Off-site access

This page provides information on how to access Oxford University-restricted resources (such as subscription databases and full text electronic journals, and past exam papers), when not connected to the Oxford network.

To access these restricted resources when not connected to the Oxford network you need to show that you are a valid Oxford University user - there are various ways of doing this:

1. OUCS Virtual Private Network (VPN) service

The OUCS Virtual Private Network (VPN) service allows off-campus access to all Oxford University-restricted resources via any ISP from anywhere in the world. It involves installing special software on your computer (available for Mac OSX, Windows, Linux, iPhone and some other systems) which makes your computer appear to the outside world as if it is connected to the Oxford network.

It is possible to download the VPN software when not connected directly via the Oxford network.

2. Oxford Single Sign On (SSO) account

Use "Sign On" on SOLO for remote access (without VPN) to all library e-resources: databases, electronic reference works, e-book and e-journal packages.

Alternatively, access to all journal subscriptions go via Oxford University e-Journals list. For similar access to subscription databases go via OXLIP+.

Some journals (eg. Elsevier/Science Direct) and other resources such as Web of Knowledge, offer off-campus access direct from their own websites with an Oxford University Single Sign On account (look for links to 'alternative login', or 'institutional login', or 'Shibboleth').

3. Eduroam

Eduroam is an international federation of academic institutions which allows its users to visit other organizations and use the same username and password as they would use at their home institution.

Oxford users need to use their OUCS Remote Access account username and password to access Eduroam when at another particiaplting institution, or when using the Oxford Eduroam wifi network.

NOTES

• The OUCS Dial-up service is no longer an option - this ceased on 31 July 2010.
• VPN is the only method to access SciFinder from off-site.
• Oxford Single Sign On/SSO is the same id/password used for other Oxford computer services, eg. Nexus email account.
• Options 1 (VPN) and 3 (Eduroam) above require an Oxford Remote Access account - to register and for more details see OUCS Remote Access Services.
• Oxford subscription resources are only available to members of Oxford University; Oxford SSO and remote access accounts will expire on the user's completion date (as printed on the University Card, or earlier if you leave before that date); see also Finishing computer use at Oxford.
• Bodleain Linraries Remote Access page

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Updated 29/2/2012. If you have any comments please contact: cheminfo@chem.ox.ac.uk