If you've ever needed to use a Falvey Memorial Library database from home, and were denied access through an Internet service provider, your problem has now been solved. Thanks to a new Web device called a proxy server, Villanova students, faculty and staff can now connect to Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, the Britannica Online, JSTOR, and scores of other files using an Internet account.

To make this change possible, the Falvey Memorial Library is using a proxy server as a means of identifying valid Villanova users on the Internet. The process is known as authentication. All companies that license databases for Falvey Memorial Library use a means of admitting authorized users and turning away the general public. Unfortunately, those companies make this distinction by authorizing access for one specific Internet address domain, in this case the domain defined by "villanova.edu". If your Internet address lacked the necessary domain identifier, you were turned away — until now.

The proxy server authenticates you before you connect with a third party database by matching your identification information with Villanova University database records. Once the proxy server completes the match, it becomes your surrogate, connecting you with any database available to the Villanova Campus Network domain.

Proxy Configuration for AOL Browser

NOTE: The AOL Browser does not support the Library Proxy Service and will not support access to domain restricted resources from off campus.

Access to restricted resources from off campus through AOL can be accomplished by installing another browser and configuring it for the Library Proxy Service. We recommend that you use Netscape Communicator. To use domain restricted Library resources:

1. Dial up and login to AOL as usual
2. Minimize the AOL browser
3. Start the Netscape browser that is configured for the Library Proxy Service;
4. Use domain restricted Library resources.

Proxy Server Does Not Work with New Netscape 6.0

NOTE: The new release of the Netscape Browser, Netscape 6.0, does not support the Library Proxy Service and will not support access to domain restricted resources from off campus.

For now, we suggest you continue to use Netscape 4.x or Internet Explorer 6.0, which work well with the Library's Proxy Service.

UNIT-User Support does not officially support the use of Netscape 7.0 at this time, however, we are not aware of any issues in using it.

Firewalls and Proxy

Many businesses and institutions utilize an internet firewall (hardware and/or software that filters access to and from a protected network of computers) to protect and regulate use of their intranet. Additionally, computers using high-speed LAN services such as DSL or Cable Modems can be configured to use a firewall to protect these computers.

In general, a firewall will require that your browser be configured to use your company's proxy service. If you try to use the Library Proxy Service, your firewall will block the transaction.

This configuration will NOT allow you to use the Library Proxy Service to access domain restricted Library resources and services. There is, unfortunately, nothing the Library can do to fix this situation. You may wish to contact your local computer support personnel and ask them if there is anything that can be implemented locally to allow access.

To use the proxy server, you will need to:

• change a setting in your Web browser
• know your LDAP userid and password (same as email username and password).

For detailed instructions on how to use the proxy server, visit the Proxy Server Instruction Page at the Library's Homepage.