OpenZiti
A programmable overlay network for zero-trust networking in modern applications, eliminating the need for traditional VPNs.
| Category | Zero Trust Security |
|---|---|
| Last Commit | 1 year ago |
| Last page update | 19 days ago |
| Pricing Details | Free and open-source. |
| Target Audience | Developers and organizations looking for secure networking solutions. |
The OpenZiti platform addresses the core security challenge of ensuring zero-trust networking in modern applications by providing a programmable, overlay network that integrates directly into the application layer. This approach eliminates the need for traditional VPNs and enhances security through strong identities and mutual TLS (mTLS) connections.
Technically, OpenZiti consists of several key components: the OpenZiti Controller, Router, and Clients. These components work together to form an overlay network that provides secure connectivity between clients and servers. The Controller manages identities and policies, while the Router handles traffic routing and encryption using libsodium for end-to-end encryption.
From an operational standpoint, deploying OpenZiti involves setting up these components, which can be done using various deployment modes, including Docker and Kubernetes. The ziti CLI tool is a crucial element for managing and exploring the OpenZiti configuration. For development, the OpenZiti SDKs (available in multiple languages, including C#) simplify the integration of zero-trust principles into applications by providing APIs that handle identity creation, enrollment, and secure communication.
Key operational considerations include the management of identities and their enrollment, as well as the configuration of the Controller and Router services. The OpenZiti Console, an administrative web interface, helps in managing these aspects by providing a user-friendly interface to interact with the Ziti Edge API. However, this console requires careful deployment, including hosting static files and configuring the controller to serve these files.
In terms of technical details, OpenZiti uses mTLS for secure connections and libsodium for end-to-end encryption, ensuring that all communication within the overlay network is highly secure. The platform also supports various operating systems and can be integrated into mobile applications through the Ziti Mobile Edge app, which acts as a VPN to make authorized services available on mobile devices.