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Accessing Resources from Home

Dial-In (PPP) | VPN | Passwords | Corporate Firewalls

The library's contracts with commercial information systems providers stipulate that we  restrict access to members of the USC and/or Marshall communities (currently enrolled students, faculty and staff). Most of these systems use your computer's TCP/IP number to validate your status, which means you must be using a USC network connection to get access to these resources. There are several ways to access these resources from home. For best results, go to the links below, print out the  instructions, read them, and then follow these instructions carefully.

Dial-in through the modem pool (PPP)

Dialing direct to campus using a modem is the simplest method. The Information Services Division provides dial-up access up to 56K using PPP (point-to-point protocol). There are local numbers throughout the Los Angeles area so that you do not need to make a long-distance call; numbers are available for the following area codes:  213, 310, 323, 562, 626, 661, 714, 805, 818, 909, and 949. 
Instructions for configuring your computer are available here.
A list of local dial-up numbers is available here.

 

VPN (Virtual Private Network) Software

If you are using your own internet service provider (ISP) for dial-up service or have DSL or Cable Internet access, you should use the IntraPort VPN (Virtual Private Network) software. This allows you to establish a USC connection through your own ISP. Directions for downloading and installing the VPN Client are available here. Follow the directions carefully. Please note that this software is subject to export controls and may not be taken to certain countries! More information is available when you begin to download the software. You may also go to The Bureau of Export Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Passwords 

There are several reasons that you may be prompted for a password when you try to access an information resource:

  • you are trying to access an information system that uses TCP/IP recognition while connecting from a non-USC machine (in this case, login using the options above),
  • the maximum number of users are already connected to the information system (in this case, try again later), or
  • the system requires a password (as is the case with OneSource Business Browser).

OneSource Business Browser uses passwords instead of TCP/IP numbers. Passwords are automatically generated for Marshall graduate students in degree-granting programs (MBA, EMBA, MBA-PM, IBEAR MBA, Ph.D.) and faculty. If you have any questions, please contact the professional staff.

Corporate Firewalls:

Corporate firewalls and corporate TCP/IP numbers will prevent you from accessing many information resources from your office. At work, you may use any of the generally available resources such as those from government agencies, but you will need to access the TCP/IP restricted resources from a USC machine.