Subversion has a password file and an access file. The password file just maintains usernames and passwords, the access file determines who has what permissions to where.

You can use the htpasswd command to edit the user/password file.

To add the user ftravers to the file sub.passwd

htpasswd sub.passwd ftravers

A simple access file is of the following format:

[path]
username = permissions

For example:
[/]
ftravers = rw

[/documents]
jblow = rw

[/projects/tbu]
jdoe = rw
mjane = r

Subversion for Projects