# Connecting through a proxy

The client can work behind a proxy, which is a common situation in large enterprises. The client will read the standard variables “http\_proxy” or "https\_proxy" in order to detect such configuration automatically.

The configuration however can also be done through these system properties (or [specific controls](https://docs.meterian.io/the-client/command-line-parameters/specific-controls)):

`-Dhttp.proxy.host=<host>`\
`-Dhttp.proxy.port=<port>`\
`-Dhttp.proxy.user=<username>`\
`-Dhttp.proxy.pass=<password>`&#x20;

Both “host” and “port” properties need to be defined in order for the proxy to be used. When that happens, the client will echo to you that a proxy is being used while he tries to authorize itself, in a format similar to this one:

```
$ java -Dhttp.proxy.host=proxy.acme.org -Dhttp.proxy.port=3128 -jar
~/apps/meterian-cli.jar -

Meterian Client v0.4.6
All rights reserved
[…]

Authorizing the client...
Using http proxy: http://proxy.acme.org:3128
[…]
```

Furthermore, when you launch the client with the “--help” parameter it will also test the connectivity to the servers, as in this example:

```
$ java -jar ~/apps/meterian-cli.jar --help

Meterian Client v1.2.6, build 09ce5de-283
All rights reserved

 --help Displays this help end exits(0)
[...]

Using http proxy http://proxy.acme.org:3128
Using authentication for proxy username:***

Meterian servers are reachable from this system
```

You also have a couple of fine grained controls over your http stack, which we honestly think will be rarely used but we list here as a matter of completeness, with their default:

`-Dhttp.connect.timeout.millis=9000`

The timeout in milliseconds to estabilish a connection over http/https

`-Dhttp.socket.timeout.millis=8000`

The timeout in milliseconds before declaring a connection over http/https dead.