Accessing Databases and Electronic Journals from Off Campus

Frequently Asked Questions:

     Q: I am trying to connect to the library's MEDLINE system and OhioLink's EJC from off campus and it will not let me in. How come? 

     A: :All resources we make available require license agreements. These agreements may prohibit use from off campus and from other institutions. As a result, certain resources such as UpToDate can not be accessed off campus. These agreements also specify and databases services and the EJC require users to access via OSU computer addresses.  When you come in from an off campus network it does not recognize you as an OSU user. Your computer looks just like all the other non-OSU computers on the Internet. 

     Q: A database or electronic journal asks me for a login name and password, however, it is not accepting mine. Can't you just give me yours? 

     A: Chances are you trying to use your OSU Email login and password.  These will not work. In fact, we subscribe to no database or electronic journal services which requires our customers to use login names and passwords. All our services authenticate using your computers Internet Protocol (IP) address.  

     Q: Well, how do I gain access? 

     A: Since the services require you to use an OSU computer address, you have to fool them.  To do this, you must use the library's remote access, or proxy service.  When you access the library's web site from off-campus an Off Campus Sign In button will appear at the bottom of the library's main page. Select it and follow the instructions. (NOTE: The button will not appear when using a computer on campus.) There is a more indepth Remote Authentication FAQ available.

     Q: What is a proxy?

     A:  It is a computer through which all your Internet activities flow through.  With a proxy, all the web sites you visit will think your off campus computer is actually on campus.

     Q: Do I have use the proxy all the time?

      A: No. only for OSU library databases and OhioLINK's Electronic Journal Center.  The proxy will be active as long as you are accessing OSU resources. If you move onto non-OSU resources the proxy will eventually "time" out. You would then have to sign back in using the "Off Campus Sign In" button.

     Q: Will a firewall cause problems with the remote access proxy server?

      A: It very well may. Making sure port 2048 is open on the firewall will sometimes allow access to resources. If you are on an office network, your network manager will most likely have to make this change. Be forewarned that getting ports open on hospital firewalls may not be a trivial task.

     Q: My off campus network uses a proxy itself, is this a problem?

      A: Yes. A proxy can not proxy another proxy. You will not be able to access databases and electonic journals from off campus.