Flags
The NATS server has many flags to customize its behavior without having to write a configuration file.
The configuration flags revolve around:
- Server Options
- Logging
- Authorization
- TLS Security
- Clustering
- Information
Server Options
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
-a, --addr |
Host address to bind to (default: 0.0.0.0 - all interfaces). |
-p, --port |
NATS client port (default: 4222). |
-P, --pid |
File to store the process ID (PID). |
-m, --http_port |
HTTP port for monitoring dashboard (exclusive of --https_port). |
-ms, --https_port |
HTTPS port monitoring for monitoring dashboard (exclusive of --http_port). |
-c, --config |
Path to NATS server configuration file. |
-sl, --signal |
Send a signal to nats-server process. See process signaling. |
--client_advertise |
Client HostPort to advertise to other servers. |
-t |
Test configuration and exit |
Authentication Options
The following options control straightforward authentication:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
--user |
Required username for connections (exclusive of --token). |
--pass |
Required password for connections (exclusive of --token). |
--auth |
Required authorization token for connections (exclusive of --user and --password). |
See token authentication, and username/password for more information.
Logging Options
The following flags are available on the server to configure logging:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
-l, --log |
File to redirect log output |
-T, --logtime |
Specify -T=false to disable timestamping log entries |
-s, --syslog |
Log to syslog or windows event log |
-r, --remote_syslog |
The syslog server address, like udp://localhost:514 |
-D, --debug |
Enable debugging output |
-V, --trace |
Enable protocol trace log messages |
-DV |
Enable both debug and protocol trace messages |
--max_traced_msg_len |
Maximum printable length for traced messages. 0 for unlimited |
You can read more about logging configuration here.
TLS Options
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
--tls |
Enable TLS, do not verify clients |
--tlscert |
Server certificate file |
--tlskey |
Private key for server certificate |
--tlsverify |
Enable client TLS certificate verification |
--tlscacert |
Client certificate CA for verification |
Cluster Options
The following flags are available on the server to configure clustering:
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
--routes |
Comma-separated list of cluster URLs to solicit and connect |
--cluster |
Cluster URL for clustering requests |
--no_advertise |
Do not advertise known cluster information to clients |
--cluster_advertise |
Cluster URL to advertise to other servers |
--connect_retries |
For implicit routes, number of connect retries |
You can read more about clustering configuration here.
Common Options
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
-h, --help |
Show this message |
-v, --version |
Show version |
--help_tls |
TLS help |