Boundary

Boundary is the app you need if you want to connect to any system, no matter where it is, while keeping your identity safe and secure. It's perfect for those tricky situations where accessing a private network feels like a hassle.

Why Choose Boundary?

When you're trying to get into a production system on a private network, there are tons of headaches. Think about all the things you need just to start: SSH keys, VPN credentials, app passwords, or even IP addresses! Plus, there's the worry about network risks and managing IPs in a constantly changing environment.

A Smarter Way to Access Systems

This is where Boundary shines! It introduces a new model for remote access that focuses on trusted identities. This means it clearly defines who can connect and what resources they can access. The whole process works through logical connections between users and systems so only the right people get in.

Understanding Users and Groups

You'll need to define users, which are the individuals trying to access specific systems. Then we have groups, which are collections of users that help manage access rights. These roles link users and groups to various grants, or permission levels that let them perform actions within the system.

Simplifying Your Workflow

The app's workflow is straightforward! Just install and set up your environment, kick off dev mode (or try non-dev mode), authenticate yourself, get authorized access, and boom—you're in different hosts and services!

User Session Control

This tool allows fully authenticated sessions using TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). You can also keep track of user session details like log time, events, and traces. Plus, there's an option to export this data for business intelligence or monitoring tools!

Getting Started with Boundary

If you want to start using HashiCorp's Boundary in dev mode, make sure you've got Docker installed first. Then you'll need a way to download and run a Postgres Docker image inside a container along with having the Boundary binary in your PATH. You can easily drop Boundary.exe into C:\WINDOWS\system32.

Your First Steps with Boundary GUI

After everything is configured correctly, open up your browser! You can check out the tool's GUI at http://127.0.0.1:9200. If you prefer command line stuff though, CLI commands work too! Just remember—dev mode isn't meant for production environments; it's mainly for getting started with a Postgres database setup.