Connecting FAQ

ACCESS

Can I access UCI’s licensed online library resources (databases, eBooks, journals, and periodicals) from anywhere, either OFF or ON campus?  

Yes!  Current UCI employees and student workers can access UCI’s licensed online library resources for personal, educational, non-commercial purposes:

What is the VPN, and why do I need it?  

VPN = Virtual Private Network.  When you are using a VPN connection, you appear to have a UCI IP address, as if you're using a computer on the UCI campus network.  This allows you to connect to resources that you would not be able to access otherwise from off campus.
 

Which version of the VPN should I use?  

There are three versions:  Desktop, Mobile, and Web.  

1.  Desktop (Software) VPN:  Use this on your personal computer!  It gives you the same experience as using a computer on campus.

2.  Mobile VPN:  Use this if you are on a mobile device.  The Mobile VPN APP is available for iOS, Android, and Chrome OS.

3.  Web VPN:  Avoid this!  Web VPN is clunky, and it does not work with all the resources that we license.  Use it only if you are on a computer that does not allow you to install software.  

How do I install and configure the VPN to access library resources?

Download the Cisco Secure Client VPN software.  (If UCI departmental IT staff loaded software onto your personal computer, then it might be installed already, so search for Cisco Secure Client.)   

The first time you launch the VPN software, use this configuration:  

1. AnyConnect VPN> enter vpn.uci.edu
2. Choose UCIFull in the 'Group' menu.  This 'Group' menu might be hidden behind the UCInetID Login.
3. Enter your UCInetID (use all lowercase letters) and your password.  

What is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and how do I set it up?

To login to the VPN, UCI now requires Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), basically a second verification in addition to your password.  With MFA you'll use your smartphone or a small token device that you carry with you.  In order to access the VPN, you will also need to set up MFA. 

• Please Visit the Office of Information Technology's Enrollment Page for MFA.  

How do I access an eBook?

Make sure you’re connected to the VPN.  eBooks from some publishers have a login screen.  If you see one, use your UCInetID and Password, NOT the guest login.  

TROUBLESHOOTING

I can't access a library resource.  Am I connected to UCI's network? 

You can determine whether or not you're on UCI's network (IP range) by visiting the Test My UCI Connection page. 

I'm on UCI's network, but I can't access or use a library resource.

1. Your VPN connection has to be configured to UCIFull to access library resources.  You can check this by visiting the Test My UCI Connection page. 
    
2. Even if you know the UCI Libraries license a database (e.g. Academic Search Complete, IBISWorld, etc.) do not use Google to access it.  Enter it through a UCI webpage.  Why?
   • Some databases have a special URL that is specific to UCI, i.e. not the URL from Google. 
   • Databases may promote content via Google that’s not part of our academic subscription.
      
3. Log into the VPN before opening a browser, or log into the VPN and restart a browser.  A website on an already-open browser might not recognize that you just joined a VPN.   
    
4. Your browser's cache or cookie settings can sometimes cause access/usage problems.  If you can access other library resources but not that one resource, try the following:
   • Visit the resource from a different browser, e.g. if you normally use Chrome, try Firefox.
   • Visit the resource from a browser set to incognito/private mode.
   • Clear your browser's cache.
      
5. If it has been a while since you logged into the VPN, close and restart the application.

 I logged into Canvas or my department's intranet, but the resource I want to access still asks for an ID/password.  

 I'm on UCI's network, but I can’t access X website or X report that I found in Google.  

OTHER

Can I give people who aren't UCI affiliates remote access to library resources?

• Please do not share your UCInetID and password! 
   
• You might be able to give them a Sponsored UCInetID from the Office of Information Technology (OIT), which manages UCInetIDs.  Please see OIT's Sponsored UCInetID page for a list of circumstances under which Sponsored UCInetIDs are granted.  An active UCInetID and password is required to remotely access the UCI Libraries' licensed online resources. 
  
  Only UCI faculty, or management-level staff members, or their designees may sponsor someone.  The UCI Libraries cannot give out sponsored UCInetIDs because that is outside of our jurisdiction.  Please contact your school/departmental IT office and OIT. 

What happens to my access when I am no longer a UCI employee?

• Please visit OIT's UCInetID support page for current relevant policies.  Scroll down and look under the headers titled Former Employees/Students/Retirees and UCInetID Deletion and Retention Policies.  

 I have more remote access questions.     

Please contact the computing office for your department, or contact the Office of Information Technology (OIT). OIT also offers a separate FAQ page for more VPN troubleshooting.