feat: secure grpc channels

.github/workflows/nightly_docker_test.yml

@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ env:
   ANSRV_GEO_PORT: 710
   ANSRV_GEO_LICENSE_SERVER: ${{ secrets.LICENSE_SERVER }}
   GEO_CONT_NAME: ans_geo_nightly
+  IS_WORKFLOW_RUNNING: true
 
 concurrency:
   group: ${{ github.workflow }}-${{ github.ref }}

.github/workflows/v1_testing.yml

@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ env:
   ANSRV_GEO_LICENSE_SERVER: ${{ secrets.LICENSE_SERVER }}
   GEO_CONT_NAME: ans_geo
   RESET_IMAGE_CACHE: 0
+  IS_WORKFLOW_RUNNING: true
 
 permissions:
   contents: read

.gitignore

@@ -167,4 +167,7 @@ docker/*-binaries.zip
 # Ignore scripts folder
 scripts
 
+# Ignore certs folder
+certs
+
 # End of https://www.toptal.com/developers/gitignore/api/python

doc/changelog.d/2411.added.md

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Secure grpc channels

doc/source/cheatsheet/cheat_sheet.qmd

@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ modeler = launch_modeler(mode='geometry_service')
 
 ```{python}
 #| output: false
+#| eval: false
 from ansys.geometry.core import Modeler
 modeler = Modeler()
 print(modeler)

doc/source/user_guide/connection.rst

@@ -0,0 +1,151 @@
+Launching and connecting to a Modeler instance
+**********************************************
+
+PyAnsys Geometry provides the ability to launch and connect to a Modeler instance
+either locally or remotely. A Modeler instance is a running instance of a
+CAD service that the PyAnsys Geometry client can communicate with.
+
+CAD services that are supported include:
+
+- Ansys Geometry Service
+- Ansys Discovery
+- Ansys SpaceClaim
+
+Connecting to a Modeler instance
+--------------------------------
+
+To connect to a Modeler instance, you can use the  :class:`Modeler() <ansys.geometry.core.modeler>` class,
+which provides methods to connect to the desired CAD service. You can specify the connection parameters such
+as the host, port, and authentication details.
+
+.. code:: python
+
+    from ansys.geometry.core import Modeler
+
+    # Connect to a local Modeler instance
+    modeler = Modeler(host="localhost", port=12345)
+
+Connection types
+----------------
+
+PyAnsys Geometry supports different connection types to connect to a Modeler instance, which
+differ in the environment in which the transport takes place:
+
+- **Local connection**: The Modeler instance is running on the same machine as the PyAnsys
+  Geometry client. This is typically used for development and testing purposes.
+- **Remote connection**: The service instance is running on a different machine, and the
+  Modeler client connects to it over the network. This is useful for accessing
+  Modeler instances hosted on remote servers or cloud environments.
+
+Securing connections
+--------------------
+
+When connecting to a remote Modeler instance, it is important to ensure that the connection
+is secure, not only to protect sensitive data but also to comply with organizational
+security policies. These secure connections can be established using various methods, such as:
+
+- **mTLS**: Mutual Transport Layer Security (mTLS) is a security protocol that ensures both the client
+  and server authenticate each other using digital certificates. This provides a high level of
+  security for the connection. PyAnsys Geometry supports mTLS connections to Modeler instances. In that
+  case, you need to provide the necessary certificates and keys when establishing the connection. More
+  information on the certificates needed can be seen in
+  `Generating certificates for mTLS <https://tools.docs.pyansys.com/version/stable/user_guide/secure_grpc.html#generating-certificates-for-mtls>`_.
+  Make sure that the names of the files are in line with the previous link. An example of how to set up
+  an mTLS connection is shown below:
+
+  .. note::
+
+     mTLS is the default transport mode when connecting to remote Modeler instances.
+
+  .. code:: python
+
+      from ansys.geometry.core import Modeler, launch_modeler
+
+      # OPTION 1: Connect to a Modeler instance using mTLS
+      modeler = Modeler(
+          host="remote_host",
+          port=12345,
+          transport_mode="mtls",
+          certs_dir="path/to/certs_directory",
+      )
+
+      # OPTION 2: Launch the Modeler instance locally using mTLS
+      modeler = launch_modeler(
+          transport_mode="mtls",
+          certs_dir="path/to/certs_directory",
+      )
+
