New to EZproxy?

New to EZproxy?

What is EZproxy?

EZproxy provides secure remote access to e-resources. Users authenticate and then they can access licensed online resources from off-campus.
     
PALS hosts and supports EZproxy for about 40 libraries in Minnesota. Most use LDAP authentication.

What is Needed?

Remember that there are three parts needed for a database to work with the proxy:
  1. A current stanza for the vendor in your config.txt file (See the official stanzas here)
  2. The vendor needs your proxy prefix and proxy IP address on their end
  3. A correctly constructed link

Once EZproxy is set up, construct your links by putting your proxy prefix in front of the database link. Your proxy prefix will look something like this:
https://testproxy.mnpals.net/login?url=

A good database link will look something like this:
https://testproxy.mnpals.net/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,uid&profile=ehost&defaultdb=rzh
or https://login.cenproxy.mnpals.net/login?url=https://research.ebsco.com/c/{OPID}/?db=keh

If you are sharing specific content such as an article or video, do not just grab the URL from the address bar at the top of your browser. Look for a link in an area marked Share. It might also be called permalink or persistent link. Unless you are using the new EBSCO UI, in which case the URL at the top of the screen is also a permalink.

Remember that open-access resources do not need to be proxied, so you should not include the proxy prefix for open-access resources.

If you haven't yet updated your EZproxy links to HTTPS, please update them. Remember that there are two parts to your links and both should be HTTPS:
  1. The proxy prefix - https://testproxy.mnpals.net/login?url=
  2. The link to the database - https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,uid&profile=ehost&defaultdb=rzh

ELM Databases

We have access to a number of databases in Minnesota from Minitex. View set up information here.

Also, it can be useful to check what links they are using here. Be sure to use your links with your proxy prefix so that you get the usage data.

Tips for New Staff

  1. If you add a new database vendor, please tell us via a ticket, so we can add the stanza for you. If you drop a database vendor, it is good to remove the stanza as well.
  2. Being sure your links are right is probably your first priority. When links change, remember to update them everywhere, including your website, Primo, research guides, D2L, etc.
  3. If you do not have the information to log in to the Admin interface of EZproxy, please put in a ticket.
  4. For most user login problems, they need to reset their password and/or they are not entering the right password. (Learn more about troubleshooting user problems here.)

Official Documentation from OCLC

  1. Introduction
  2. Starting point URLs and config.txt
  3. Introduction to database stanza directives
  4. The current database stanzas

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