IP-Based Access Service

The IP-Based Access service from Opars Ltd enables universities, libraries, and research institutions to provide seamless, password-free access to licensed digital collections on Opars. Authorised users on campus networks can sign in through an institutional portal, while maintaining the flexibility to use personal credentials when needed.

How It Works

Your institution’s users can access licensed collections through two convenient methods:

  • Institutional Sign-In: When accessing Opars from within your registered IP ranges, users are offered an institutional login option that grants immediate access to your licensed collections—no username or password required.
  • Personal Account Login: Users can always sign in with their individual Opars username (email) and password, whether on or off campus.

User Experience

The sign-in process is designed to be flexible and user-friendly:

  1. Users navigate to the sign-in page.
  2. If connecting from a registered institutional IP address, an institutional sign-in option is displayed prominently.
  3. Users can choose to proceed with institutional access or use their personal credentials.
  4. Switching between authentication methods is simple—users can sign out and select a different option at any time.

Note: Users are not automatically logged in on first visit. Authentication is always initiated from the sign-in page, giving users control over their preferred access method.

What Is IP-Based Authentication?

IP-Based Authentication validates user requests against your institution’s registered IP address ranges. When a match is detected, the system offers an institutional login pathway that provides direct access to licensed collections without requiring individual credentials for that session. This approach delivers secure, convenient access for the entire campus community.

Key Benefits

  • Frictionless access: No passwords required for on-campus users accessing via institutional authentication
  • Campus-wide coverage: Instant access for authorised students, academic staff, researchers, and support staff
  • Reduced administrative burden: Minimal overhead for librarians and IT teams
  • Perpetual access: Continued access to purchased collections in accordance with your licence agreement
  • Full compatibility: Works alongside personal accounts, EZproxy, and other library authentication systems
  • Off-campus flexibility: Users can still access resources remotely using personal accounts or proxy services

Ideal for Institutions Without Local Repositories

If your institution does not maintain a local e-book repository, IP-Based Access provides a complete, hosted solution. Your licensed collections are securely hosted on Opars with access controlled through your registered IP ranges. This eliminates the need for local hosting infrastructure, server maintenance, and technical overhead while delivering a seamless user experience.

Pricing Structure

IP-Based Access is available as a paid institutional service at £99 per calendar year per institution.

  • The annual fee covers configuration, ongoing maintenance, and access control for all registered IP ranges.
  • Pricing is per institution (not per IP range) where all addresses belong to the same organisation.
  • Renewal invoices are issued towards the end of the year for the following calendar year.
  • Services activated mid-year are charged the full annual fee of £99 (no pro-rata).

Loyalty Waiver: We value our active institutional partners. Institutions with a total spend exceeding £1,000 on digital content within a single calendar year will have the Annual Access Fee (£99) waived for the subsequent renewal year.

Service Terms and Trial Period

This service is provided “as is” with best-endeavours support. While we maintain high reliability standards, we cannot guarantee compatibility with every network configuration, firewall, proxy server, or identity management system. We strongly recommend validating compatibility during the free trial period.

14-Day Free Trial: We offer a “Try Before You Buy” policy. Contact us to configure your IP ranges and test the service for 14 days free of charge. Payment is only required if you choose to continue with the service after successful testing.

EZproxy Integration

For institutions using EZproxy for remote access management, add the following stanza to your EZproxy configuration file:

Title Opars - Persian eBooks
URL https://www.opars.com/?login
Host www.opars.com
Domain opars.com

Important: This configuration example is provided for guidance only. Your IT team may need to adjust settings based on your local EZproxy setup. Opars Ltd cannot guarantee compatibility with all EZproxy configurations.

Setup Process

Enabling IP-Based Access for your institution is straightforward:

  1. Request a trial: Contact us to discuss your requirements and initiate a 14-day trial.
  2. Provide IP ranges: Submit your official institutional IP address ranges (in CIDR notation or range format).
  3. Configuration: Our team configures your IP ranges in the system (typically completed within 1–2 working days).
  4. Testing: Validate access from your campus network during the trial period.
  5. Activation: Once satisfied, complete the payment to activate the service for the full year.

Important Terms and Conditions

  • Annual billing: The £99 fee is charged in full regardless of activation date within the calendar year.
  • Single institution use: Service access is limited to the purchasing institution; sharing with external organisations or third parties is strictly prohibited.
  • Access control: Institutions are responsible for ensuring only authorised members access the service through registered IP ranges.
  • Licence compliance: All access is subject to our standard Terms and Conditions and the Single Institutional Agreement.
  • IP range updates: Notify us promptly of any changes to your institutional IP ranges to maintain uninterrupted service.

Get Started Today

Ready to provide seamless access to your digital collections? Contact us to request your free 14-day trial or discuss your institution’s specific requirements. Our team will help you implement IP-Based Access smoothly and efficiently.

For technical questions or assistance with setup, please reach out via the contact page.