Anyone know how I'm able to change the proxy connection within a Download tool, altering the proxy server address and port? For example any way to do this using the headers?
Ok, I've found out how to do this. The problem was when I access a website through IE, the browser used at this organistion, the proxy server connection is set up be default and all traffic is routed through that proxy server connection. Check Tools - Internet Options - Connections - LAN Settings to see the proxy server settings, it has the address and port thorugh which you connect to the internet.
Accessing the internet via an Alteryx download tool bypassed this proxy as it isn't using IE, and subsequently failed as the 'non-proxy' server Alteryx is using has no permissions to be using the internet.
In the Download tool there's no way to alter the port and address of the proxy, meaning for me to take data from a website isn't possible using the Download tool.
The solution was to install Curl.exe, which acts as a middle man between Alteryx and the internet yet allows the proxy settings to be entered as part of the command arguments to use Curl.
As Curl.exe is a command line executable I could write a simple command line script and run it through a Run Command tool. My script syntax is:
Curl.exeLocation -x ProxyAddress:ProxyPort -U Username:Password UrlOfSite -x OutputFileLocation
For example:
C:\curl.exe -x proxy1:8080 -U MyUsername:MyPassword http://www.currency-iso.org/dam/downloads/lists/list_one.xml -o C:\OutputFile.txt
That script would output the contents of the URL to the file called OutputFile.txt.
You can get your proxy settings by checking, in IE 11 at least, the proxy server settings at Tools - Internet Options - Connections - LAN Settings
The Download tool and other parts of Alteryx that access the network all pick up the proxy configured in the system. It's the same proxy you see when looking in the Internet Properties control panel via IE. Under the "Connections" tab, click the "Lan Settings" button:
Everything will work best when the proxy is explicity configured rather than using the "Automatically detect settings" or "Use automatic Configuration script" options. (use your proxy info, not the example given below):
If your proxy requires a username and password, this can be configured in user settings or system settings. For User settings, it's under Options->User Settings->Edit Users Settings and then the Advanced tab:
Check the "Enable Proxy Credentials box and then click the "Configure" button. You'll get another pop-up showing the currently configured proxy and giving you a place to enter your credentials:
If your system proxy configuration changes at some point, Alteryx will detect this and require you to re-confirm your proxy credentials in the Users Settings. This is to avoid sending your username and password to a proxy server you haven't configured.
All of the above applies to Alteryx 10.1. Earlier versions had some proxy support, but did not include the username/password configuration.
Thanks for the reply Scott. I'm still using 10.0, which has a slightly different settings in the Advanced area. I can see it has a Proxy Settings area, however that is greyed out, perhaps by the organisations IT dept.
Once we upgrade to 10.1 I'll be able to test whether this change will make the Download tool work for my use case while working within a highly restricted and controlled IT environment.
I am wondering if there has been any update on this issue? It appears that if you do not have access to change proxy setting or able to run a script then there is no alternative to connect to salesforce? Is there any plan to overcome the issue for users? I have local admin rights on my work PC but I am still unable to configure settings.
We sort of gave up and use a tool like ProxyCap (http://www.proxycap.com/ - $30) or Proxifier (https://www.proxifier.com/ - $40) to make it work.
