manage repositories, as well as monitor the overall health of the server. Governance and security is also provided with support for Lightweight Directory Access Protocol and Secure Sockets Layer security measures. Other administrative features include control of internal and external user access to repositories.
