Set up a Server Record for a Z39.50 or Other Search Server

Before you can do this setup, you need to obtain the IP address and logon information for the remote target server, and create the resource group. See Setting Up Organization Resource Groups.

To set up a new server record for a remote search target, and specify the resource group that can use the target:

Important:
If more than one resource group should be able to use the target, set up a separate server record for each group.

1. Select Administration > Explorer > System on the Polaris Shortcut Bar.
2. Select File > New > Server on the Administration Explorer menu bar. The New Server workform opens.

3. Specify a network name for this database. The network name can be the same as the display name (see step 4).

Important:
The network name for a remote Z39.50 server cannot contain the single quote character (apostrophe), which causes connection problems in PAC searches. For example, use Bowkers Books in Print instead of Bowker’s Books in Print.

Note:
The Browse button is used to locate servers on your own network. It does not apply to a server record for a remote resource.

4. In the Display Name box, type the name that you want to display in the Polaris user interface for this server.
5. Select File > Save.
6. From the Resource Group list, select the resource group that should have access to this database or resource.

Note:
Select None if you want every organization to have access (no resource group restriction).

7. (Optional) Type a non-public note (255 characters maximum) describing this database or resource.
8. Save the record.
9. Define the connection type for this server record:
   1. Click to display the Connections view if it is not already displayed.
   2. Click to display the Define Connection dialog box.
   3. Select Search Server in the Connection Type box.
   4. Type the connection name in the Connection Name box.
   5. Click Configure to display the Search Server Properties dialog box.
   6. On the Provider tabbed page, select Z39.50 or the search server provider, and click Next to go to the Connection tabbed page.
   7. On the Connection tabbed page, enter the following information:
   • Host name
   • Port
   • User name
   • Password

Note:
For Z39.50 targets that do not require log-in, select Anonymous Login instead of supplying your library’s user name and password for the resource.

10. Select Test Connection. A message indicates if the connection was successful.

Note:
To review all settings, select the All tab.

11. Select OK to save your settings and close the Search Server Properties dialog box. The Server workform displays the connection.

Important:
When a new database is added, both in-house and remote access are disabled by default. To set access to the database, see Remote Database Usage Settings for PowerPAC.

Related Information

• Make the remote target available for searching in the PAC - New search server targets are not automatically added to the PAC display. You must explicitly make them available for search selection. See Managing Federated Search Targets. To allow interlibrary loan requests from PAC, see Setting Up ILL Requests and Configure remote database usage settings.
• Remove the resource group from the server record - From the Resource Group list, select None, or select a different group. This change prevents organizations associated with the original resource group from accessing the resource.
• Resource group changes - When a new resource group is selected on the server workform and you save the server record, the Report of Unavailable Targets dialog box appears. The dialog box lists the database display name defined for PAC (the organization-level name or system-level name, if none is defined for the organization), the server display name, and the databases affected. If you continue to save the record, the database is removed from PAC display (if it has been selected for display) for every organization indicated in the report where there is no inheritance. The database may still be available for a parent organization. For more information about setting up the target display for PAC, Organizing Target Databases for PowerPAC Display.
• Set usage conditions for a resource
• Integrating Vital digital assets in PAC searches - See Searching Vital Digital Resources in PowerPAC - Overview .
• Make the remote target available for searching in the staff client - See Controlling Database Access in the Staff Client.
• Remote databases accessible to a specific branch - The Branch property sheet shows the number of accessible remote databases available to the branch in the staff client and in PAC. To open the property sheet, right-click the branch name in the Administration Explorer and select Properties, or click the Properties icon on the Branch workform.