settings.xml
file contains elements used
to define values which configure Maven execution in various ways, like the pom.xml
,
but should not be bundled to any specific project, or distributed to an audience.
These include values such as the local repository location, alternate remote repository servers,
and authentication information.
settings.xml
file per default may live:
$M2_HOME/conf/settings.xml
${user.home}/.m2/settings.xml
see also: settings.xml
reference