Z39.50 is a network protocol or set of rules governing formats and procedures used by two computers so that they can interact with each other. It allows the searching of databases and retrieval of records from multiple systems without the user having detailed knowledge of how each system works. The current version (Version 3) of Z39.50 is also referred to as North American standard ANSI/NISO Z39.50-1995, or as the matching international standard ISO Z3950:1998.

Our Z39.50 implementation is compliant with much (but not all) of the Level 1 specification of the Bath Profile. Searching capability includes author name, title, subject, anywhere, publication year, and standard numbers such as ISSN and ISBN.

Below are the specifications for configuring your Z39.50 client software. Please note that access is also authenticated by the IP address assigned to your CSA Illumina account.

Host Specifications
Domain Name: Z3950.csa.com
Port Number: 210*
Include your CSA-assigned CSA Illumina username/password
*if your network is using a firewall, make sure the firewall has port 210 enabled.

Database Specifications
Record Type: SUTRS (Simple Unstructured Text Record Syntax)
Character Set: Latin 1

Bib-1 Attributes (fields for searching)

With most Z39.50 clients, only the Use attribute is mandatory. The Relation, Position, Structure, Truncation, and Completeness attributes will be automatically determined by our Z39.50 server if none are specified by the client. You may go to our complete list of attributes for CSA supported Bib-1 searches if you need to enter each search attribute separately.

Use Attribute: