---
layout: docs
page_title: Overview
description: >-
  Learn how to configure aliases and transparent sessions to enhance end-user workflows and simplify target access.
---

# Overview

Target aliases simplify the connection workflow for end users by allowing them to reference targets using a globally unique DNS-like string.

Without aliases, connecting to an end target requires you to reference the target ID, or a combination of target name and scope:

```shell-session
$ boundary connect ssh -target-id ttcp_1234567890
```

```shell-session
$ boundary connect ssh -target-name sql-database -target-scope-name -staging
```

With target aliases, a single globally referenced value is assigned to a target, simplifying connection workflows and enabling transparent sessions for Enterprise and HCP end users.

```shell-session
$ boundary connect ssh sql-database-staging
```

## Configure target aliases

To set up a target alias:

1. [Create a target alias](/boundary/docs/configuration/target-aliases/create-target-alias)
1. [Connect to a target using an alias](/boundary/docs/configuration/target-aliases/connect-target-alias)

After you set up a target alias, you can optionally [Configure transparent sessions for end users](/boundary/docs/configuration/target-aliases/transparent-sessions). <sup>HCP/ENT</sup>