databases restricted by ip address

[SHERYL DWINELL]

At Marquette we have databases that are limited to our users and are 
restricted by IP. All the links to our databases are on 2 pages (one an 
alpha list, the other by subject). The links go to a CGI script that 
looks for the remote host to verify if they're coming from on campus. If 
they aren't, the script opens a file of passwords that we set up. Patrons 
come into the library and sign up for a password. This was the easiest 
way we could find to address the problem of patrons wanting to access 
databases from home. Our university doesn't offer PPP acounts, either.  We 
also have set up a file of IPs at a satellite campus that is called up from 
that same CGI script. If their IP address is found they connect to the 
database.  So, essentially, our solution has been with CGI scripts. They 
were simple to write. The only cumbersome part is having patrons come 
into the library to set up their pssword (we want to see their ID). No 
one's complained yet.

If you want more details, let me know.

If you want to check out our databases pages:
http://www.mu.edu/library/databases

Sheryl