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Library Off Campus Access: EZproxy

EZproxy

Remote access to e-content

EZproxy gives off-campus access to many of our subscription resources without needing VPN (GlobalProtect) or multiple logins. Click through to a resource from the library webpages (subject pages, A-Z list of e-resources, our catalogue Library Search) and use your University login for full access.

EZproxy only works from links on the library webpages - if you Google a resource, EZproxy will not be activated.

How does EZproxy work?

EZproxy includes a prefix in front of the resource URL. This prefix has been added to the database, e-journal and e-book links on the library website. Our prefix is: http://soton.idm.oclc.org/login?url=

Can all resources be accessed using EZproxy?

EZproxy has been enabled for over 200 of our suppliers, but not all suppliers offer EZproxy authentication. Some resources including Box of Broadcasts (Learning on Screen), Digimap, Times Higher and e-content requiring a specific username and password still require VPN (GlobalProtect) or logging in via the UK Access Management Federation option (this may display as ‘Sign in via your institution’ or ‘UK Access Management Federation’).

What’s changed and why?

We want to provide you with a seamless experience when accessing e-content. EZproxy provides off-campus users with a similar experience to on-campus users, using your University log in without needing VPN (GlobalProtect). The Library has been working with 200 of our main suppliers of e-content, ranging in size and complexity from multi-national publishers to scholarly societies to implement EZproxy to improve remote access to e-content.

How does it work?

  • With EZproxy, there is no need to login to VPN (GlobalProtect) to access the majority of library resources when you are off-campus. Just remember to use the links from the Library website rather than googling the resource you need.
  • EZproxy detects when you are off-campus when you first access a licensed resource. You will be prompted for your institutional username and password for access to the resource without needing VPN (GlobalProtect).
  • Having logged in once, you should remain logged in for 2 hours as long as you continue to use the same browser window. 
  • EZproxy works by including a prefix in front of the resource URL. This prefix has been added to the database, e-journal and e-book links on the library website.

This is our prefix: http://soton.idm.oclc.org/login?url=

URLs with the EZproxy prefix connect users through the EZproxy server. Links to licensed library resources need to pass through the EZproxy server in order to show the resource providers that users are accessing via a valid internet address. The server is configured with a list of our subscribed e-resources.

Example:

Ejournals (Emerald): http://soton.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://www.emeraldinsight.com/
 

Flow diagram showing a resource being requested, authenticated by EZproxy and delivered to the user

EZproxy FAQs

EZproxy FAQs

What is EZproxy?

EZproxy enables us to seamlessly deliver e-content to you from off-campus, without the need for VPN, and with no software required.

What is the difference between EZproxy and VPN?

EZproxy

  • With EZproxy there is no software to install, or any browser changes required (unlike VPN). When you access an e-resource off-campus from the Library website you don’t have to worry about authentication setup - when you click the resource, EZproxy will manage the connection, you will then be prompted to sign in with your University login and connect automatically.
  • EZproxy can only authenticate resources which are accessed through the Library’s A-Z list, subject pages or Library search. If you access a resource from Google, EZproxy won’t work.
  • Closing the open browser session will halt the current EZproxy authentication. You will need to sign in again when you open a new browser window.

    •  
VPN
  • VPN requires software to be installed on your PC (or mobile device), and some configuration is required before first using. To access resources from the Library, VPN software first needs to be running and connected.
  • You aren’t limited to where you begin accessing the resource (A-Z, Library Search, Google). The authentication works in the background no matter how you browse.
  • Closing the open browser session will not halt authentication.

How does EZproxy work?

EZproxy works by including a prefix in front of the resource URL. This prefix has been added to the database, e-journal and e-book links on the library website.

Our prefix is: http://soton.idm.oclc.org/login?url=

Do I need to install EZproxy on my PC?

No software is required – just remember to access your e-resources through the Library’s webpages.

Do I need to configure my browsers?

No, you don't need to configure your browser to use EZproxy. The EZproxy system detects when you’re off-campus when you first access a licensed resource. You are then prompted for your institutional username and password for access to the resource.

Will I notice a difference?

If you are off campus, EZproxy will make it easier to access resources directly from the Library website – you will not need to use VPN or repeatedly login.

Do all e-resources use EZproxy? What about institutional login and Shibboleth (UK Access Management Federation) authentication?

These are still in use as some e-content suppliers are currently unable to offer EZproxy authentication. So far we have worked with over 200 of our main suppliers to enable EZproxy, and we are continuing to work with others.

How can I tell if a resource has EZproxy?

When you first connect to a resource you will prompted to enter your UoS username and password, and EZproxy will connect.

If you look at the URL, you will see http://soton.idm.oclc.org/login?url= as part of the link. Once connected, authentication is continuous for the current browser session – closing and reopening the browser requires you to sign in again.

How do I use access resources if EZproxy is not available?

If you are unable to access a resource off campus through EZproxy, use VPN (GlobalProtect).

Are there any tips or troubleshooting advice?

Typically, an EZproxy session will remain valid for 2 hours once logged in. The session will automatically time out after 2 hours of inactivity or ends when you close/quit your browser.

When in doubt, check your URL address to see if it contains the University library's proxy prepend http://soton.idm.oclc.org/login?url=. If it's there, you are still connected and should have access.


If the proxy prepend dropped out of the URL, or if the current session already expired, the system may prompt you to log in again or you can go back to the library page and open the resource again. If you are connected but still not able to access a resource or are prompted to pay or log in at a vendor's web site, please contact us at libenqs@soton.ac.uk

Enabling cookies and Enabling JavaScript.

EZproxy enables us to seamlessly deliver e-content to you from off-campus, without the need for VPN, and with no software required.
 

Clearing your cache.

Your browser's cache stores snapshots of webpages you visit on your computer. Occasionally, your cache can prevent you from seeing updated content or cause problems. Clearing the cache can sometimes help.

Information for NHS students and staff

NHS resources will not be added to EZproxy.

Students on short courses from NHS Trusts, and NHS staff, should continue to use OpenAthens. If you are accessing University resources on an NHS placement, EZproxy will not work with NHS firewalls so please use your institutional login.

Students on NHS courses, and NHS staff, will require a OpenAthens login to access some of their resources. Details of how to register for an account can be found on our OpenAthens page.

How can I get help?

Please contact us via email: libenqs@soton.ac.uk