Proxy or other technologies

[Wilfred Drew]

I have been asked by our library director to investgate proxy servers or
other technologies for letting our off campus faculty and students access
our databases and other services in the same way they can from machines on
campus.  The main concern is allowing our distance learners access to our
subscription databases without requring us to give out passwords for each
database.  Ultimately this technology may be applied by all of the New York
State University Colleges of Technology libraries.  The goal is to make
remote machines appear as if they are on campus without requiring the user
to dial in to us.

I am looking for Windows based platform (either NT or 95/98).  What size
machine is needed for 12,000 to 15,000 users?  What software is needed? Any
particular software packages?  How much up keep and maintenance?  Can
password /userfiles from VAX or other local systems be used?

Please reply back to me and not to the list.


Bill Drew
drewwe at morrisville.edu