88 KB.
That’s how much free space remained on one company’s Windows Server when their entire SVN repository became unavailable.
Despite the data remaining intact, teams lost access to their codebase until IT could diagnose and repair the corrupted SVN service.
This very real incident highlights why traditional on-premise SVN setups are showing their age. Yet a significant amount of enterprise development teams still rely on SVN for version control, particularly in industries where large binary files are involved or are critical.
For these teams, abandoning SVN isn’t in the conversation—and that’s valid. Instead, the conversation should focus on taking a modernized approach, such as using TortoiseSVN with cloud-hosted SVN repositories. This setup offers the best of both worlds: the robust version control of SVN with the accessibility and reliability of cloud infrastructure.
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Why Use TortoiseSVN with Cloud Repositories?
TortoiseSVN functions great as a local workspace manager. Connecting it to the cloud makes it even more powerful.
When paired with cloud hosting, TortoiseSVN transforms from a simple version control client into a vital piece for modern development workflows.
You’ll get:
- Immediate access to your repositories from anywhere, without VPN hassles
- Enterprise-grade backup and redundancy without managing physical servers
- The ability to scale your storage needs instantly as projects grow
- Advanced collaboration features like code reviews and ticket integration
- Reduced IT overhead and infrastructure costs
More importantly, you maintain the core benefits that keep teams choosing SVN: superior handling of large binary files, straightforward branching models, and clean audit trails for compliance.
The full potential of TortoiseSVN lies with pairing with some cloud hosting solution—something Assembla can help with.
Once you’ve gone through this simple process to get connected, you’ll gain the ability to seamlessly collaborate, scale, and manage your projects with confidence—all without sacrificing SVN’s core strengths.
Creating and committing your TortoiseSVN project to the cloud
Let’s walk through the exact steps to get your TortoiseSVN project connected to a cloud repository. We’ll use Assembla to showcase how easy this process is.
Step Zero: Create an SVN cloud repository
If you already have a repository you’re working with, skip this step. To set up a new repo within Assembla, simply click the dropdown handily labeled “repositories” and select “create new repository.

In the new window that opens, switch the repository type to SVN.

Step One: Locate the URL for your SVN repository
Within Assembla, locate the repository you’ll be working with on the left hand bar. While in the correct repo, select “instructions”

This URL will be the connector between your local TortoiseSVN subversion server and the cloud repo within Assembla.
Step Two: Link your repo to your SVN server

On TortoiseSVN, a dialog box like the one above should pop up. Paste the URL you copied earlier from Assembla into this box. The next dialog window will show you the contents of your repo. If you created a new one, it should be empty. Here’s an example we prepared earlier:

Step Three: Create your first commit
To add files to your cloud repo, drag and drop the code you’re working within into the window. A dialog box should pop up allowing you to attach a message to the file(s) being uploaded.

When you log into Assembla and view your repo, you can then interact with the files.

From here, you can click the boxes on the right and compare two or more files.
Step Four: Creating branches and code reviews
To create a merge request, select two or more files and click “Compare & Create Merge Request” button in the upper right.

This will display a new window allowing you to confirm the files and add any necessary commentary.
Making the case for hybrid environments: Using both on-prem and cloud SVN repos
Despite all of its advantages, not everything belongs in the cloud.
For many organizations, especially those in regulated industries or dealing with sensitive intellectual property, a hybrid approach to SVN hosting makes the most strategic sense.
In these situations, a hybrid environment is a strategic advantage.
By maintaining both on-premise and cloud SVN repositories, organizations can precisely align their version control infrastructure with their security, compliance, and collaboration needs.
Here’s how forward-thinking teams are leveraging this approach:
Selective Cloud Migration for Collaborative Projects
This would be best for when your core product codebase contains sensitive algorithms that must remain on-premise, but your team is collaborating with external partners on a new feature set.
With a hybrid setup, you can:
- Keep proprietary code secure on local servers
- Host collaborative components in Assembla’s cloud environment
- Maintain clear boundaries between internal and external access
- Enable seamless workflows between both environments
Automated redundancy for business continuity
Remember our earlier story about the server with only 88KB of space left?
A hybrid setup provides an elegant solution to such risks:
- Mirror critical repositories to Assembla automatically
- Maintain real-time backups without manual intervention
- Enable instant failover if on-premise systems encounter issues
- Ensure continuous access to code even during local maintenance
Optimized access for distributed teams
The rise of remote work has made VPN dependencies increasingly problematic. A hybrid approach solves this by:
- Allowing remote teams to access cloud repositories directly
- Maintaining local access for on-site developers
- Reducing VPN overhead and connection issues
- Supporting global collaboration without sacrificing security
Strategic migration path
For organizations with extensive SVN history, moving to the cloud isn’t a flip-the-switch operation. A hybrid setup enables:
- Gradual migration of projects based on priority
- Testing of cloud workflows without disrupting existing processes
- Controlled transition of teams and repositories
- Preservation of historical data and workflows
What makes this approach particularly powerful is how it combines Assembla’s managed cloud hosting with your existing infrastructure. This gives you additional storage and also includes Assembla’s advantages into the mix including:
- SOC II Type 2 compliance
- Custom security configurations
- Advanced backup and redundancy features
- Expert support for migration and maintenance
TortoiseSVN is for Windows; Is there a macOS SVN client?
Looking for SVN functionality but working on a Mac? You have options.
Cornerstone, owned by Assembla, is a dedicated SVN client for macOS that provides similar capabilities to TortoiseSVN. While it’s important to note that Cornerstone is in maintenance mode, it remains functional for current macOS systems and continues to serve existing users effectively.
For teams requiring dedicated macOS SVN support or interested in exploring Cornerstone’s capabilities, we recommend reaching out to our team directly. Our internal Cornerstone team can provide detailed information about compatibility, features, and support options for your specific needs.
TortoiseSVN, SVN Hosting, and Assembla
Version control systems have had their own update history but one thing has remained consistent.
SVN’s strengths in handling large binary files and maintaining clear audit trails make it irreplaceable for many organizations. By combining TortoiseSVN’s robust client capabilities with modern cloud hosting, teams can achieve the best of both worlds: familiar workflows with enterprise-grade reliability.
Whether you’re managing semiconductor designs, game assets, or enterprise software, the combination of TortoiseSVN and cloud hosting provides:
- Elimination of infrastructure maintenance headaches
- Guaranteed uptime and automatic backups
- Enhanced collaboration features
- Flexible hybrid deployment options
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance
Looking to modernize your SVN infrastructure? Get started with a 14-day trial of Assembla’s SVN hosting and experience the difference that enterprise-grade cloud hosting can make for your development workflow.