Common Errors
There are three common errors you might see while using the Boston University proxy servers:
Unauthorized use of a proxy server
No permission to access a Web site
Web site requires a login and password
If your error is not among the previous examples, perhaps these tips and tricks can possibly help:
Also you can...
Try another method of authenticating with the University:
VPN (instructions for downloading, installing, configuring, using)
"ipauth" (one-time proxy authentication good for the duration of your open browser)
Unauthorized use of a proxy server
The most common reason for this type of error is that you are trying to use the wrong proxy server. There are currently three proxy servers at Boston University, and you are authorized to use only one of them. (Each department is assigned a single proxy server to use.) It is important that you use the correct server; otherwise, you will get an error similar to the one shown below.To fix this problem you first need to determine which proxy server is the correct one to use. You will then need to configure your browser to load the correct proxy configuration file for that particular server. See Browser Configuration for information on how to choose the correct proxy server and how to set up your browser.
If you have tried all three proxy servers and you still get this particular error, it means that either your department does not yet have proxy server access (see Why doesn't my department have proxy server access? ) or you are not affiliated with a Boston University department or college (see Boston University Directory and look yourself up).
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No permission to access a Web site
If you see this type of error, you have incorrectly configured your browser. Boston University proxy servers should only be used to access university- licensed Web sites. Each proxy server has a specific list of sites it proxies. If you configure your browser to always use one of Boston University proxy servers for all your Web browsing, you can get an error similar to the one shown below.To fix this problem you need to configure your browser to use the automatic proxy configuration file that has been set up for your specific proxy server. This proxy configuration file will force your browser to only use the proxy server for sites that are on the proxy's list of licensed Web sites. For all other Web sites your browser will go directly to the site.
See Browser Configuration for information on how to set up your browser. See Proxy Server Questions for information on how the proxy servers work and how they use the automatic proxy configuration files.
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Web site requires a login and password
If you see this type of error, there are two likely reasons. One is that there are too many simultaneous users on the database to which you are connecting. If you are able to access other library databases via your proxy connection, or if you have successfully accessed the database via proxy before, too many users is the most likely problem. Wait 15 minutes and try to connect again. If you continue to have problems, or if you have this problem with several databases, then it may mean that your browser is not using a proxy server to connect to the Web site but is instead connecting directly to the site....When Boston University licenses access to a Web site, certain university networks and usually the proxy servers on those networks are then allowed to connect to the Web site. In addition to network licenses, many Web sites also sell individual licenses. For individual licenses access is provided via usernames and passwords.
So, when you get an error similar to the one shown below, this usually means the Web site does not recognize the network you are on and therefore assumes you are using an individual license. When your browser is connecting directly to a Web site, the network your computer is on is the network the Web site sees. When your browser uses a proxy to connect to a Web site, the network the proxy server is on is the network the Web site sees.
See Proxy Server Questions for more information on how the proxy servers work, and see Browser Configuration for information on how to set up your browser.
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Tips and tricks
Try to access the Web site again. Sometimes network errors occur as the proxy server is trying to make a connection. This can happen especially if there is network congestion. Many sites will timeout the connection after a few seconds of inactivity.
Try to access the site at a later time
Try restarting your browser.
Try using a different browser.
Try reloading the proxy auto configuration script.
Try connecting to the same site from on campus to see if you are successful. Perhaps there is a problem with the site.
If all else fails send mail to proxy-admin@bu.edu and be as detailed as possible inluding the url of the site that is giving you problems, the proxy server you are using, and the specific error you are getting.
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