Version-Control Systems

Let us start by saying to all you networking types who plan to read only this summary before moving on to the next article: Think again. Sure, version-control systems are the bread and butter of developers everywhere, but the new breed of VCS we test can be invaluable to systems administrators as well, keeping config files, scripts and diagrams safe and handy.

We defined the attributes we think a VCS requires to be considered corporate-class: wide platform support, easy configuration and management, strong access control, capable merging and branching, a first-rate repository and, of course, ease of use. With these criteria in mind, we loaded up Microsoft Visual SourceSafe, Mortice Kern Systems' Source Integrity, Perforce Software's Perforce 2000.2 and SiberLogic's SiberSafe, along with the open-source Concurrent Versions System, and went to town. We spent weeks messing with code and found that MKS' Source Integrity, though pricey, has all the makings of a top-notch enterprise VCS -- we gave it our Editor's Choice award. For those without deep pockets, note that the open-source CVS came in a close second.