This article will help you configure your Cloud Streaming portal to utilize your OpenAthens proxy. Please note that the configuration discussed below does not alter the functionality of your proxy server in any way. These settings are intended only as a means of guiding off-campus users of your Cloud Streaming portal to the appropriate proxy for authentication.
Configuration of the OpenAthens Proxy Server
If you need assistance configuring your OpenAthens proxy server, we first recommend contacting the administrator for your OpenAthens proxy. If that person is unable to assist, we advise contacting the vendor for OpenAthens - EBSCO or OpenAthens support. These resources should be able to assist you with configuring the relevant settings on the proxy itself.
NOTE: The only domain that should travel over your proxy is digitalcampus.swankmp.net. All other swank and swankmp domains should pass to the users directly. For example, all of these domains should pass to the users directly -
wvlsmod.swankmp.net
cdn.swankidc.com
dc.swankmp.net
s3api.swankmp.net
If you encounter video playback errors when your proxy configuration is complete, please ensure that only digitalcampus.swankmp.net is travelling over your proxy.
IP Restrictions
Proxy Authentication settings for your Cloud Streaming portal are configured in the administrator area, under the IP Restrictions section. If you do not know how to access the administrator area for your Cloud Streaming portal, please contact your account manager or Digital Campus support for assistance.
Adding IP addresses to the allow list can only be done by Swank. If you need to modify the list please send a request to support@swankmp.zendesk.com. In the IP Restrictions area, be sure that the IP address for your OpenAthens proxy server has been whitelisted. Users will not be able to access your Cloud Streaming portal via your proxy if the proxy server's IP address is not whitelisted.
At the bottom of the IP Restrictions page you will find the Proxy Authentication area:
OpenAthens proxy users are advised to use the Proxy by Port option.
This Proxy Authentication feature was originally designed with EZ Proxy users in mind. However, OpenAthens proxies will work equally well when the "Proxy by Port" option is selected. In the Proxy Url field, enter the proxy prefix string for your server. We recommend using one of the following strings -
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/SCHOOLNAME.edu?url=
A possible variant on this string is -
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/libraries.SCHOOLNAME.edu?url=
https://proxy.openathens.net/login?entityID=https://idp.SCHOOLNAME.edu/openathens&qurl=
In each of the above examples, you would replace SCHOOLNAME.edu with your own institution's domain name. When you reach the testing phase of this configuration, if you should find that off-campus users are being presented with errors or a sub-optimal authentication experience, please try using an alternate example string.
Be sure to click the Save button at the bottom of the page after making any changes to these settings.
Testing your configuration
Once your Proxy Authentication settings are complete, be sure to test off-campus access to your Cloud Streaming portal. We recommend testing access from an off-campus location and advise using a Private Browsing or Incognito browser window for this test. If the test goes well, you should find yourself directed to your OpenAthens proxy for authentication. Once you successfully authenticate, you should arrive at your Cloud Streaming portal page (via your proxy). You can confirm that you are observing the site via your proxy by checking the address that appears in your browser's address bar. If the address in your browser's address bar includes your proxy prefix information, then your browser is utilizing your proxy. A complete test should include playing any available video. If video plays normally for 15-20 seconds, then your configuration is considered successful.
Common Proxy Issues
Video Playback Errors
Issue: Video playback errors such as a 699 or 626 Error
Resolution: Check your proxy server's settings and ensure that only digitalcampus.swankmp.net is passing over the proxy. All other swank and swankmp domains should pass to the users directly.
404 Error
Issue: Your browser presents a 404 Not Found error when you try to access your Cloud Streaming portal via your proxy.
Resolution: Try an alternate Proxy Url setting as seen in the examples above.
Page is Flashing/Looping
Issue: Your browser is stuck in an infinite re-direct loop.
Resolution: The IP Restrictions whitelist for your portal is incomplete or incorrect. Be sure your Cloud Streaming portal's IP Restrictions include your proxy server's IP address.
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