The term “network boundary” is used in various Wikipedia articles and other sources, but I haven’t found an explicit definition anywhere. (Google, Stack Exchange, OneLook, Tech Terms Computer Dictionary, Computer Hope, etc…)
I can take it as the general English meaning of the word “boundary” combined with the word “network,” but given its presence in numerous precision definitions and explanations, the lack of a distinct definition with examples is bothersome.
Example sentences:
The Internet Protocol (IP) is the principal communications protocol in the Internet protocol suite for relaying datagrams across network boundaries.
Another:
We wouldn’t have to cross a network boundary to get…
Answer
In this context, "network" is synonymous with "LAN" or local area network. It is by definition a realm of connected machines that can communicate using the OSI Data Link layer (layer 2). A machine that is not directly connected to your LAN is outside your network boundary, and you cannot contact it.
In the OSI model the internet is an Internetwork, a system of interconnected networks, which is implemented by a common protocol which operates at OSI layer 3, and allows the use of Routers, which convey traffic from LAN to LAN as the datagrams cross the internetwork. IP is an Internetwork layer protocol, so it can use routers to relay traffic as your example sentence explains.
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