Abstract: In rapid system prototyping, there is a need to quickly deploy new versions of software components into test systems, in order to get feedback on how those new versions operate within the system. Compounding this, multiple configurations of various versions may need to be tested together. Incompatibilities between component versions can cause a serious loss of time and effort, as the errors are tracked down and the testbed is reconfigured with known working versions. We are developing the Hercules framework to safely and reliably deploy and evolve component-based systems by executing and controlling multiple versions of software components at run-time. Hercules naturally fills a need in rapid system prototyping, and can enhance and streamline the overall process of developing a component-based system.