diff --git a/tperimeter.rst b/tperimeter.rst index 8db5634..e8041d6 100644 --- a/tperimeter.rst +++ b/tperimeter.rst @@ -1,4 +1,4 @@ -.. footer:: $Id: tperimeter.rst,v 1.1 2012/06/09 20:32:56 tundra Exp $ +.. footer:: $Id: tperimeter.rst,v 1.2 2012/06/09 20:45:29 tundra Exp $ ===================================================== @@ -32,13 +32,12 @@ whose IP address changes regularly simply logs into a secure web page and informs the system of their current IP address and which services they'd like to have enabled for them. ``tperimeter`` then fulfills -the request - typically within 5 minutes or so - and grants access to +the request - typically within 1 minute or so - and grants access to the system for that service from that IP address for a small window in -time - again, 5 minutes it typical. This gives the user time to -access the desired service before TCP Wrappers once again close the -system to its default state. These semantics thus provide flexible -remote access with an automatic reset to system default access -control. +time - 10 minutes is typical. This gives the user time to access the +desired service before TCP Wrappers once again close the system to its +default state. These semantics thus provide flexible remote access +with an automatic reset to system default access control. HOW ``tperimeter`` WORKS @@ -64,8 +63,10 @@ dynamically rewriting the ``hosts.allow`` file. 3) The ``cron`` job then *deletes* the request from the - ``tperimeter`` queue. This means that the next time - ``hosts.allow`` is rebuilt by the ``cron`` job, the "hole" + ``tperimeter`` queue, but only if it has exceeded a certain age. + This age is specified in the ``rebuild-hosts.allow.sh`` file with + the ``${DURATION}`` variable. This means that the next time + ``hosts.allow`` is rebuilt by the ``cron`` job, old "holes" ``tperimeter`` opened in the TCP wrappers will be *removed*. This ensures that someone doesn't open a hole in the system that then stays there permanently. This works fine in practice, @@ -86,11 +87,9 @@ subsequent processing. ``rebuild-hosts.allow.sh`` is the TCP wrapper rewrite mechanism. -It is intended to be run periodically as a root ``cron`` job. Remember -that the "hole" ``tperimeter`` opens in your wrappers stays in -place until the *next time* the ``cron`` job runs. We thus recommend -running this script every 5 to 10 minutes to keep the window of -exposure small. +After a user has requested access, they must wait until this +script runs again before the access is actually granted. So, this +should be run in the ``root crontab`` every minute. The queue where ``tperimeter`` requests are initially deposited and subsequently processed is transparent to the user and requires no