Medical Library Proxy Server

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Proxy Server News

Internet Explorer 8 - We've tested the proxy server and mostl major library resources on Internet Explorer 8 and found no problems.
Yale VPN - Consider using the Yale ITS VPN for remote access instead of the proxy server. Anyone with a Yale NetID can use the VPN.

Which Remote Access Option is the best?

The Medical Library Proxy Server allows affiliates of the Yale School of Medicine, the School of Nursing and Yale-New Haven Hospital to access restricted library resources including electronic books, electronic journals and databases from virtually any off-campus computer. The proxy server will not provide access to confidential clinical or administrative information at Yale-New Haven Hospital. A proxy server connection only affects data sent through the Web browser you configure to use the proxy.

The proxy server is one of several remote access methods available. The Medical School VPN is often the best option for Yale University-affiliated users. In addition to allowing access to library resources, the VPN provides additional security and other features over the more limited browser-based proxy service. Because the VPN uses university NetID authentication, it is NOT an option for hospital employees nor can be it used unless your NetID password has been created. The VPN is supported by Yale University Information Technology Services (ITS) .

Signup for a Proxy Account

Complete the Web application form to receive a personal password for the medical proxy server. Medical Library staff will verify your affiliation and may contact you by email if further information is required. Anyone with a yale.edu or ynhh.org email address is required to use that address when applying. Applicants without a university or hospital email account should use an email address that is monitored on a regular basis.

If you qualify for access, a password will be sent to the email address you provide below. The password is for you only and should not be shared with others. If fellow students or colleagues are interested in proxy server access, they must apply for their own personal account.

Which browser is best to use?

You should check with ITS-MED for the most current information on recommended browsers. We have found that most browsers are compatible with the proxy server. Here are a few special considerations:

Mac Users - Microsoft Internet Explorer for Macs is incompatible with the proxy server on Macs running newer version of OS X. Furthermore, IE for the Mac does not work with some library applications, most notably OVID. Safari and Mozilla Firefox are both compatible with our proxy server on systems running OS X 3.x and higher.
Windows Users - All popular browsers appear to work well with the proxy server. DSL users may find the configuration more difficult in IE than in Netscape or Firefox but all will work.
AOL users - The AOL Web browser does not support Web proxies. Neither can you use Internet Explorer if you connect to the Internet via AOL. Check the AOL Faq for more information on this and other special considerations for AOL users.

Configuring your Web Browser to use the Proxy Server

Don't configure your browser until you receive the email with your proxy password. Your password will often come the same day you apply but it may take several days before you get a response.

It is not possible to fully document all of the variations for every combination of OS version, browser version and connection configuration. That said, these configuration instructions should work for most everyone.

Configuring Mozilla Firefox version 3.x.x.x (for both Windows & Macs)

Open your Web browser.
For Windows: Under "Tools", select "Internet Options
For Macs: Under "Firefox", select "Preferences".
Select the "Advanced" category icon and then click on "Network" tab
Click "Settings" next to "Connection: Configure how Firefox connects to the Internet"
Select "Manual proxy configuration"
Next to "HTTP Proxy" enter: proxy.med.yale.edu
In the field labeld "Port:" enter: 3128
Enter the same server name and port address for "SSL Proxy"
Click "OK" (or "apply" of the Mac) until you've closed all dialog boxes.
The first page you go to after enabling the proxy will generatea dialog box requesting a User Name and Password. Enter your email address for username, and the password you received.

Configuring Mozilla Firefox version 1.5.x for Windows

Open your Web browser. Under "Tools" select " Options
In the "General" category, click on "Connection Settings"
Select "Manual proxy configuration"
Next to "HTTP Proxy" enter: proxy.med.yale.edu
In the field labeld "Port:" enter: 3128
Enter the same server name and port address for "SSL Proxy"
Click "OK" until you've closed all dialog boxes.
The first page you go to after enabling the proxy will generatea dialog box requesting a User Name and Password. Enter your email address for username, and the password you received.