+- **UDS**: Unix Domain Sockets (UDS) provide a way to establish secure connections between
+  processes on the same machine. UDS connections are faster and more secure than traditional
+  network connections, as they do not require network protocols. PyAnsys Geometry supports UDS
+  connections to local Modeler instances (**only on Linux-based services**). An example of how
+  to set up a UDS connection is shown below:
+
+  .. note::
+
+     UDS is only supported when connecting to local Modeler instances on Linux-based services.
+     It is also the default transport mode in such cases.
+
+  .. code:: python
+
+      from ansys.geometry.core import Modeler, launch_modeler
+
+      # OPTION 1: Connect to a local Modeler instance using UDS
+      modeler = Modeler(host="localhost", port=12345, transport_mode="uds")
+
+      # OPTION 2: Launch the Modeler instance locally using UDS and specific directory and id for
+      # the UDS socket
+      modeler = Modeler(host="localhost", port=12345, transport_mode="uds", uds_dir="/path/to/uds_directory", uds_id="unique_id")
+
+      # OPTION 3: Launch the Modeler instance locally using UDS
+      modeler = launch_modeler(transport_mode="uds")
+
+      # OPTION 4: Launch the Modeler instance locally using UDS and specific directory and id for
+      # the UDS socket
+      modeler = launch_modeler(transport_mode="uds", uds_dir="/path/to/uds_directory", uds_id="unique_id")
+
+- **WNUA**: Windows Named User Authentication (WNUA) provides a way to establish secure connections
+  between processes on the same Windows machine. WNUA connections use a built-in mechanism to verify
+  that the owner of the service running is also the owner of the client connection established (similar
+  to UDS). PyAnsys Geometry supports WNUA connections to local Modeler instances
+  (**only on Windows-based services**). An example of how to set up a WNUA connection is shown below:
+
+  .. note::
+
+     WNUA is only supported when connecting to local Modeler instances on Windows-based services.
+     It is also the default transport mode in such cases.
+
+  .. code:: python
+
+      from ansys.geometry.core import Modeler, launch_modeler
+
+      # OPTION 1: Connect to a local Modeler instance using WNUA
+      modeler = Modeler(host="localhost", port=12345, transport_mode="wnua")
+
+      # OPTION 2: Launch the Modeler instance locally using WNUA
+      modeler = launch_modeler(transport_mode="wnua")
+
+- **Insecure**: Insecure connections do not provide any security measures to protect the data
+  transmitted between the client and server. This mode is not recommended for production use,
+  as it exposes the connection to potential security risks. However, it can be useful for
+  development and testing purposes in trusted environments. An example of how to set up an
+  insecure connection is shown below:
+
+  .. code:: python
+
+      from ansys.geometry.core import Modeler, launch_modeler
+
+      # OPTION 1: Connect to a Modeler instance using an insecure connection
+      modeler = Modeler(
+          host="remote_host",
+          port=12345,
+          transport_mode="insecure",
+      )
+
+      # OPTION 2: Launch the Modeler instance locally using an insecure connection
+      modeler = launch_modeler(
+          transport_mode="insecure",
+      )
+
+For more information on secure connections and transport modes, see
+`Securing gRPC connections <https://tools.docs.pyansys.com/version/stable/user_guide/secure_grpc.html>`_.

doc/source/user_guide/index.rst

@@ -5,13 +5,14 @@ User guide
 ==========
 
 This section provides an overview of the PyAnsys Geometry library,
-explaining key concepts and approaches for primitives,
+explaining key concepts and approaches for connection, primitives,
 sketches (2D basic shape elements), and model designs.
 
 .. toctree::
    :maxdepth: 1
    :hidden:
 
+   connection
    primitives
    shapes
    designer

pyproject.toml

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ classifiers = [
 
 dependencies = [
   "ansys-api-discovery==1.0.10",
-  "ansys-tools-common>=0.2,<1",
+  "ansys-tools-common>=0.3,<1",
   "beartype>=0.11.0,<0.23",
   "geomdl>=5,<6",
   "grpcio>=1.35.0,<2",
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ tests = [
 ]
 general-all = [
   "ansys-platform-instancemanagement==1.1.2",
-  "ansys-tools-common==0.2.1",
+  "ansys-tools-common==0.3.0",
   "ansys-tools-visualization-interface==0.12.1",
   "beartype==0.22.6",
   "docker==7.1.0",