Configure drupal_http_request() on the fly

The drupal_http_request() function supports connections using a proxy. You can configure a global proxy to use for all drupal_http_request() callbacks from the settings.php file of your website/installation by filling the following lines with the proper information:

For those of you preferring a UI, then HTTP proxy module is for you.

But what if you only want to use a proxy in some cases; like a custom module? In that case you will need the following function(modify accordingly):

Now all you have to do is

1. Call <?php _MYMODULE_change_proxy(); ?>.
2. Do your drupal_http_request() calls.
3. Call <?php _MYMODULE_change_proxy(TRUE); ?> to reset your previous settings.