Help: Off Campus Access

How can I use Library restricted resources when I'm off campus or travelling?

Authentication:

Current members of the Cornell community should be able to use Library licensed electronic resources from anywhere. In order to use the Library's restricted electronic resources from off campus you must be able to authenticate yourself as a member of the Cornell community using CUWebLogin or SideCar. You will be prompted to enter your NetID and password to gain access to restricted resources.

Connecting while travelling:

If you plan to use Library resources while traveling, you should consider installing software to connect to Cornell via VPN (Virtual Private Network). Many universities, businesses, hotels, and airports have set up firewalls to block potentially harmful network traffic. These firewalls may also block your access to Library resources, however most firewalls will allow VPN traffic.

Be sure to install and test the VPN software before you travel in case you need help with it. Once you have installed the software and have used it to connect to the Cornell campus, simply launch your Web browser and connect to the Library's resources as you normally would from off campus.

If you're behind a firewall but cannot use the VPN (e.g. you are unable to install it on the computer you are using or unable to get it to run properly), you will need to ask the network administrator to consider opening up specific ports in the firewall.

More information about the VPN can be found at http://www.cit.cornell.edu/services/vpn/.

Technical Issues for connecting off campus:

SideCar:
You can put a copy of SideCar on your remote computer and use it as the mode of authentication, however SideCar will be phased out during spring 2008. See CIT's website for more information.

Please note: In certain networking situations SideCar may not work and you will be prompted to use CUWebLogin.

CUWebLogin:

• You must completely close out SideCar to use CUWebLogin.
• It is possible you may not be able to access electronic resources from behind a corporate firewall because certain ports must be unblocked for CUWebLogin to work. In this case you will need to ask the network administrator to consider opening up these ports in the firewall.
• Visit the CUWebLogin page for more information about how it works.

Please Note: The electronic collections available to the current Cornell community vary between Cornell campuses, especially between the Ithaca and Geneva and the Weill Cornell Medical College. The collections overlap extensively, but some specialized resources are only available at certain locations or to users registered with specific programs. If you are unable to find what you need or need assistance please contact a librarian. CU Medical College personnel with a dual appointment to the CU Ithaca Campus should contact cchelp@postoffice.mannlib.cornell.edu for help.

If you are unable to connect to restricted Library resources, report the problem by choosing the "Report a Problem Connecting" link at the bottom of any library page.