There are many advantages to including FreeBSD solutions in your IT infrastructure:
FreeBSD is well documented and follows many standards. This allows your existing intermediate and advanced system administrators to quickly transfer their existing Linux and Unix skillsets to FreeBSD administration.
In-house developers have full access to all FreeBSD code [1] for all releases going back to the original FreeBSD release. Included with the code are all of the log messages which provide context to changes and bug fixes. Additionally, a developer can easily replicate any release by simply checking out the code with the desired label. In contrast, Linux® traditionally didn't follow this model, but has recently adopted a more mature development model. [2]
In-house developers also have full access to FreeBSD's GNATS bug-tracking database. They are able to query and track existing bugs as well as submit their own patches for approval and possible committal into the FreeBSD base code. http://www.FreeBSD.org/support.html#gnats
The BSD license allows you to freely modify the code to suit your business purposes. Unlike the GPL, there are no restrictions on how you choose to distribute the resulting software.
| [1] |
In addition, all code is browsable through a web-interface: http://www.FreeBSD.org/cgi/cvsweb.cgi/. |
| [2] |
An interesting overview of the evolving Linux development model can be found at http://linuxdevices.com/articles/AT4155251624.html. |