Configuring Internet Explorer (for Windows Users)

Open your browser. Under the 'Tools' menu, select 'Internet Options'
Click on the 'Connections' Tab
***IF CONNECTING THROUGH A DIALUP MODEM or SOLO DSL CONNECTION (i.e. no LAN, only one computer connected)
Under 'Dialup Settings', highlight the dialup networking profile you use for Internet access. Then click on the 'Settings' button to access options for that specific dialup session.
***IF CONNECTING THROUGH CABLE MODEM, DSL ROUTER or LAN
Click on the box "LAN Settings...". then check the box next to 'Use a proxy server' in the 'Proxy Server' section
Click on 'Advanced'
Go to the box next to HTTP: in the column 'Proxy Address to Use' and type: proxy.med.yale.edu
Go to the next space in the column labeled 'Port' and type: 3128
Enter the same server name and port number for "Secure"
Click on 'OK' to save settings until all boxes are closed
The first page you go to after enabling the proxy will generate a dialog box requesting a User Name and Password Enter your email address for username, and your proxy password.

Configuring Safari (tested with ver. 1.3.2 on OS X 10.3.9 and ver. 2.0.4 on OS X 10.4.10)

Open Safari. Under the "Safari" tab select "Preferences".
Select the "Advanced" category icon
Next to "Proxies:" click on "Change Settings" (this will open the System Network Preferences)
Make certain that the correct connection method is in the "Show" window (e.g. airport, built-in ethernet)
Check the box next to "Web Proxy (HTTP)", then enter proxy.med.yale.edu in the first field and 3128 in the field labeled "Port".
Do the same for "Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS)"
Click "Apply" and then close all dialog boxes.
The first page you go to after enabling the proxy will generate a dialog box requesting a User Name and Password. Enter your email address for username, and the password you received.

Proxy On / Proxy Off

Check your IP address to confirm a proxy connection

When the proxy server is enabled ("turned on"), every web page you go to will pass through the proxy server whether it is a yale.edu page or not. You will need to login at the beginning of each browser session and will not see your default home page until you have entered your login and password. The proxy server connection will "timeout" if you don't use the browser for about thirty minutes. If this happens, just login again when you are prompted by the proxy server.

We recommend that you use the proxy only when you need to access Web sites and content restricted to Yale University. You can fairly easily deactivate (turn off) the proxy and turn it back on when you again want to access Yale resources. Some users find it convenient to configure one Web browser to use the proxy server and use that one whenever they want to access to Yale resources. They then use a second Web browser for general Web browsing. To turn the proxy off and on again:

In Netscape and Firefox - Refer to the configuration instructions. Click in the circle next to 'Direct Connection to the Internet' and click 'OK'. To reactivate the proxy, go back and reselect 'Manual Proxy Configuration'. The proxy address and port number information are maintained so you won't have to add them again.
In Internet Explorer - Refer to the configuration instructions to get to the 'Use a proxy server' option. Uncheck this box and click OK to save. To reactivate the proxy, click the box next to'Use a proxy server'. The proxy address and port number information are maintained so you won't have to add them again.
In Safari - Go to the Proxies tab and uncheck the box next to 'HTTP' To reactivate the proxy, recheck these boxes'. The proxy address and port number information are maintained so you won't have to add them again.

Questions, comments, or complaints? Please read the Proxy Frequently Asked Questions. This FAQ helps solve most of the questions we commonly hear from folks first using the proxy, so please read it through -- it might tell you just what you need to know. If you still have questions, contact Mark Gentry in the Cushing/Whitney Medical Library.

Full name:
Email address:	You MUST use a yale.edu or ynhh.org email address if you have one.
Affiliation:	Please select according to your primary affiliation.
Appointment type:	e.g. "Medical Student, "OB/GYN resident" or "Associate Professor in Neurology"