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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
JetStream Options
Flag
Description
-js, --jetstream
Enable JetStream functionality.
-sd, --store_dir
Set the storage directory.
Authentication Options
The following options control straightforward authentication:
Flag
Description
--user
Required username for connections (exclusive of --auth).
--pass
Required password for connections (exclusive of --auth).
--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
-VV
Verbose trace (traces system account as well)
-DV
Enable both debug and protocol trace messages
-DVV
Debug and verbose trace (traces system account as well)
--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
You can read more about tls configuration here.
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

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

Flag	Description
`-js`, `--jetstream`	Enable JetStream functionality.
`-sd`, `--store_dir`	Set the storage directory.

Flag	Description
`--user`	Required username for connections (exclusive of `--auth`).
`--pass`	Required password for connections (exclusive of `--auth`).
`--auth`	Required authorization token for connections (exclusive of `--user` and `--password`).

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
`-VV`	Verbose trace (traces system account as well)
`-DV`	Enable both debug and protocol trace messages
`-DVV`	Debug and verbose trace (traces system account as well)
`--max_traced_msg_len`	Maximum printable length for traced messages. 0 for unlimited

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

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

Flag	Description
`-h`, `--help`	Show this message
`-v`, `--version`	Show version
`--help_tls`	TLS help

Windows Service

Next - Running a NATS service

Environmental considerations

Last modified 3mo ago