Getting Connected

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

Note: Faculty and staff, please consult your network administrator to be sure that your laptop is sufficiently equipped before leaving.

Web Browser

To use the library catalog, electronic journals, databases, and other electronic resources, a web browser is the fundamental piece of software you need. We recommend one of the following browsers (using the latest available version is strongly recommended):

Windows: Firefox (v1.x or higher) or Internet Explorer (v6.x or higher)

Mac: Firefox (v1.x or higher) or Safari

We do not recommend using the AOL browser to access library resources--users have reported problems with the library catalog when using it.

Acrobat Reader

Since many full text databases and journals make their articles available in PDF format, Acrobat Reader is another essential piece of software. Visit the Reader website the obtain the latest version (free download).

Citrix Client

Some CD-ROM resources in the UIUC Library are made available through Citrix. You will need to have the Citrix Web client installed on your computer in order to access these resources. If you do not have the client or if you are unsure, you can download the appropriate client. You will be directed to a page that automatically determines your client needs. The client is appoximately 1.85MB in size.

List of resources that require the Citrix client.

CONNECTING THROUGH 3rd PARTY ISPs

Using the Library Proxy Server

Most of the online resources available we subscribe to are restricted to Internet (IP) addresses recognized as belonging to the Urbana campus. To make these databases and resources available to UIUC-affiliated remote users, the Library uses a proxy server system. You do not have to do anything special (configure browsers, etc.) to make this system work, but you must use the Library's website to access online resources. If you click on a link that requires access via the proxy server, you will be prompted for your NetID and password. Once that's verified, you'll get a link to begin using the database through the proxy server. Your connection will stay authorized until you either close your web browser or don't communicate with the proxy server for one hour.

More info on the proxy server is here. If you don't know your NetID or password, see CITES Account Services.

Using UIUCnet Virtual Private Networking (VPN)

In most cases, your NetID and password are all you need for remote access to library resources. However, you can also connect to library resources using the CITES Virtual Private Networking (VPN) client. When you use VPN on your off-campus computer, you'll be able to access electronic resources just as you would if you were on campus. For example, if you wanted to read an article from a journal that the library subscribes to, you could go directly to the publisher's site for the online journal rather than accessing it through the Library's website.

More information about the VPN client, and downloadable versions of the client for various operating systems, can be found on the CITES VPN page.

Please note that, if you're using the VPN client to connect to library resources, you may need to use the alternate library security profile.

CONNECTING THROUGH UIUC DIALUP SERVICES

UIUCnet Dialup

UIUCnet Dialup is a free service available to all UIUC affiliates. However, the amount of time you can use UIUCnet Dialup is limited, and during peak periods of use you are likely to encounter busy signals. There are a set number of free UIUCnet Dialup modems, and this number will not be increased if the number of users increases.

Time limits, storing unused time, and purchasing additional time

Most UIUCnet Dialup users receive 20 free hours per week; any unused hours go into a bank that can store up to 40 hours per user. You can also purchase additional time ($.30 per hour) by signing up here.

Checking amount of unused hours

You can securely check the amount of unused hours on this CITES website. At this time, the Hours server cannot adjust for the time you've spent online during the current session, if any. In addition to showing how many hours you currently have in your account, it will also note whether you are signed up to be billed for extra hours or are a subscriber to the Premier service.

For information on configuring your system to communicate with UIUCnet Dialup, please check the Dialup Access page by CITES.

UIUCnet Premier

UIUCnet Premier is a fee-based dialup service which provides subscribers 25 hours per week, with the ability to save up to 50 hours in your "time bank". Additional hours are automatically billed at $.30 per hour. The number of UIUCnet Premier dialup lines is kept proportional to the number of subscribers. Premier uses the same login sequence as the free UIUCnet Dialup service. You only need to change the phone number dialed to 239-7252. There is an initial signup fee of $12 plus monthly fee of $5. All fees are billed through University account, SAR, or GAR. (Note: Charging to a departmental account requires submitting a TSO). To subscribe, please click here.

For information on configuring your system to communicate with UIUCnet Premier, please check the Dialup Access page by CITES.

UIUC 800 Number Dialup Access

The primary purpose of the UIUC 800 number service is to provide UIUC affiliates with an inexpensive way to access the CITES modem pools from anywhere in the country. UIUC 800 number access allows you to connect to both the UIUCnet Premier modems and the UIUCnet Dialup modems. The 800 number costs $.15 per minute when calling to UIUCnet Premier or Dialup modems.

The CITES business office provides you with a personal access number (sent either through physical mail or to an @uiuc.edu email address). It is used with the 800 number to charge your personal account for the time spent on the UIUC 800 number line.

Click here to sign up. If you want to have a university account billed for 800 number charges, please ask your departmental telecommunications coordinator to submit a TSO with the following information:

  1. The service requested (800 Terminal Server Access)
  2. The CFOP or CFOPAL account number to be billed
  3. Your NetID

To use UIUC 800 number access, you have to set up the regular dialup configuration (either UIUCnet Dialup or Premier) first. This allows you to change back and forth from your usual location to a travel location with a few clicks. Please consult the following pages (by CITES) to add UIUC 800 number configuration to your regular dialup configuration.