The MeLCat servers are behind a State of Michigan firewall. Access through the firewall to staff functions on the MeLCat servers is controlled by password and limited to authorized, known IP addresses.

DCB Libraries: IPs of workstations or servers that will need to connect to the data drop server (almost.mel.org) or the DCB server (dcb1.mel.org, dcb2.mel.org, or dcb3.mel.org) must be authorized.

Local III Libraries: The IP of the library's III server must be authorized.

NOTE: IP authorizations can take up to two weeks so it's best to submit any new IPs as soon as possible. Note that the firewall is managed by the State of Michigan's Department of Technology, Management & Budget and, as such, MeLCat staff have no control over the timeframe.


What is required for IP registration with MeLCat?


Types of IP Addresses

The IP address(es) presented when you connect to a MeLCat server must be static. Static IP addresses stay the same every time you log on. IP changes should happen infrequently (for example, when work is done on your network).

Please be sure to provide routable IP’s (also known as “external IP’s”) only. A routable (or external) IP is the IP address presented to the outside world regardless of how workstations/printers/etc. are addressed within your network. If providing an IP range for authorization, please indicate if the range includes workstations outside the library.

Note that the IPs submitted for MeLCat authorization can be the external (public) IP presented by a NAT router or individually-assigned external workstation IP addresses.

If you're unsure of your IP address(es), point your browser to http://www.whatismyip.com. If you do this from several workstations and they all return the same IP address, that is the routable/external IP. (In this environment, workstations in your local network are assigned individual nonroutable, internal IP addresses.)

The following IP address ranges are ALWAYS internal IPs and should not be submitted for MeLCat authorization:

        10.0.0.0 - 10.255.255.255
        172.16.0.0 - 172.31.255.255
        192.168.0.0 - 192.168.255.255

Note that DHCP does NOT present a problem for MeLCat authorization as long as the external IP(s) remain constant.

NOTE:  We are not able to accept IPs in CIDR notation 

Workstation IP Addresses to Report


Workstations at libraries using the DCB client need to be able to do four things: process day-to-day MeLCat requests, check books out to patrons, create reports, and send your bibliographic and patron data to MeLCat. In some situations, the same workstation may be used to do several of these functions. There are minimal Staff workstation requirements.

For security reasons, MeLCat must know the external IP addresses of the workstations where that work will be performed in order for access to the MeLCat servers to be authorized.

  • Day-to-day processing of MeLCat requests for your materials/receiving materials from other libraries: This is most frequently done by the person(s) handling interlibrary loan activity. (DCB)

  • Checking MeLCat materials out to your patrons: Please list the IP addresses of the workstations that will be used for this function. This is most frequently done at the circulation desk. (DCB)

  • Troubleshooting and creating reports: This is done using the Reports function and some administrative functions of the MeLCat software. The reports help you manage lending and borrowing in MeLCat. (DCB)

  • Uploading records to the MeLCat “data drop” server: This may be a staff workstation(s) or your local system server (if the required exporting and uploading activity can be scripted as an automated process). If uploading directly from your server, please also provide the IP address for a staff workstation that could be used, if needed. (ALMOST)


    Changes to IP Addresses


    **To report any addition or change in your library IP, please click here.

    It is essential that MeLCat staff be given a minimum 10-15 work days advance notice of any changes to the IP addresses provided. Changes to the IP addresses without notification will result in lack of access to the MeL servers. The end result will be that your patrons won't be able to place MeLCat requests and your staff won't be able to process MeLCat materials.

        If you change internet service providers (ISP), your IP will most likely change. ISP's own blocks of IP addresses and a change in ISP will mean your IP address is drawn from a different block. Be sure to acquire a static IP, as described in Types of IP Addresses

        If your ISP changed your IP address without notification, you may be able to request that it be changed back to the previous, authorized address.