James Madison University
Libraries and Educational Technologies

A DSL or other high-bandwidth connection is recommended for this option.  If you are a dial-up networking user, the library proxy server will likely prove to be a quicker option. The VPN software also will allow your computer access to the JMU wireless network if you bring your computer on-campus. 

1. Go to http://www.jmu.edu/computing/desktop/remoteaccess/index.shtml
2. Download the "VPN Client" for either Windows or Mac.
3. Install the VPN Client according to the "Instructions."
4. After the installation, you should have a new item on your Start menu, "Cisco Systems VPN Client." Select the VPN Client
5. From within the VPN Client, choose "JMU Off-Campus Remote Access" then click the Connect button -- you should be prompted for your JMU eID and password.

After this, you should be able to go to the library web site and use any of the research databases.   NOTE: JMU Libraries does not provide technical support for the VPN Client.  The VPN Client is supported by the JMU Helpdesk, 568-3555. 

If you don't have the right version of Windows or Mac OS; or you cannot install software on the computer you want to use; or if the VPN just does not seem like a good option for you, you can make a one-time change to your web browser preferences that will also serve to authenticate you from off-campus. After changing your web browser preferences, you use the Internet like normal, but when you try to get to a subscription site, you will get a grey pop-up box from your web browser into which you need to put your eID and password.

This method is supported by JMU Libraries & Educational Technologies. Please e-mail faganjc@jmu.edu if you have trouble using the below method.

Which web browser would you like to set up for off campus access?

• Internet Explorer (PC only)
• Internet Explorer, Dial Up Networking Users (PC only)
• Firefox (PC and Mac)
• Netscape (PC and Mac)
• Mozilla (PC and Mac)
  

Configuration Instructions

Internet Explorer 5.x, 6.x or 7.x (MS Windows only; not an option for Macs)
(illustrated instructions for IE 5.x)
(illustrated instructions for IE 6.x)

1. Copy this URL using Edit, Copy (or CTRL C).  It is very important to get this URL exactly right, with no extra space at the end or beginning:
   http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac
2. On the IE menu bar, click Tools, then Internet Options.
3. In the Internet Options window, click the Connections tab at the top.
4. Click the LAN Settings button near the lower right corner.
5. In the LAN Settings window, click the checkbox beside Use automatic configuration script.
6. Click in the Address textbox and paste the URL above (Edit, Paste, or CTRL V)
7. Click OK.  You should return to the Connections tab of the Internet Options window.
8. Click OK at the bottom of the Internet Options window.
9. Close the Internet Explorer window and reopen Internet Explorer
   

Internet Explorer 5.x, 6.x or 7.x for Dial-up Networking users (MS Windows only; not an option for Macs)
(illustrated instructions for IE 5.x)
(illustrated instructions for IE 6.x)

1. Copy this URL using Edit, Copy (or CTRL C).  It is very important to get this URL exactly right, with no extra space at the end or beginning:
   http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac
2. On the IE menu bar, click Tools, then Internet Options.
3. In the Internet Options window, click the Connections tab at the top.
4. Click the LAN Settings button near the lower right corner.
5. In the LAN Settings window, click the checkbox beside Use automatic configuration script.
6. Click in the Address textbox and paste the URL above (Edit, Paste, or CTRL V)
7. Click OK.  You should return to the Connections tab of the Internet Options window.
8. Click OK at the bottom of the Internet Options window.
9. Close the Internet Explorer window and reopen Internet Explorer
10. In the upper part of the Connections tab of the Internet Options window, click on your dial-up provider, found in the Dial Up Settings box or the Dial Up and Virtual Private Network Settings box.  If you are using a network connection and do not have a dial-up provider skip to Step 12.
11. Click on the Settings button.
12. Click the checkbox beside Use automatic configuration script.
13. Click in the Address textbox and type (or paste) the URL, http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac
14. Click OK on the Settings window.
    
    
    

Firefox 2.0.* (PC)  [download Firefox -- free!]

