- Have questions or need more help with the issues below? Contact us here
RSVPN: *The Official Word*
Posted on February 6, 2009 @12:06 pm by irobb
We have been fielding many RSVPN (one of two off-campus, CWL-authenticated connections to the Library’s eResources) emails at lib-ejhelp. You’ve been frustrated by RSVPN’s unstable performance (or non-performance). So have we. Here is the official word on the RSVPN state of affairs. Hope this helps to clarify things. And please, do continue to email us at lib-ejhelp@interchange.ubc.ca with WHATEVER eResource problems you encounter.
[The following is taken from the lib-all email Rue sent on 06Feb2009]
Over the past two months or so, we’ve been experiencing a series of acute and transient yet persistent problems with the RSVPN service, one of several remote access methods to our electronic resources. Because this affects our users, I wanted to provide you with some background on where we are with remote access to our online resources.
Methods of access to library electronic resources:
*Direct access via IP – service provided in conjunction with campus networking, UBC ITS
*Remote access via VPN (requires CWL) – service provided in conjunction with campus networking, UBC ITS
*Remote access via RSVPN (requires CWL) – service provided in conjunction with campus networking, UBC ITS
*Remote access via library proxy server (requires library barcode/pin and browser configuration) – service provided by Library IT
In most cases, access to our resources is controlled by IP address, the network address of the computer you’re using. For UBC networked computers, we utilize a range of known addresses that we share with our vendors to facilitate access and access is easy and fast for on-campus users. For remote users, or persons who are not on the UBC network, a number of possible access points have been developed, all of which have issues of their own. In the case of the health facilities, we have two specific problems – many users are on health authority networks which are separately maintained and configured and many users do not have the ability to obtain a UBC campus wide login account (CWL). Using the library’s proxy isn’t always a solution because many users work on locked down computers and can’t make the necessary configuration changes.
As the list above implies, the Library is part of the connection path that includes the campus network, campus ID management, and campus IT support. In the case of RSVPN, we have been relying on UBC ITS for the back-end hardware to support the service. Unfortunately, they’ve had a series of issues on their end, including dealing with hardware replacements, at a time that they are undergoing a top to bottom review and reorganization of services and priorities.
The good news is that they are making progress on several fronts, including moving ahead with updating the RSVPN service. The bad news is that such a large project will take months to complete. Their target date for full implementation is late summer. However, the Library will be an early adopter and tester and we’re hopeful to see improvements as soon as possible. UBC ITS also is making headway on improved identity management, which will provide users with easier and more secure authentication methods. The Library is also working with UBC ITS and the health authority IT departments to define a problem notification and escalation process for RSVPN.
Additionally, the library is moving to consolidate its proxy services under EZproxy, which will provide easier use (no browser configuration changes needed) and additional support options in that area. We are also in the final stages of hiring a new Systems Librarian with the working title of E-Access Librarian, who will be tasked with coordinating all aspects of electronic access to our resources, including remote access. One of the first jobs for this new hire will be to work with our various access methods and improve the service and information provided to our users.
We don’t like to see any of our users having access problems to our resources and we take any problems very seriously. Remember to report any access problems that might be subscription or resource related to lib-ejhelp@interchange.ubc.ca and any problems that might be technical or network related to the Library Help Desk, library.systems@ubc.ca. It’s sometimes hard to diagnose a problem, so don’t worry too much about where to send the problem. The two desks do coordinate on problem solving.
————————————————————
Renulfo (Rue) Ramirez
Associate University Librarian, Library Systems & Information Technology / Technical Services
University of British Columbia
rue.ramirez@ubc.ca
Journal Info: *New Tool*
Posted on February 6, 2009 @11:28 am by irobb
Ever wonder what a journal’s FRIDA level might be? What its ISI impact factor is? If there are “Open Access” alternatives to your favourite journals? Wonder no more! Journal Info reveals all this and more. Type in a journal title or Browse by Subject. Check it out.
“This service is provided by Lund University Libraries, Head Office with support from the National Library of Sweden”– says the site.
ebrary Reader: Avoid RSVPN
Posted on February 6, 2009 @11:11 am by irobb
Hope everyone has had a look at the ebrary ebooks and the new reader. For those connecting from off campus, RSVPN [see larger post above] is not an option at the moment. Both the QuickView and the ebrary Reader display a gray wall rather than text. Please use VPN (see the Connect from Home page).
