Step-by-step instructions for using the proxy server are available on our Remote Access Getting Started page.
What is a Proxy Server?
A proxy server forwards requests between a web browser and the requested website. Many databases and electronic journals provided
by the Dudley Knox Library [DKL] are limited to computers within the NPS campus network due to the license agreements with
the vendors that provide these databases and electronic journals. When you are not on the grounds of NPS you will need to
use a VPN connection to the campus network or use the Library's proxy server service in order to access these resources.
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The Dudley Knox Library web site is openly accessible to any computer via the Internet. However, we also purchase and provide
access to a large number of electronically based commercial information resources. These purchased resources involve software
licenses, copyright restrictions and other contractual agreements that require that they be restricted to a specific "valid"
group of users. This group is limited to NPS faculty, staff and students. These databases are noted by the Dudley Knox Library logo
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] If you are in the library or using a computer from anywhere within the confines of NPS [not including La Mesa Housing] or
connected to the NPS network via the VPN, you will have automatic access to these resources. If you are using an ISP [Internet
Service Provider] from home or trying to access us from anywhere off the campus and are a valid user, you will need to have
a proxy server account.
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Only current NPS faculty, staff and students who have an active account [a current blue library card] are eligible for this
service. To ensure that only authorized people use the proxy server, the user must be "authorized" or "authenticated." You
will need your username which is your network login name [UPPERCASE required] and password which is the PIN assigned by the Library. Distance students who do not have a network account need to contact
the Library's Circulation Desk circdesk@nps.edu or 831-656-2947.
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The Library uses a url re-writing proxy and it does 2 things:
- It validates you as a current Naval Postgraduate School student, faculty or staff member via an assigned user name and password.
- It acts as a "gateway" or "proxy" to those licensed services or otherwise restricted resources which in turn, allows a valid
user to access those resources from anywhere.
When you are outside the NPS domain, and you click on a link to a resource (database, electronic journal, etc.) for which
the proxy is being used, you will get a simple Remote Access Login screen. You need to type in your user name and password
for access to the resource. Your user name is your network account login name [UPPERCASE required] and your password is the PIN from your library card. If you are an NPS distance student and don't have a network account,
please contact the Circulation Desk to get your user name circdesk@nps.edu or 831-656-2947. If you have questions or problems, please contact the Library's Systems Office at libsys@nps.edu.
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Other than ensuring your browser is set to accept cookies, you should not need to do anything to configure your browser. If
your browser is not set to accept cookies, you will be notified when you log in and you will not be able to access the licensed
resources. We recommend that you use one of the latest two versions of any widely used browser.
For more information on cookies see the "Do I need to have "Cookies" enabled on my browser?" section.
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If you do not have a library card and you are an NPS faculty or staff member or are a current resident student, contact the
Library's Circulation Desk circdesk@nps.edu or 831-656-2947. If you are a currently enrolled in the NPS distance learning program, complete the Distance Learning Student Information Form. If you have a library card but are not sure what the PIN is, check to see if there is a 4 digit number written on your blue
library card. If there isn't, please contact the Circulation Desk at circdesk@nps.edu or 831-656-2947.
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Possible reasons for this would include:
- You are using a very old version of a browser. We recommend that you use one of the latest two versions of any widely used
browser.
- If you are using your Internet Service Provider's proprietary browser, you may need to download and use the current version
of any widely used browser.
- If your library account is not current or you have too many overdue library materials you will be denied access. Please contact
the Circulation desk for assistance at circdesk@nps.edu or 831-656-2947.
- If you recently changed your PIN from the library's website, the change may not yet been picked up by the proxy server. Please
contact our Library Systems Office at libsys@nps.edu.
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You should be able to but if you have problems please contact our Library Systems Office at libsys@nps.edu.
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Some of the vendors of our licensed resources are not willing to allow us to provide access to remote users via the proxy
server.
If you are using the proxy server, you must click on the link on our Databases page to access Columbia International Affairs
Online (ciao). Individual journals in ciao can not be accessed from our EJournals page if you are using the proxy server.
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Yes, most commercial resources require that cookies be enabled.
For more detailed information for how to enable cookies, please consult the online help in your browser.
For more information about what "cookies" are and how they work, see the Unofficial Cookies FAQ, available at http://www.cookiecentral.com/faq/
America Online (AOL) users may wish to consult AOL's page of information about enabling cookies at http://webmaster.info.aol.com/cookieguide.html
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For technical questions about connecting to or accessing licensed databases via the proxy server contact the Library Systems
Office at libsys@nps.edu. For reference or research questions or help using specific resources, please contact the Research Assistance Desk at refdesk@nps.edu or 831-656-2485 or try the appropriate Subject Specialist. For questions about books or our circulation policy or if you don't have a current account, contact the Circulation desk
at circdesk@nps.edu or 831-656-2947.
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