Custom Plugin Repository

Dear Team,

I belong to an enterprise and am trying to leverage your custom plugin repository feature. I am trying to use an authentication enabled Git Lab repository residing in my enterprise managed GitLab instance. 

I understood from the existing community posts that IntelliJ does not support fetching plugins from URLs that need authentication. If this statement still holds, then I would like to know if this feature request https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-212366/Custom-plugin-repositories-dont-support-basic-authenitication?_ga=2.196950380.1374097326.1692595502-962684377.1687241765&_gl=1*sgull0*_ga*OTYyNjg0Mzc3LjE2ODcyNDE3NjU.*_ga_9J976DJZ68*MTY5MjU5NTUwMi40My4xLjE2OTI2MDI4ODkuMC4wLjA. is being worked upon and would like to know the status of the same.

I understand IntelliJ provides the below options today.

1.) Having a URL to hold updatePlugins.xml and plugin.zip files

2.) Using ToolBox integration

I explored the first option wherein I have come up with a URL containing the necessary files. The URL is accessible from my enterprise's intranetwork without any authentication. When I try to add this URL as a custom plugin repository in IntelliJ, I'm facing Connection failed issue.  

Queries:

1.) Is there any way I can check the logs (such as Http status) for this Connection failed issue within IntelliJ?

2.)  Does IntelliJ expect the URL to be accessible from the Internet?

3.) Are there any other options that you can recommend?

4.) I know there are some articles but please throw some light on ToolBox set up from your end.