IEEE Access Problems – Resolved

The IPv6 authentication issue with IEEE Xplore has been resolved. See below for details of the issue.
However, there is a chance a few users may still have access problems. If you cannot access IEEE on campus (on a networked computer or the protected wifi network).

  • Go to http://ipv6-test.com/ for a diagnostic check. Take a screencap of the page once it finishes the check.
  • Send the screencap to dkegel at ucsd dot edu or tmvogel at ucsd dot edu and let us know how you were trying to get to IEEE.
  • For a short-term workaround, install and use the AnyConnect VPN client when trying to get IEEE content on your desktop or laptop (lib.ucsd.edu/remoteservices – follow the instructions for your operating system). If you’re having the problem on the protected wifi, you may need to switch to the guest wifi while using VPN.


We have received reports from some users not being able to download IEEE Xplore articles or conference proceedings or standards while on campus. IEEE began authenticating IPv6 IP addresses earlier this month (June 6, 2016), resulting in problems accessing licensed IEEE Xplore online content. According to their customer support this is because “IPv6 authentication trumps all other authentication mechanisms.” This has not affected the entire campus network, just those computers with IPv6 addresses (vs the shorter IPv4 addresses you may be more familiar with). If you want to confirm this is the issue, go to http://ipv6-test.com/ for a diagnostic check. Under IPv6 connectivity, you should see Supported (in green) and an address of alphanumeric characters separated by colons; if not, then something else is affecting your access.    Or use this alternative diagnostic site: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/servlet/SnoopServlet .  If you still have problems accessing Xplore after using VPN, please contact Deborah Kegel (dkegel at ucsd dot edu).
CDL (California Digital Library) is currently working to fix this problem, but we don’t have an estimated time as yet.
For a short-term workaround, install and use the AnyConnect VPN client when trying to get IEEE content on your desktop or laptop (lib.ucsd.edu/remoteservices – follow the instructions for your operating system).

  • Update: One user reported that VPN did not fix the problem when using the UCSD-Protected wifi on his laptop, but was able to access the IEEE articles by using VPN and the UCSD-Guest wifi.
  • Update 2: Another user was able to switch off IPv6 in Windows Vista.

Posted On: July 1, 2016