Optimizing Your Home Wi-Fi at KAUST

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Optimizing Your Home Wi-Fi at KAUST

Your home is furnished with the KAUST standard wired network service. If you’re planning to install your own wireless routers, KAUST IT recommends a few simple setup practices you should follow while installing and placing them.

A quick reminder about the new network setup

The network at your residential unit is separated from the academic and business campus network, and here’s what it means to you while accessing content:

You can browse internet resources and access publicly available KAUST websites like the Portal and The Lens from your home network.
If you need to access internal academic or business systems (like lab servers or internal-only web tools) from your home, you’ll need to connect to the KAUST VPN.

Need VPN access?
Read: I Want to Access KAUST VPN
Connect: https://vpn.kaust.edu.sa

Need help with your router setup?
Tips to Improve Your Router Performance

General Wi-Fi Router Placement Tips

Place the wireless routers in areas that are used most often (e.g., family/living rooms).
Keep the routers away from large obstructions such as walls, closets, or cabinets.
Set the router on a flat surface such as a table or shelf, not on the floor.
Avoid placing it near other electronics that might interfere, such as microwaves.

Setup Reminders

Use any available network port in your home to connect your router. Most rooms have at least one active wall network port, and some may have multiple. You only need to connect to one to get started.
Enable bridge mode on your router if it’s available. This helps your devices connect more smoothly to KAUST systems. (Check your router’s manual or reach out to IT if you need help.)
We recommend using a dual-band router (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) for better performance across different devices and activities. However, you're free to use any router that meets your needs.
Avoid using Wi-Fi extenders or mesh systems. These often create interference and may slow down your connection rather than improve it.
Keep your router updated with the latest software, and use a strong password with WPA2 or WPA3 security.

If you need help choosing the right port or setting up your router, contact the KAUST IT Service Desk.

Router Placement Guidance

If you're looking for more direction on where to place your routers, we've provided both visual layouts and written recommendations for each housing type across KAUST neighborhoods. The diagrams highlight the ideal placement zones, while the text offers practical setup advice based on the layout of your home.

To view the layout images, you’ll need to be part of the KAUST academic or business communities with an active KAUST account. All diagrams are securely hosted on SharePoint and require login to access.

Need More Than One Router?

Some homes at KAUST, especially larger or multi-story residences, may require more than one router to ensure full coverage and strong signal throughout the space. The suggested layouts and placement zones provided offer optimal coverage for that specific floor, but they may not reach every room effectively in larger homes.

If you're experiencing weak signal in certain areas, consider adding a second router or access point. For the best performance, connect additional routers using wired connections to one of the active KAUST network ports in your home. This helps maintain speed and stability for all home occupants.

For Students (and Other Members of the Community) Using KAUST WiFi+ in Harbor or Other Residential Neighborhoods

If you’re living in the Harbor apartments or other KAUST residential neighborhoods and using the KAUST WiFi+ service, your accommodation is already equipped with wireless routers. These have been installed in optimal locations to ensure strong, stable coverage throughout your home.

Please do not move, unplug, or reposition these KAUST provided and owned wireless routers, as doing so may negatively affect your Wi-Fi performance. For more information, FAQs, and support details, visit the KAUST WiFi+ information page.

Garden/Island - Two-Bedroom House

Garden/Island – Two Bedroom House

Recommended Locations:

Ground Floor – Living Area
Upper Floor – Family Room

Install one router in the Living Area and another in Family Room or office for full-home coverage.

View Layout – Two-Bedroom House (KAUST Login Required)

Garden/Island - Three-Bedroom House

Garden/Island – Three Bedroom House

Recommended Locations:

Ground Floor – Family Living Area or Dining Room
Upper Floor – Family Area

Place a router in the dining room or family living area downstairs and a second in one the family area for reliable signal throughout the house.

