James Madison University
Libraries

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.

1. Go to http://www.jmu.edu/computing/desktop/remoteaccess/index.shtml. *If you have Windows 7 64 bit, click here for VPN instructions.
   • Download the "VPN Client" for either Windows or Mac.
   • Install the VPN Client following the instructions on the Computing website.
2. After installation:
   • Windows users, go to Start, All Programs, Cisco Systems VPN Client, and then select the VPN Client.
   • Mac users, select the VPN Client icon on your desktop.
3. From within the VPN Client, choose "JMU Off-Campus Remote Access" or “JMU Remote” then click the Connect button.
   
4. Enter your JMU eID and password when prompted.

Note: You need to open up and login with the VPN client software each time you want to access library resources. Windows users may want to delete the installation icon from the desktop and add a new desktop shortcut for the installed VPN Client.

After this, you should be able to go to the library web site and use any of our electronic journals, databases, music and video collections.  

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, 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 Amanda Hedrick 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)
• Firefox (PC and Mac)
• Safari (PC and Mac)
• Chrome (PC and Mac)
• iPad

Note: If you are using Mozilla or Netscape, please upgrade to Firefox 3.x or another browser listed here.

Configuration Instructions

Internet Explorer 7.x or 8.x (MS Windows only; not for Mac)
(illustrated instructions for IE 8.x)
[download IE8 -- free!]
Note: IE 8.x is recommended for use with Carrier Library websites.

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 Internet Explorer.
3. On the IE menu bar, click Tools, then Internet Options.
4. In the Internet Options window, click the Connections tab at the top.
5. Click the LAN Settings button near the lower right corner. **Dial-up users, click on the Settings button in the Dial-up and Virtual Private Network section.
6. In the LAN (or dial-up) Settings window, click the checkbox beside Use automatic configuration script.
7. Click in the Address textbox and paste the URL, http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac (Edit, Paste or Ctrl V).
8. Click OK.  You should return to the Connections tab of the Internet Options window.
9. Click OK at the bottom of the Internet Options window.
10. Close all Internet Explorer windows and restart Internet Explorer

IE 9 users: If you are using Internet Explorer 9, you will need to add the JMU Libraries' website to your list of trusted sites before you set up the proxy.  To do this:

1. Open Internet Explorer 9.
2. Click on the gears icon in the upper right corner of the browser window, then select Internet Options.
3. Click the Security tab at the top of the Internet Options window.
4. Click on the green Trusted Sites check mark, then click on the Sites button.
5. Uncheck "Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone" check box.
6. Click the Add button to add http://www.lib.jmu.edu and manually add https://www.lib.jmu.edu to your list of trusted sites, then click Close and then OK in the Internet Options window.
7. Follow the instructions above to configure the proxy.
   

Firefox 3.x (MS Windows)  [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 Firefox.
3. Click on Tools, and select Options.  Firefox 4 or 5 users: You will need to click on the orange "Firefox" button it the extreme upper left corner of the browser window.  Select Options from the menu, then click on Options again to arrive at the browser settings tabs.
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 (Edit, Paste or Ctrl V)
8. Click OK on all windows.
9. Close all Firefox windows and restart Firefox.

Firefox 3.x (Mac)  [download Firefox -- free!]

1. Copy this URL using Edit, Copy (or Command 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 Firefox.
3. Click on Firefox, and select Preferences.
4. Click on the Advanced tab.
5. Click on the Network tab.
6. Click on Settings.
7. Select Automatic proxy configuration URL at bottom of page, and paste the URL http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac (Edit, Paste or Command V).
8. Click OK.
9. Close all Firefox windows and restart Firefox.
   

Safari 5.x (MS Windows)  [download Safari -- 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 Safari.
3. On the Safari menu bar, click on the gear icon (Display menu of general Safari settings) in the upper right corner of the screen, and select Preferences.
4. Click on the Security button in the top menu bar.
5. Allow pop-up windows by unchecking Block pop-up windows in the Web Content section.
6. Select Always in the Accept Cookies section.
7. Next, click on the Advanced button in the top menu bar.
8. In the Proxies section, click on Change Settings.
9. Click the LAN Settings button near the lower right corner. **Dial-up users, click on the Settings button in the Dial-up and Virtual Private Network section.
10. In the LAN (or dial-up) Settings window, uncheck Automatically detect settings.
11. Click the checkbox beside Use automatic configuration script.
12. Click in the Address textbox and paste the URL http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac (Edit, Paste, or Command V).
13. Click OK.  You should return to the Connections tab of the Internet Options window.
14. Click OK at the bottom of the Internet Options window.
15. Close all Safari windows and restart Safari.

Safari 5.x (Mac)  [download Safari -- free!]

1. Copy this URL using Edit, Copy (or Command 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 Safari.
3. On the Safari menu bar, click on Safari, and select Preferences.
4. Click on the Advanced button in the top menu bar.
5. Click on Change Settings.  The Network pane of System Preferences will open.
6. Click the check box beside Automatic Proxy Configuration.
7. In the space provided to the right, paste in the url http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac (Edit, Paste, or Command V).
8. Click OK. (you are returned to previous window)
9. Click Apply.
10. Close all Safari windows and restart Safari.

Chrome 12.x (MS Windows)  [download Google Chrome -- free!]

1. Copy this URL using Edit, Copy (or Command 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 Chrome.
3. Click on the wrench icon to the extreme right of the address/search bar.
4. Select Options, then click on Under the Hood in the left hand column.
5. Look for the Network section half way down the page, then click the Change Proxy Settings button.
6. A new Internet Properties window will appear.  Click on the Connections tab in the Internet Properties window.
7. Click on the LAN Settings button.  **Dial-up users, click on the Settings button in the Dial-up and Virtual Private Network section.
8. In the LAN (or dial-up) Settings window, uncheck Automatically detect settings.
9. Click the checkbox beside Use automatic configuration script.
10. Click in the Address textbox and paste the URL http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac (Edit, Paste, or Command V).
11. Click OK.  You should return to the Connections tab.
12. Click OK at the bottom of the Internet Properties window.
13. Close all Chrome windows and restart Chrome.

Chrome 12.x (Mac)  [download Google Chrome -- free!]

1. Copy this URL using Edit, Copy (or Command 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 Chrome.
3. On the Chrome menu bar, click on Chrome, and select Preferences.
4. Click on the Under the Hood link in the left hand column on the page.
5. Look for the Network section half way down the page, then click the Change Proxy Settings button.
6. A new Select Protocol window will appear.  Choose Automatic Proxy Configuration.
7. A text box will appear with a Proxy Configuration File heading. Copy and paste this URL string into the text box: http://www.lib.jmu.edu/proxy/jmuproxy.pac
8. Click OK. The proxy window will close automatically.
9. Click Apply in the Network window and close this window.
10. Close all Chrome windows and restart Chrome.

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' research resources 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 FireFox or Safari to connect to our electronic resources from off-campus.  Internet Explorer for Macs is no longer supported.
• 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, please visit our Troubleshooting Guide.