WISER: Remote access to databases and datasets

1. WISER: Remote access to databases and datasets This session will help you to set up access to Oxford online resources from your home computer. The key methods are Athens/Single-Sign-On passwords and the Virtual Private Network. Judy Reading & Peter Higginbotham

2. Outline of session • This session will cover: • A brief overview of the range of resources which you may wish to access from home. • An outline of how to find out which method is most appropriate for which resource • Instructions for how to set up access through each of the methods described.

3. OxLIP OxLIP (Oxford Libraries Information Platform) is a gateway to hundreds of electronic resources • http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/oxlip/ • Includes: – catalogues – abstracting & indexing services– reference works – full-text resources– statistical resource – official publications– electronic journals – quality web resources– current awareness services • Free and subscription databases • Oxford resources eg OXAM (Examination papers)

4. Examples of Databases • Abstract and Indexing Services: • CSA (ASSIA, ERIC, LISA, Social Services Abs, Sociological Abs, Worldwide Political Science Abs) • IBSS (International Bibliography of the Social Sciences) • WebSPIRS (EconLit, PAIS, PsycInfo) • Citation index: • Web of Knowledge/Social Science Citation Index • Other: • TDNet (Electronic journals) • Catalogues • Theses and Dissertations • Other OXLIP resources • Web resources

5. Remote access to electronic resources • If you are a member of Oxford University and are using a PC, Mac or Unix workstation within the ox.ac.uk domain you will be able to access most electronic resources without requiring a username and/or password. • If you want to access electronic resources from outside Oxford University you will need to register either for a personal username and password or for the University's VPN Service, and in some cases both.

6. Oxam from off campus

7. Justis – from on-campus

8. Justis – from off campus

9. Athens/SSO • The Athens authentication service allows the use of a single username and password to access all electronic resources listed here http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/athens/resources.xml from any network connected computer. • Until recently to use the service you had to register for an Athens personal account and set a password (still possible via https://register.oucs.ox.ac.uk) • Now Oxford is in the process of migrating to the use of the Single Sign-on (SSO) username and password instead of the Athens password • You will be able to access the same range of services

10. VPN: Virtual Private Network • The great majority of resources are limited to the Oxford Internet domain by IP address. This means that when within the ox.ac.uk domain no login is required. • When working off campus, you can be allocated an Oxford IP address through the University's Virtual Private Network (VPN) Service. This makes your computer part of our virtual campus. • To use this service you must register for a remote access account and install and run VPN software on your computer. • Many of these resources can also be accessedthrough your Athens/SSO username and password.

11. How do you know what to use?

12. For complete coverage use both!

13. The Oxford Single Sign-On Account This account is the key to remote access of digital resources • You already use your SSO account for Webmail, Weblearn, OUCS Course booking etc. • You can also now use it instead of the Athens username and password.

14. Using the Athens/SSO Account Look for the Alternative Login on Athens login screens: • Search for ‘Oxford’ and click Go • Click on University of Oxford entry in list • Click on Go underneath the Go to the University of Oxford login page (the ‘Remember’ option is ticked by default and will shorten the process next time) • Login with your Oxford Single Sign-On details Demo of Digimap

15. Demonstration: Setting up VPN • More details on VPN can be found at http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/network/remote/ • You need to both register for a remote access account and download and install the VPN client software • Available for Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP and Vista, Mac OSX 10.2-4 (and all Intel Macs), Linux and Solaris  • You can do both of the above through the Self-Registration Interface https://register.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ • Start the VPN software whenever you need access to Oxford electronic resources

16. Demonstration: Using VPN • On Windows, click the Start button and look in the All Programs list for Cisco Systems VPN Client • On Mac OSX the Applications folder will contain VPN Client • Click Connect then enter your Remote Access username and password • Software can be set to remember the password, but don’t do this unless you are the only user of the machine

17. The Most Common VPN Problems • Error Message: The remote peer is no longer responding • Indicates a firewall blocking VPN traffic. Required settings are: UDP Port 500, 4500 and 10000 open for send/receiveIP protocol 50 (ESP) allowed • Error Message: User authentication failed • username/password provided are not what the server expects. Password can be reset via the OUCS self-registration pagehttps://register.oucs.ox.ac.uk • password has changed since VPN client remembered it. VPN will forget the password via Connection Entries  Modify  Erase User Password • For other problems try the online trouble-shooter: www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/helpcentre/troubleshooting/vpn/

18. Help • You can ask your local Library or IT staff for help • Ask at the OUCS Help Centre or see http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/help • Problems with accessing e-resources can be sent to eresources@ouls.ox.ac.uk