Health Services Management Centre School of Social Policy
“Once you have experienced the library you won't want to be without it” Chris Ham, Professor of Health Policy, HSMC
Access a Goldmine of Information HSMC Library & Information Services Park House 40 Edgbaston Park Road Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2RT
Making Sense of the Proxy Server
Tel 0121 414 3672/7060
Fax 0121 414 7051
Email hsmc-library@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Web site www.hsmc.bham.ac.uk/library
Skype Account hsmclibrary
Meebo us www.hsmc.bham.ac.uk/library
Facebook Join the HSMC Facebook Group
Twitter Follow us on Twitter
Opening Hours Term Time Monday-Thursday 9am-7pm Friday 9am-4pm
Vacation
Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm Friday 9am-4pm
Library Training Materials: If you require this information in an alternative format (i.e. large print), please contact the library and staff will make the necessary arrangements Updated 2009
Making Sense of the Proxy Server http://www.helpdesk.bham.ac.uk/eresources/offcampus.shtml Many electronic resource and journal web sites are normally accessible only to computers that are on the University of Birmingham campus or using the University dial-up service. The free proxy service allows users using a commercial internet service provider (ISP) at home, or Hallsnet in University accommodation, to access such sites. This service is available to all members of the University who have a University account and therefore a username and password. You will find your log on details in the paperwork sent to you on registration with the University. If you are unsure of your log on please contact the Help Desk for further assistance on 0121 414 7171. The eLibrary lists the online journals and resources that the University currently subscribes to, and often notes the method of authentication required as well. It is important to note that since all you Internet traffic will be relayed through a server on campus, this will result in your Internet connection running more slowly. It will also mean that you will be subject to both: any network problems affecting the University’s server and subject to the University’s IT monitoring programmes. For this reason we recommend that you only switch the proxy server on when you actually want to view IP restricted materials such as ejournals and that you switch it off when you have finished. What does the University proxy service do? The proxy service works by arranging for your computer to request data from web sites via a computer on the University of Birmingham campus. Let us consider what happens when you try to access an electronic journal in three different cases: When you are on campus When you are off campus, and not using the proxy service When you are off campus, and using the proxy service When you are on campus If you are on campus, the web site recognizes your computer’s address ("IP address") as belonging to the University and you will be given access automatically:
1. User asks to view web page. 2. Web site recognizes address at UoB 3. Web page is sent back to user. When you are off campus If you’re not on campus you won’t normally be able to access such web sites:
1. User asks to view web page. 2. Web site does not recognize address, as user is not at UoB, and does not grant access. Off campus access using the proxy service You can get around this problem, if you have a valid UoB username and password, by using the University’s proxy service. The proxy server is on campus, and after checking your username and password forwards your request to the web site 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
User asks to view web page, sending request to University proxy server. Proxy server checks username and password, and forwards request to web site. Web site recognizes proxy server’s address at UoB. Web page is sent back to proxy server. Proxy server sends page back to user.
Since all your internet traffic is relayed through a server on campus, this will result in your internet connection running more slowly. For this reason we recommend that you only switch the proxy server on when you actually want to view IP restricted materials, such as electronic journals.
How do I set up the Proxy Server? For detailed instructions on how to set up the proxy server go to: http://www.helpdesk.bham.ac.uk/eresources/offcampus.shtml Chose your browser from the list and follow the step by step online instructions. Always check that the proxy is running correctly before you try to access the online resources. If you have problems with the proxy server then ring the University IT helpdesk on 0121 414 7171