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We demonstrated that an iodine stabilized Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) diode based laser system lasing at a wavelength in close proximity to $\lambda = 633\,$nm could be used as an alternative laser source to the He-Ne lasers in both scientific and industrial metrology. This yields additional advantages besides the optical frequency stability and coherence: inherent traceability, wider optical frequency tuning range, higher output power and high frequency modulation capability. We experimentally investigated the characteristics of the laser source in two major steps: first using a wavelength meter referenced to a frequency comb controlled with a hydrogen maser and then on a interferometric optical bench testbed where we compared the performance of the laser system with that of a traditional frequency stabilized He-Ne laser. The results indicate that DBR diode laser system provides a good laser source for applications in dimensional (nano)metrology, especially in conjunction with novel interferometric detection methods exploiting high frequency modulation or multiaxis measurement systems., Comment: Published 16 February 2017 copyright 2017 IOP Publishing Ltd