BASINS Data Download with a Proxy Server

Some users are unable to download data in the default BASINS installation because they need to use a proxy server to access the internet. Here are the instructions for telling the BASINS download tool how to use a proxy:

  1. Locate your BASINS folder. This is C:\BASINS unless BASINS was installed on a different drive.
  2. Delete the BASINS\cache folder. This will remove any error messages that may have been saved in place of data.
  3. Look in the BASINS\Data folder. If there are any empty project folders, delete them. Note: Do not delete the met_data, national, or tutorial folders.
  4. Get your proxy information from your network administrator or see below for tips on finding proxy information in your browser. The information needed for most proxy servers is the address and port. Some proxy servers also need username and password. Replace these words in the next step with the values for your proxy server.
  5. Create the file C:\BASINS\etc\DataDownload\curl.txt and put the following line in it:

    --proxy address:port

    Be sure the punctuation is exact. Two dashes at the beginning of the line and a colon between address and port.

    In the rare case of a proxy which requires a username and password, also include the following line:

    --proxy-user username:password

You may be able to find the needed proxy settings by checking your browser.

In Microsoft Internet Explorer:
  1. look in the Tools menu
  2. choose Internet Options
  3. in the Internet Options window click the Connections tab
  4. Near the bottom, click the LAN settings button
  5. The Local Area Network (LAN) Settings window will open. If no boxes are checked, then your browser is not using a proxy so data download should not have to use a proxy either. If the Use a proxy server box is checked, then the Address and Port blanks contain the information you need. If either of the automatic boxes are checked, you will need to get the proxy settings from your system administrator.
In Mozilla Firefox:
  1. look in the Tools menu
  2. choose Options
  3. click Advanced
  4. choose the Network tab
  5. Press the Settings button to configure how Firefox connects to the Internet
  6. The Connection Settings window will open. If Direct connection to the Internet is selected, then your browser is not using a proxy so data download should not have to use a proxy either. If Manual proxy configuration is selected, then the HTTP Proxy blank contanins your proxy address andthe Port blank next to it contains your proxy port. If neither of these is selected, you will need to get the proxy settings from your system administrator.