Home > Departments > Computer Services >

Computer Services - Off Campus/Remote Access

There are a number of library resources and university webpages that are restricted to on campus or internal access only. To gain access, you will need to connect and browse via the EZProxy server with an authentic university user account.

Connect to the EZProxy server here. There is also an entry point on the front page.

You can determine if you are using remote access by looking at the URL (address) of your page, which will have "ezyproxy" as part of the address.

Problems with Remote Access Login

Please contact the UOC helpdesk by Email, or if urgent by phone (364-0538, or X-80538 from any CDHB public hospital phone).

What is EZProxy

EZProxy was initially provided as a way for libraries to extend web-based licences databases to their remote users by using the EZProxy server to act as an intermediary. However, by using EZProxy authentication, staff and students are also able to browse on-campus webpages off-campus.

Access to the majority of web-based databases is based on IP authentication – an IP address range is registered with the electronic resource vendors and the IP address of a user’s computer must come within that range before access will be granted.. The Library, as part of its licence agreement, needs to ensures only authorised users have access to each e-resources. At the University of Otago, some licences are available to all campuses, while others are restricted to a specific campus.

University staff and students using computers on the University network are assigned an IP address within the University’s range. Users of computers outside of the University network will have the IP address of their Internet service provider.

Current methods for getting around this problem and providing authenticated access for remote users is the use of RNAS and logging in to the staff and student proxy servers. These are still valid methods and can still be used. The benefit of EZProxy is that no proxy settings need to be changed by the user – EZProxy will dynamically rewrite the URL that a remote user is trying to access and include authentication details to the electronic resource host.

Who can use the CSMHS Ezproxy

Though a user may have a University username and password, only those people who have the Christchurch campus codes will be able to use EZProxy.

All other remote users will need to continue to use the existing authentication methods – ie changing proxy settings to login to the student or staff proxy servers, or by using RNAS.

How it works

The user clicks on a URL to access an electronic resource:

1. Computers on the University network will by-pass the EXProxy servers. This includes remote users who are using RNAS, or have logged in to either the student or staff proxy servers. There is no change to the way these users are currently accessing electronic resources. The IP address the electronic resource vendor sees is the IP address of the user’s computer or the address of any proxy server they have passed through.
2. Computers on the networks of the Dunedin, Christchurch and Capital Coast District Health Boards will by-pass the EZProxy server. There is no change to the way they are currently accessing electronic resources. The IP address the electronic resource vendor sees is the IP address of the user’s computer or the address of any proxy server they have passed through
3. All other IP addresses are considered as remote users and will be directed to the EZProxy servers.
4. The remote user will be requested to login using their University username and password. This is checked against the University’s LDAP servers.
5. Once authenticated, a campus code is returned.
6. The user’s request is directed to the EZProxy server on the appropriate campus.
7. TheEZProxy server checks a file to see whether the requested URL is aknown. If yes, it will direct the request on the user’s behalf to the electronic resource host.
8. Once a user has authenticated to the EZProxy server, they will remain authenticated until the browser is closed.

University of Otago Ezproxy Setup

^ Top of page | Contact Us | Legal Information | Feedback | Site Map | Site Search

© CSM&HS