Library Database usage:
1. How do I get into the library’s databases from home?
Most of the library’s databases can now be accessed using the EZProxy server, which provides access to almost every database that is available on campus.
- Go to the Databases page on the website.
- Click on the database that you want to search.
- Type your first name, last name and ID #. Click here to find your ID#.
- Click on Login Securly button.
2. What else do I have to do?
Authentication should require no configuration on the user's part. When you click on a link to an online library resource, EZProxy checks whether your computer is on-campus or off.
- If you are on-campus, you will bypass authentication and be sent directly to the resource.
- If you are off-campus, you will be required to log in with your first name, last name and ID# then be sent to the resource.
3. Who can use library databases?
You must be a Wright State University student, staff, faculty or an affiliate to use the databases.
4. I can't access library resources from off campus, who do I call for help?
Call the Dunbar Library at 775-2925 or the Fordham Health Sciences Library at
775-2005. You may also send your request for assistance to http://www.libraries.wright.edu/cgi-bin/eresource.pl. The librarian will diagnose and resolve most access problems or document and pass on problems that require in-depth assistance or configuration changes to the EZProxy administrator, Vishwam Annam at Vishwam.annam@wright.edu.
5. Why do I need to be "authenticated"?
Online databases and electronic journals to which the WSU Libraries subscribe are restricted for use by WSU students, faculty and staff. Access to most online resources is based on your computer's IP address. Anyone coming from a campus IP address gets access, but users are refused access if they are coming from elsewhere. To provide off-campus access for WSU users, EZProxy is used. EZProxy performs two primary functions:
- Authenticates users as student, staff, faculty or affiliate by requiring a login, thus ensuring compliance with vendor restrictions
- Serves as an on-campus intermediary (with a valid IP address) by passing information between off-campus users and restricted online resources.
6. What Library resources can I access from off campus?
At this time, the EZProxy is used for providing off-campus access to online resources (databases, electronic journals) subscribed by the WSU libraries and OhioLINK. Almost all online library resources are made accessible to off-campus users this way. There are a few online resources that have special restrictions which limit their use to on-campus computers. Off-campus users do not have access to databases are SciFinder Scholar, RIA Checkpoint, Compustat, StatUSA, and USA Trade Online.
7. What are WSU Only databases?
Click here to see the list of WSU Only databases.This list of resources is available to patrons with a Wright State University IP address. This would include anyone on the WSU campus or any WSU student, faculty or staff accessing the libraries' website by dialing into the WSU Modem Pool or through an ISP using the EZproxy server.
8. Can I still use the old Proxy Server?
No Click here to know how to remove the old proxy settings.
ERRORS:
1. Why do I get an authentication error? What do I do? To see the screen shot of this type of error click here
If you believe you typed your first name, last name, and ID # correctly and you are still having trouble logging in, you may wish to check:
- You are NOT adding extra information when typing your name.
- If you are still having problems, please call one of the numbers below:
Dunbar Library – (937) 775-2925,
Fordham Library – (937) 775-2005
2. Why do I get an authentication failed error? To see screen shots of these type of errors click screen1 screen2.
Because you are not authorized to access that particular database from off campus. Some databases are accessible to WSU faculty, staff, and students, but not to WSU affiliates or other library patrons. Click here to see the list of WSU Only databases
3. I got a Hostname error similar to "The Web Site you requested is not available
Report the problem to Vishwam Annam, EZProxy administrator, at Vishwam.annam@wright.edu This problem will be corrected soon after your email is received.
What do I do? To see the screen shot of this type of error click here
You will get Hostname Error page when you attempt to access a database that has not yet been set up for use by EZProxy. The EZProxy administrator must specify all the domains (i.e., lexis-nexis.com) and computer hostnames (i.e., web.lexis-nexis.com) for which EZProxy should be used. In this case, all the online library resources should be added to EZProxy database.
Database vendors often change domain names, or pull content from new computer hosts without ever informing libraries. Thus, when a hostname error occurs, EZProxy's configuration must be updated to include the new host for proxying.
To expedite correction of this error, please note:
- the name of the resource you were trying to access
- the computer hostname line listed on the error page
Report the problem by email to Vishwam Annam, EZProxy administrator, at Vishwam.annam@wright.edu This problem will be corrected as soon as possible after your notice is received.
