Accessing databases and journals from home

Most of the databases UMC subscribes to restrict access of their content to UMC faculty, staff, and students. Most do this by checking the IP address of the computer making the request to see if it is one belonging to UMC. This is called IP Authentication. IP Authentication ensures only subscribing users (UMC Faculty, staff and students) can access content.

Databases and other resources recognize the IP addresses when you are on the UMC campus network. If you access from home you are accessing from IP ranges that belong to your provider and these are not recognized. If access to a UMC Library subscription is attempted from an IP address outside the UMC IP range (eg directly from home or the public library not on the UMC network) the access request will be denied.

Currently there are two ways to get access from off campus, EZproxy and Virtual Private Network (VPN). Off campus users will not be able to access UMC Library's electronic resources without using either EZproxy or VPN. Each of these remote access tools are explained below.

EZproxy

EZproxy is a proxy server. It makes it appear that the individual users IP address is coming a UMC IP address and permits the user to access the content of a journal or database.

Most browsers work well with EZproxy and it will be your first choice for remote access. It is already in place and requires no software on your computer to get access. You can use it from a public computer anywhere you can connect to the UMC Library web site. EZproxy is activated when you click on a link to subscription library materials. Its functioning is generally independent of the operating system of the computer.

When EZproxy is activated, a login screen will appear. You must log in. Only users who have a UMC username and password are able to use EZproxy. If you need help with your username and/or password, see the information on the U of M Internet Password page, contact the UMC Computer Help Desk at 281-8000 or stop in at Kiehle 131.

If your UMC network username and password are current, EZproxy will recognize you as a qualified user (i.e. a current UMC faculty, staff, or student) and give you access to the UMC Library's password protected resources. Once you have logged on to EZproxy your connection to the UMC remains with you as you continue until you log off.

VPN - Virtual Private Network

VPN is also a proxy server. VPN is software on your computer which connects securely to a server on campus.  It makes it appear that you are accessing from the campus IP range. The software is part of Windows XP. It connects to server on the UMC campus. If VPN software is not already installed and set up on your computer you will have to customize it to work with the UMC network.

Before activating the software, you must connect to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) such as Halstad, Earthlink, etc. and the follow the instructions given for customizing VPN found at the Computer Help Desk page.

This process will only have to be done one time and then VPN can be used from anywhere that you connect to the Internet on that computer.

If you have questions regarding the installation of VPN, please call the Computer Help Desk at 281-8000 or stop in at Kiehle 131.

If you have questions regarding how to use the databases or if you have questions regarding the content of the databases, please call the Library at 218-281-8399 or stop in at the library.

Acceptable Use Policy

Use of the databases and your password must conform to UMC's Policies and Standards and the Universities Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources. 

^