The GSA HTTP Sniffer is a Java utility that can be used to diagnose HTTP requests and responses, supporting authentication, SSL, http parameters and the ability to chain a number of requests together. Can be used to perform the steps required to script a forms based login and fetch subsequent pages.
Also includes the ability to script Google Search Appliance administration functions. Configuration is via simple XML files and samples are included to perform a number of different requests including authentication, parameters and GSA administration functions.
Give GSA HTTP Sniffer a try to see what it's all about!