4. I got a Cookie Error. What do I do?
Both EZProxy and certain databases send "cookies" when you connect to them to verify, during your session, that you are an authorized user. If your browser reports an error receiving a "cookie ," it may be currently set to disallow cookies.
In Netscape, check: Edit Menu/Preferences/Advanced and make sure cookies are not disallowed.
In Internet Explorer, check: Tools Menu/Internet Options/Security Tab/ and make sure your security level is medium (or above) or, if you have a custom level, that cookies are not disabled.
5. Why did I get a "404 Error" (File Not Found) page or a "Server not Found or DNS Error" page?
EZProxy delivers error pages to users for certain common problems. These will usually have the libraries' header and information relevant to explaining the problem and solution. There are a variety of common errors that occur during general surfing of the Internet. When they occur, the web server (or web browser) sends an error page for you to view - usually without a lot of explanation. These may or may not be related to EZProxy. Two common Internet errors are:
- 404 Errors (Page not Found)
- "Server not Found or DNS Error"
Users may get these errors for a variety of reasons.
- An incorrect URL, outdated link or a missing page
- Attempting to use the old Library Proxy Server (or a company or ISP's proxy server) to access resources set up to use EZProxy
- Some aspect of your network is down or very busy
Whenever you get an error page, especially one that doesn't come from EZProxy, it is important you note what the error page says, the URL you were trying to access (and from where) and other relevant information. Then email the EZProxy administrator at Vishwam.annam@wright.edu to report the problem and get help resolving it.
6. Why did I get a "Page can not be displayed " or "Page not found" error?
When you receive these errors in your browser, it often points to browser incompatibility or firewall and DNS issues.
To resolve the browser incompatibility, try a different browser other than you are currently using. For example try Mozilla browser, and connect through WSU Library databases. If it still show the same "page can not be displayed" error ask your Internet Service Provider or firewall administror to open ports 2048 and 8443. This normally solves the problem, if you are still seeing the same error, try connecting to the databases through OhioLINK.
7. I get through Library authentication successfully, but I am asked to log in again on the database screen.
There are two possibilities: an error or a password-protected resource.
Almost all online resources validate users by their IP address. Occasionally, a vendor requires usernames and passwords. You must use these resources in a campus library.
Otherwise, a login screen is an indication of an access error, perhaps requiring a change in our server's configuration. You should note the name of the resource you were trying to access and call one of the numbers below to report the problem:
Dunbar Library – (937) 775-2925, Fordham Library – (937) 775-2005
8. Why don't certain features or links in the database seem to function when I'm using remote access?
The various database vendors use a variety of programming methods on their database web sites. Some of these methods can make it hard for the proxy server to keep passing information between you and the site. If certain links or other aspects of the site aren't functioning, there are a few primary possibilities:
- The proxy server's configuration for the database needs to be adjusted. If these features function when accessing the resource from on-campus (which doesn't use the proxy server), then the proxy server's configuration may have to be adjusted to adapt to the database's particular method
- Problem is with vendor's site. Like any information technology, there are often problems on the vendor's end that lead to problems with the database. These problems are generally resolved fairly quickly once the vendor is aware of them
- Problem is with your browser's ability to handle site's programming
- Problems could also be due to your browser not working with the programming they use (Java or JavaScript, Active Server pages, etc.) You browser's settings might be preventing certain functionality, or, sometimes, an error occurs in the browser that can't be resolved until you reboot your computer.
- Certain content or features are not part of the library's subscription. In a few databases, the library's subscription does not provide access to all features or content on a site. In this case, you may get an error message or login screen - though it may also be that what appear to be links to those features are simply not active.
As always, you should note the name of the resource and the features you were trying to access and call one of the numbers : Dunbar Library – (937) 775-2925, Fordham Library – (937) 775- 2005
9. What browsers and internet services are not compatible with ezproxy server?
Browsers: We are not unaware of any browsers that are incompatible with EZproxy. There are database vendors that are incompatible with certain browsers, though, and in such instances, EZproxy does not change that incompatibility. The built-in AOL browser is well known for having issues with database vendors. For AOL, the recommended solution is for the user to go online with AOL, then launch a web browser (most often IE) outside of AOL and access through that.
The Safari browser on Mac operating system some times doesn't work well with some databases. We recommed trying the Netscape browser. Click here to see list of available Macintosh browsers.
Internet Services: As far as Internet services, the only known issue with a specific ISP is with NetZero HiSpeed. Click here to change settings if you have NetZero HiSpeed internet connection.
