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Connecting SciFinder for Macintosh OS X to the Server at CAS

The SciFinder^® client software on your Macintosh computer communicates over the Internet with server computers at CAS. SciFinder can connect through your organization's network and firewall, through a dial-up ISP (Internet Service Provider), and through an always-on Internet connection such as cable or DSL. Refer to these computer and network requirements for more information.

Connecting SciFinder on your computer to the CAS servers can be easy or difficult, depending on the configuration of your organization's network and firewall. It is important to know that, although SciFinder for Macintosh uses the Internet, it does not use the World Wide Web's HTTP protocol. Even if you can surf the Web, SciFinder might not be able to connect to the server (and vice-versa).

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Common Connectivity Problems

1. SciFinder is unable to connect with the server at CAS. Please contact your Site Administrator. (2406). Site Administrator: SciFinder is unable to traverse your organization's firewall.
   
   
   
   

   • This error can be caused by incorrect Subnet Mask and/or Router settings in TCP/IP preferences, especially when using Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger). Other Internet functions, such as Web access and e-mail, may work fine while SciFinder Scholar is not able to connect.
     
   • If SciFinder has just been installed on your computer and it has never worked, SciFinder or your network probably must be configured to let the connection through. If you have a colleague who can use SciFinder, try copying his or her site.prf (Site Preferences) file into your SciFinder application macosx folder. (A site.prf file is not always needed; contact your organization's SciFinder Site Administrator for assistance.)
     
   • If you have recently successfully used SciFinder on the same computer, find out if a colleague is able to log in to SciFinder. If your colleague receives the same alert message, the problem is probably in your organization's network or firewall. Was the network or firewall changed? Contact your local SciFinder Site Administrator or information technology staff.
     
     If your colleague can use SciFinder but you cannot, try logging in to SciFinder from your colleague's computer. If you can log in from a different computer, then something about your computer or your computer's connection to your organization's network is different from your colleague's, and the difference prevents SciFinder from connecting to the server. Contact your organization's IT staff or your SciFinder Site Administrator. Your organization's firewall may be configured to only allow SciFinder use from a defined group of internal IP addresses. Your PC may need to be added to the permissions list.
     
   • It is possible but unlikely that the SciFinder Server at CAS is not working. If you have determined that the problem is not in your computer or network, contact the CAS Customer Care
     
     

2. SciFinder is unable to connect with the server at CAS. Please contact your Site Administrator. (2408) Site Administrator: SciFinder is unable to traverse your organization's firewall. Check the SOCKS settings in the site.prf file.
   
   

   
   
   

   This message means SciFinder tried to communicate with a SOCKS firewall or proxy server but was not successful.
   
   

   • Check that the SOCKS proxy server is available and working correctly.
     
   • If the SOCKS proxy server's name, address, or port has changed, update the Site Preferences (site.prf).
     
   • If there is a proxy server but it does not use the SOCKS protocol, update Site Preferences (site.prf) to disable SOCKS.
     

3. Your organization's firewall will not allow you to access SciFinder. Please contact your Site Administrator. (2410)
   
   

   
   
   SciFinder was able to communicate with your firewall, but you do not have permission to connect through the firewall to the SciFinder server. Your organization's firewall may be configured to only allow SciFinder use from a defined group of internal IP addresses. Your PC may need to be added to the permissions list. Contact your Site Administrator or IT help desk.
   
   

4. Login Failed: Attempt to log in outside service hours. Service Availability: Discontinued message when trying to log in.
   
   

    
   

   You are using an older version of SciFinder that is no longer supported. Contact your local SciFinder Site Administrator for information about upgrading SciFinder.
   

5. Unrecoverable network error when trying to log in.
   

   
   
   

   See #1 above. The same problem connecting to the server can cause different symptoms.
   

6. Unrecoverable network error or Galaxy exception intercepted message:failed to release a TCP Stream while using SciFinder.
   

   
   
   

   • If this error occurs after you logged-in but did not use SciFinder for awhile, the cause might be an inactivity timer in your organization's network. Some networks or firewalls disconnect SciFinder from the server if your computer and the server have not communicated in awhile. While you are logged-in to SciFinder, if the client has not communicated with the server in serveral minutes the SciFinder server asks SciFinder client on your computer if it is still running. If so, the server resets its "are you still there" clock.  If a very short inactivity timer is running on your company firewall it may disconnect the session.
     
   • If this error occurs while you are actively using SciFinder, contact the CAS Customer Care and provide as many details as you can.
     
     
7. Please re-enter your login information or choose Cancel when trying to log in.

   If you see this message, your computer is communicating with the server, but there is something wrong with your login ID or password. This is known as a login problem.

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For further assistance connecting SciFinder on your desktop to the SciFinder server at CAS, contact the CAS Customer Care.