No CommentsOvidSP: Access *UPDATE*
Posted on January 27, 2009 @3:58 pm by irobb
Ovid is now connecting from all machines that it should connect from now. Some hospital branches had problems as well, but word has come in that they are OK now [except for RSVPN issues, see above]. Direct as many positive thoughts as possible towards Ovid’s Texas server.
Previously…
Certain staff work stations at Woodward cannot access OvidSp databases. We are investigating. Ovid is investigating. There does not seem to be a work-around at the moment. Sorry for the inconvenience. Stay tuned.
ebrary Interface: *Final UPDATE*
Posted on January 15, 2009 @1:51 pm by irobb
The new ebrary Reader is now working in all our ebrary sites. Please visit: Canadian Publisher’s Collection, Canadian Public Policy or Canadian Health Research Collection from the Online Indexes & Databases page. And coming soon eDuke! (Duke University Press ebooks). Take a preview at eDuke. Enjoy.
Previously…
ebrary has a new interface… but all our links are down. Do NOT try Canadian Publisher’s Collection, Canadian Public Policy nor Canadian Health Research Collection (nor any ebook in the catalogue that links to ebrary -sigh-) until we have this sorted. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Previously…
ebrary is upgrading us to their new and improved (and it REALLY is) user interface. When the upgrade is complete, you really should take ebrary for a spin.
SFX Interuption: January 4th. Very Brief *UPDATE*
Posted on January 14, 2009 @1:32 pm by irobb
SFX is back. All looks OK.
Previously…
SFX (the eLink button, etc.) will be out for a brief moment tonight around 10:00… no more than 45 minutes or so, we’re told. This is not related to the other outage below.
eResources Interuptions: January 14th. *UPDATE*
Posted on January 14, 2009 @12:45 pm by irobb
We’re back. All looks OK.
Previously…
From 6 – 7 pm tonight, certain UBC eResource websites will not be available due to server maintenance. Any URL with http://toby.library.ubc.ca in it may go down. This includes the ejournal A-Z list and our database information pages. The eLink button should not be effected, linking directly from the OPAC (ex. MyiLibrary books) should be ok… in fact, most things should be accessible. Please email us at ej-help if you run into any problems.
UBC Catalogue & Related Services: Road Work *UPDATE*
Posted on January 7, 2009 @5:04 pm by irobb
UBC Catalogue & Voyager work has been 99% completed (a couple behind-the-scene issues to sort out). All should be working now.
Previously…
Here is the official word:”Library Catalogue Service Interruptions: Thurs, Jan 8 11:00PM – Mon, Jan 12. UBC Catalogue will undergo major maintenance updates starting on Thurs, Jan 9th at 11:00pm and ending on Mon, Jan 12th. Key services such as My Account, item renewal, ASRS request, DocDel, etc, will be unavailable during this time. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
SFX eLinking, the A-Z eJournal list and databases should not be affected (fingers crossed).
RSVPN & Some Journals: Server Unavailable Message *UPDATE*
Posted on January 6, 2009 @1:13 pm by irobb
EGADS!
Sadly, this problem seems a little deeper. RSVPN is not connecting into some databases/journals. This is proving tricky to solve. For those that can, please try the VPN connection (see link in message below). For those that can’t (some hospital sites, for example), our apologies. Do let us know at lib-ejhelp@interchange.ubc.ca if you encounter a problem. The more we hear, the better a feel we get for what’s working and what’s not. Stay tuned.
Previously…
Some off-campus users have run into a problem with the RSVPN. The eLink buttons are leading to a “Server is Temporarily Unavailable” message. We are investigating. If patrons run into this problem, advise them to use the VPN connection set up is here from the Library’s “Connect from Home” page.
AnthroSource Titles: Links **UPDATE**
Posted on January 6, 2009 @11:00 am by irobb
American Anthropologist and other AnthroSource links are now working in the ejournal A-Z list.
Previously…
AnthroSource (the site for journals the American Anthropological Association) has re-vamped their entire website. While it looks great, the links to the journals no longer work. You can go directly to the list of journals here, but hopefully our links in the A-Z ejournal list will be working soon. Stay tuned.
People