View Layout – Three-Bedroom House (KAUST Login Required)

Garden/Island - Four-Bedroom House

Garden/Island – Four Bedroom House

Recommended Locations:

Ground Floor – Family Living Area or Dining Room
Upper Floor – Master Bedroom or Other Bedroom(s)

In larger homes like this, place one router on the ground floor and another upstairs in a bedroom to ensure strong coverage on both floors. As these homes are larger than most KAUST homes and may require more than two routers for complete coverage. At minimum, place one router on each floor as shown in the layout. For homes with more occupants, devices, or distance between rooms, consider adding a third router in a separate area where signal may be weak.

View Layout – Four-Bedroom House (KAUST Login Required)

Garden/Island – One Bedroom Townhouse

Recommended Locations:

Ground Floor – Family Living Area or Dining
Upper Floor – Bedroom or Office

Place one router in the ground floor family living area and another in the upstairs bedroom or office to ensure full coverage across both levels.

View Layout – Garden/Island One-Bedroom Townhouse (KAUST Login Required)

Garden/Island – Two Bedroom Townhouse

Recommended Locations:

Ground Floor – Family Living Area or Dining Room
Upper Floor – Hallway

Place one router in the ground floor family living area or dining room and another upstairs in the hallway to maintain strong signal throughout the home.

View Layout – Garden/Island Two-Bedroom Townhouse (KAUST Login Required)

Garden/Island – Three Bedroom Townhouse

Recommended Locations:

Ground Floor – Dining Room or Family Living Area
Upper Floor – Bedroom or Hallway

Use one router in the dining room or family living area on the ground floor and another upstairs in a bedroom or the hallway to cover the full layout effectively.

View Layout – Garden/Island Three-Bedroom Townhouse (KAUST Login Required)

Harbor – One/Two Bedroom Apartment

Recommended Locations:

Lower Floor – Living Area, Kitchen, or Dining Room
Upper Floor – Living Area or Master Bedroom

To ensure strong coverage across both floors, place one router in the living area, kitchen, or dining room on the lower floor and a second in the upstairs living area or master bedroom.

View Layout – Harbor One/Two Bedroom Apartment (KAUST Login Required)

Harbor – Three Bedroom Apartment

Recommended Locations:

Lower Floor – Dining Area
Upper Floor – One of the Bedrooms

Place a router in the dining area on the lower level and another in an upstairs bedroom(s) to provide reliable coverage throughout the home.

View Layout – Harbor Three-Bedroom Apartment (KAUST Login Required)

Harbor – Four Bedroom Apartment

Recommended Locations:

Groundr Floor – Dining Room
Floor 1 – Bedroom(s)
Floor 2 – Bedroom(s)

This layout benefits from having one router per floor. Place one in the dining room for the lower floor and one on each of the upper floors in the bedroom(s) to ensure consistent signal throughout.

View Layout – Harbor Four-Bedroom Apartment (KAUST Login Required)

Oasis – Two Bedroom Apartment

Recommended Locations:

Ground Floor – Living Area or Dining Room
Upper Floor – One of the Bedrooms

For strong signal across both floors, place one router in the living or dining area downstairs and another in one of the upstairs bedrooms. This setup helps ensure reliable Wi-Fi throughout the apartment.

View Layout – Oasis Two-Bedroom Apartment (KAUST Login Required)

Palms – Three Bedroom House

Recommended Locations:

Ground Floor – Dining Room
Upper Floor – Family Room

For full-home coverage, place one router in the dining room downstairs and another upstairs in the family room. This setup ensures strong signal throughout the home.

View Layout – Palms Three-Bedroom House (KAUST Login Required)

Palms – Three Bedroom Flex House

Recommended Locations:

Ground Floor – Dining Room
Upper Floor – Bedroom or Living Area

Due to the size of the home, we recommend using one router on each floor. Place one in the dining room downstairs and a second upstairs in a bedroom or the living area to ensure reliable signal coverage.

View Layout – Palms Three-Bedroom Flex House (KAUST Login Required)

Executive Villa

Recommended Locations:

Ground Floor – Dining Room
Upper Floor – Bedroom(s)

Executive Villas are larger than most KAUST homes and may require more than two routers for complete coverage. At minimum, place one router on each floor as shown in the layout. For homes with more occupants, devices, or distance between rooms, consider adding a third router in a separate area where signal may be weak.

View Layout – Executive Villa (KAUST Login Required)

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