What is a proxy server?

The MSU Libraries suscribe to electronic databases and full-text resources for the use of the currently enrolled students, faculty and staff of the university. Resource providers or vendors currently limit access to some of our Electronic databases through a method known as "IP (Internet Protocol) Restriction". This allows us to limit access to only authorized Users within our domain, meaning those users who have msu.edu as part of their Internet address. This process also enables us to enforce our license agreements with our resource providers effectively. It will mean that unauthenticated users will be denied access to some resource providers' sites.

The MSU Proxy Server basically forwards requests for web resources from authorized MSU users. The proxy server authenticates you with your Pilot e-mail account, and then serves as a "proxy" between your machine and the resource provider's site. Since the proxy machine is part of our "msu.edu" domain, the requested Electronic Resource or database provides access and allows the connection.

Remember a key component to the proxy server is that you must have an active Pilot e-mail account. Faculty, graduate students or students with only internal department e-mail accounts will not be able to access the proxy server with those addresses. Please review the information in the left-hand column on how to obtain and activate your Pilot account.