Proxy Servers
From UCBMathWiki
Even if you are not on campus, you can still remotely access all the services and subscriptions that are available when you are physically on the campus network. Examples of such services are: MathSciNet, UC e-Links, JStor, etc.
There are two basic ways to do this. The first is by connecting using a Virtual Private Network which will establish a secure tunnel to the campus. To do this you must install special software on your computer, the Cisco VPN Client, which is available from Software Central[1]. The other method is to enable your browser to use a proxy server. Basically, what this means is that your computer communicates with the internet through an intermediary, the proxy server. In this case, the intermediary is the University server. Websites like MathSciNet only see the intermediary and treat all requests as if they were coming from the university. This is how you get access.
Note: You should have proxy servers enabled only when you need them. Since you are going through the intermediary, every request for information requires 4 transfers instead of two. This can cause a noticeable slowdown in your internet speed. (Instead of You -> Website -> You it becomes You -> Proxy -> Website -> Proxy -> You).
Instructions on using a Proxy
Taken directly from the University library site.
Internet Explorer 6.0 and 5.x (MS Windows Only) Dial-up Modem Connection with Internet Explorer 6.0 or 5.x
- select: Tools
- select: Internet Options...
- select: Connections
- in the Dial-up settings box find the icon with the name of your dial-up service, and click on the icon once to highlight it
- select: Settings...
- check the box next to: "Automatically detect settings"
- check the box next to: "Use automatic configuration script"
- enter this Address: http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu:7777/proxy.pac
- click on OK
- click on OK on the Internet Options menu
Internet Explorer 6.0 and 5.x (MS Windows Only) DSL or Cable-Modem Connection (LAN) with Internet Explorer 6.0 or 5.x
- Notes: (1) Some users report that Internet Explorer 6.0 needs to be configured as if for a dial-up connection when used with a DSL or cable-modem service. (2) There seem to be one or more versions of Internet Explorer 6.0 that have been modified by SBC for use with their DSL service. If you are using such a browser, look for a "DSL Settings" facility rather than the "LAN Settings" area.
- select: Tools
- select: Internet Options...
- select: Connections
- select: LAN Settings
- check the box next to: "Use automatic configuration script"
- enter this Address: http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu:7777/proxy.pac
- click on OK
- click on OK on the Internet Options menu
Internet Explorer 4.x (MS Windows Only)
- Use Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Higher; SP2 Highly Recommended
- select View
- select Internet Options
- select the Connection tab
- in the Automatic configuration box click on Configure
- enter this URL: http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu:7777/proxy.pac
- click on Refresh
- click on OK then OK again on the Internet Options menu
Internet Explorer 3.x (MS Windows Only)
- select View
- select Options
- select the Connection tab
- in the Automatic configuration box click on Configure
- enter this URL: http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu:7777/proxy.pac
- click on OK then OK again on the Internet Options menu
Netscape 7.x, 6.x or 4.x
- select Edit
- select Preferences
- click on the '+' to the left of the Advanced option
- click on Proxies
- click on the Automatic proxy configuration button
- enter in the Configuration Location (URL): http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu:7777/proxy.pac
- click Reload and OK
Netscape 7.x, 6.x or 4.x in Mac OSX
- select Netscape from the menu bar.
- select Preferences
- click on the triangle to the left of the Advanced option
- click on Proxies
- click on the Automatic proxy configuration button
- enter in the Configuration Location (URL): http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu:7777/proxy.pac
- click Reload and OK
Netscape Navigator 3.x and 2.x
- select Options
- select Network Preferences
- select the Proxies tab
- click on Automatic proxy configuration
- enter in the Configuration Location (URL): http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu:7777/proxy.pac
- click Reload and oK
Mozilla 0.9.x or 1.x
- select Edit
- select Preferences
- click on the '+' to the left of the Advanced option
- click on Proxies
- click on the Automatic proxy configuration button
- enter in the Configuration Location (URL): http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu:7777/proxy.pac
- click Reload and OK
Mozilla 0.9.x or 1.x in Mac OSX
- select Mozilla from the menu bar.
- select Preferences
- click on the triangle to the left of the Advanced option
- click on Proxies
- click on the Automatic proxy configuration button
- enter in the Configuration Location (URL): http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu:7777/proxy.pac
- click Reload and OK
Mozilla Firefox 2.x
- select Tools
- select Options
- select Advanced
- select the Network tab
- in the "Connection" box, click on "Settings"
- click on the Automatic proxy configuration radio button
- enter in the Automatic proxy configuration URL: http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu:7777/proxy.pac
- click Reload and then OK to close the "Connection Settings" dialog box
- click OK to close the "Options" dialog box
Mozilla Firefox 1.x
- select Tools
- select Options
- click on "Connection Settings" at the bottom of the "General" section of the "Options" dialog box
- click on the Automatic proxy configuration button
- enter in the Automatic proxy configuration URL: http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu:7777/proxy.pac
- click Reload and then OK to close the "Connection Settings" dialog box
- click OK to close the "Options" dialog box
Mozilla Firefox 2.x in Mac OSX
- select Firefox from the menu bar.
- select Preferences
- select the Advanced icon
- select the Network tab
- in the "Connection" box, click on "Settings" button to bring up the "Set Up Proxies to Access the Internet" dialog box>
- click on the "Automatic proxy configuration URL" radio button
- enter the "Automatic proxy configuration URL:" http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu:7777/proxy.pac
- click Reload and OK to close the "Connection Settings" dialog box
- click OK to save your changes and exit the Preferences dialog box.
Mozilla Firefox 1.x in Mac OSX
- select Firefox from the menu bar.
- select Preferences
- select the General icon
- click on the "Connection Settings" button to bring up the "Set Up Proxies for Accessing the Internet" dialog box>
- click on the "Automatic proxy configuration URL" radio button
- enter the "Automatic proxy configuration URL:" http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu:7777/proxy.pac
- click Reload and OK to close the "Connection Settings" dialog box
- click OK to save your changes and exit the Preferences dialog box.
Safari in Mac OSX
NOTE: Safari 2 under Mac OS 10.4.3 will work with the proxy service, as will Safari 1.2 under Mac OS 10.3.2. Safari 2 under 10.4 is problematic, and you should upgrade to the 10.4.3 level of the operating system if you hope to use Safari with the proxy service.
- Start up Safari, and choose "Preferences" from the "Safari" menu.
- Click on the "Advanced" icon.
- In the "Proxies:" option, click the "Change Settings..." button.
- System Preferences should start up automatically, with the "Network" panel open and "Proxies" selected. You may need to log in with your Administrator password to make these changes.
- Under "Select a proxy server to configure:", choose "Automatic Proxy Configuration." (You may need to scroll down the list to the end to see this choice).
- In the "Proxy Configuration File" text box, enter the URL for the CalNet-authenticating proxy server's configuration script: http://proxy.lib.berkeley.edu:7777/proxy.pac
- Click the "Apply now" button.
- Close the Network control panel.
It is not necessary to restart Safari to begin using the Library proxy server. There are, however, a number of caveats regarding the use of Safari with the proxy service.
