If the Millennium program launches, shows the black “text” screen with a few lines for less than a minute, then closes again, the problem may be that it’s being blocked by the local firewall.
Firewall software exists to control traffic between computers within an organization’s local area network and the vast and chaotic Internet. There are a variety of tools and strategies that together constitute a particular organization’s firewall. In order for staff Millennium clients to work, local area network and firewall or other security facilities must be configured to allow library workstations to interact with the central database server located in Orono.
Importance of Ports
Depending on the tasks being performed, staff may need to connect to the same server via web browser, Millennium Java-based client, or Windows-based client. Server processes that support these clients and specific tasks that can be accomplished with these clients are addressed by port number on the server. Local firewall configuration must not impede data traffic between library client machines behind the firewall and those ports on the central server in Orono that correspond to functions used by the local library.
In order to avoid network-based attacks, firewalls (particularly on wireless networks) are sometimes set to prohibit passage of any data packet coming from any but a small handful of “common” ports. Doing this for the entire library site will block libraries from using the Innovative Interfaces software underlying Minerva. As a compromise solution for locations with tight security, specific IPs (belonging to library staff computers) can be allowed greater access through the firewall.
Ports Essential to Millennium Functions
Here is a list of ports used by the Millennium server for functions enabled for Millennium. This list is a subset of the larger list that represents functions used by software modules not enabled for Millennium.
| Task / Service / Activity | Port Number |
|---|---|
| Primary port (without this, Millennium will not run) |
2000 |
| Telnet | 23 |
| Web OPAC (HTTP) | 80 for the primary database, 81+ for alternate databases |
| Cataloging Workstation for Windows | 4900, 4999, 5210 |
| Web Report Manager | 4448 |
| Patron Search Statistics Web Report | 4442 |
| Fund Management Web Report | 4443 |
| Vendor Performance Statistics Web Report | 4445 |
| Circulation Statistics Web Report | 4441 |
| Collection Web Reports | 4440 |
| Patron API | 4500 |
| OCLC Interactive | 5500 |
| For all releases | 4600 Millennium data server 4601+ Millennium Cataloging reference databases 4666 Millennium ILL data server 4999 Millennium search server 1030 Millennium Encryption port 1031 Database server (serves WebBridge, Millennium Statistics, and Distance Learning) |
Server IP addresses
When opening ports for Millennium it may be advisable to open those ports only for traffic coming to and from the individual server IP address.
For Minerva, the IP address is: minerva.maine.edu
For URSUS, the IP address is: ursus.maine.edu
Firewall Time-Outs
A library running Millennium should NOT have a timeout set on a firewall. If a site running Millennium has a timeout set on a firewall, users may be logged-out during sessions when the terminal is idle for a few minutes.
Cisco Pix Firewall Issue
There are special issues with regard to configuration of a Cisco Pix firewall in conjunction with use of Millennium client software. For details go to the very end of the Innovative CSDIRECT firewall FAQ. (Username and password required.)
More Info
Check out the CSDIRECT firewall FAQ.(Username and password required.)
