Penn Library - ClientProxy Service
Instructions for using the Library ClientProxy Service
If you intend to use Beilstein Commander or SciFinder Scholar from outside of the "Penn Domain" you must use
the Library ClientProxy Service.
When you select either Beilstein or SciFinder from the Library web site, you will be required to authenticate
More Information on the Library ClientProxy Service
Why does the Library offer the ClientProxy Service?
Many of the Penn Library's resource providers limit access through a
process called "domain restriction," which restricts access
to computer hosts within the "Penn Domain."
For the provider, this is currently the most efficient
way to enforce licensing restrictions over the Internet.
How does this affect me?
Unfortunately, vendor implementations of "domain restriction" on licensed resources means that Library
patrons using computers that connect to the internet through commercial Internet
Service Providers (ISP) will be denied access by the resource provider's site. This
is because the Internet address (IP address) provided to the user's computer by the ISP is not in the "Penn Domain,"
and so, appears to be not licensed to access the selected resource.
This domain restriction is used by vendors such as Beilstein and CAS for their client programs Beilstein Commander
and SciFinder Scholar.
What can I do to access these restricted resources from a non-Penn Domain computer?
Penn faculty, students or staff who use an ISP or network other than
PennNet, can use the Library's ClientProxy Service to access restricted resources.
The Penn Library ClientProxy Server is, in essence, a machine that forwards
requests for resource from authorized users. The proxy server
authorizes you against your record in the Library's patron database,
and then serves as a "proxy" between your machine and the resource
provider's site. Since the proxy machine is part of the "Penn Domain"
mentioned above, the resource provider allows the connection.
If I have already setup my browser for the Library Proxy Service,
do I need to worry about the ClientProxy Service?
Yes! The ClientProxy Service is similar to the Library Proxy Service but provides proxy service to non-web browser
clients.
Whereas the Library Proxy Service allows your browser to use domain restricted resources -- the Library ClientProxy
Service allows non-web browser clients like Beilstein Commander and SciFinder Scholar to use domain restricted resources.
Last update:Thursday, 19-Apr-2007 13:16:13 EDT
Send mail concerning this page to: Judith Currano,
currano@pobox.upenn.edu