1. Copy this URL using Edit, Copy (or CTRL C).  It is very important to get this URL exactly right, with no extra space at the end or beginning:
   http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac
2. Open up Firefox.
3. Click on Tools, and select Options.
4. Click on the "Advanced" tab.
5. Click the "Network" tab
6. Click the Settings button.
7. Select Automatic proxy configuration URL, and paste the URL, http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac
8. Click OK on all windows.
9. Close all Firefox windows and restart Firefox.

Firefox (Macintosh)  [download Firefox -- free!]

1. Copy this URL using Edit, Copy.  It is very important to get this URL exactly right, with no extra space at the end or beginning:
   http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac
2. Open up Firefox.
3. Click on Firefox, and select Preferences.
4. Click on the "Advanced" tab.
5. Near the bottom of the window, click the Connection Settings button.
6. Select Automatic proxy configuration URL, and paste the URL, http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac
7. Click OK on all windows.
8. Close all Firefox windows and restart Firefox.
   
   

Netscape 4.x, 6.x or 7.x (MS Windows and Macs)
(illustrated instructions for Netscape 6.x)

1. Copy this URL using Edit, Copy.  It is very important to get this URL exactly right, with no extra space at the end or beginning:
   http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac
2. On the Navigator menu bar, select Edit, then Preferences. (In Netscape 7.2 for Mac, select Netscape then Preferences).
3. In the Preferences window, click the expand symbol to the left of the word Advanced in the left-hand column. 
4. Click the word Proxies.
5. In the main portion of the window, select the Automatic proxy configuration button.
6. Click in the text box that follows and paste the URL:  http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac
7. Click OK.
8. Close the Netscape window and reopen Netscape.
   
   

Netscape 9.x (MS Windows)

1. Copy this URL using Edit, Copy. It is very important to get this URL exactly right, with no extra space at the end or beginning: http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac
2. Click Tools
3. Click Options
4. Click Advanced (the gear)
5. Click the Network tab
6. Click the Settings button
7. Select Automatic proxy configuration URL, and paste the URL, http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac
8. Click OK on all windows.
9. Close all Netscape windows and restart Netscape.

Mozilla 1.x (MS Windows and Macs)

1. Copy this URL using Edit, Copy.  It is very important to get this URL exactly right, with no extra space at the end or beginning:
   http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac
2. On the Mozilla menu bar, select Edit, then Preferences.
3. In the Preferences window, click the expand symbol to the left of the word Advanced in the left-hand column. 
4. Click the word Proxies.
5. In the main portion of the window, select the Automatic proxy configuration button.
6. Click in the text box that follows and type (or paste) the URL:  http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac
7. Click OK.
8. Close the Mozilla window and reopen Mozilla.

Using Your Browser Once Automatic Configuration is Activated

The first time you click a link that accesses a restricted resource you will be presented with a login request from the JMU Proxy server. Enter your JMU eID and password.  This login will stay in effect until you close the browser window or shut down your computer. If you share your computer with others, it is important that you close your browser before leaving the computer, just as you do with email.

Final Notes on Using the Proxy Server

• You will not see any difference in using your browser when you click on most links.
• You will be able to access almost any resource listed on the JMU Libraries' database pages
• You may be prompted for your JMU user id and password at sites containing free content.  This is because the library pays for subscription content at those sites.  The Washington Post and ZDNet are two common examples. 
• If you are using a Mac, you should use either Netscape or Mozilla to connect to our electronic resources from off-campus.  Internet Explorer for Macs does not have the same options as Internet Explorer for PCs.  Safari should work but we have had difficulty with Safari not popping up the pop-up window.
• Off-campus users who would like to access the libraries' subscription resources through Blackboard must still set up their browser to use the proxy server.  Examples include links to full text articles within databases as well as links to databases for searching.  Even if you've already logged into Blackboard, you will still be prompted for your JMU electronic ID when connecting to a subscription resource.
• You can stop using the proxy server at any time by undoing the configuration steps and then closing and reopening your browser.  For most browsers, deleting the proxy address that you inserted during configuration is optional.
• A few of the databases may use some other form of verification.  Accessing them does not use the proxy server, but might generate a separate request for your JMU Electronic ID.
• If you are having problems connecting to JMU's subscription resources from off campus, visit our Troubleshooting Guide.