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EZProxy Maintenance
EZproxy is a web proxy server used by libraries to give access from outside the library's computer network to restricted-access websites that authenticate users by IP address. This allows library patrons at home or elsewhere to log in through their library's EZproxy server and gain access to resources to which their library subscribes, such as bibliographic databases. Source EZProxy is used by the Five Colleges and is an OCLC Product.
Vendor documentation can be found at EZProxy Support
Basic Changes to Stanzas
Using a
FTP client (preferably WinSCP-Put in a SysHelp Ticket to have it installed on your machine) access the Proxy Server
Once logged in, navigate to the config.txt file
There are many old Config files and backups that are not used anymore. Make sure you select the correct one.
Before using WinSCP, set up a local file somewhere in your C Drive for the software to use when you start editing the actual text.
Drag the config.txt file from the right pane into the left pane (the local folder on your C Drive)
Double click on the file in the local folder to open the text editor. (For more advanced edits, use Notepad++-Put in a SysHelp Ticket to get it on your machine)
The text file has a specific structure. The beginning has administrative information for the Server, UMass IP Addresses, Blocked/Banned IPs, etc.
Different sections are commented out using a #
The Stanzas are roughly alphabetical, and they are hierarchical. Lines that are higher are given priority over lines that are lower.
Trials are always at the end of the file.
To add a new stanza,
Check OCLC or use Google to try and find one that someone else has created.
Save the Local copy
Go to the EZProxy Admin and login with the same credentials as the Server
Test the resource in Opera.
Sample Stanza configuration entry without javascript:
Sample configuration with javascript:
Maintaining the Configuration File (config.txt)
Suggested definitions for many resources may be found at
Database Setup
Where something is in the file matters. It is read top down.
When creating a resource configuration stanza, determine whether javascript is used.
Weekly Maintenance
Removing unused host log entries
-
In the section entitled Host Maintenance select the radio button for “Remove XXX hosts that have not been used in over 30 days
Select the Process button
Select the Administration link at the top of the page to go to the Admin page.
Select Restart Proxy from the Admin page menu.
If time permits, review message log (available via Admin page also) for problems. Restarting no longer yields syntax error messages for configuration file as it did in the past, you must look in the message.txt log file.
Upgrades
License Violation Incidents through proxy
Includes Files
Publishers provide config files for EZProxy which may be found at
OCLC or on publisher sites.
Create a .cfg or .txt file, depending upon publisher instructions, and FTP it to the EZProxy server. If you have trouble adding a .cfg extension, go to Windows explorer>Tools>Folder options>Deselect “Hide extensions for known file types.”
To edit and backup the config.txt file, FTP the file to R/S:Acquisitions/Electronic Resources/EZProxy. OCLC instructions for setting up the entry in the EZProxy config are here. FTP the corrected file back to the proxy server.
We use includes files for Oxford, Sage.