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Residential Network Update

 

 

We are implementing an important update to our network infrastructure, specifically the residential network service. This enhancement is designed to strengthen the security of KAUST’s academic, research, and business data. By doing so, we aim to protect KAUST’s systems while maintaining appropriate access to resources for users of the campus residential network.

 

Where will this change take place?

The update will apply to all Campus residential networks. If you reside in any University Campus residential neighborhood, your home network will be part of this change.

 

What is changing for you as a KAUST resident?

Starting April 20, 2025, the University’s network service will be separated from the Residential Network service in your homes. Security controls will also be introduced to better protect academic and business systems and data.

 

Here’s what to expect while using the network from your home:


home-network

 

For usual home activities:

(Residents of KAUST residential neighborhoods, including The Palms, Safaa Gardens, Safaa Harbor, Safaa Island, and Safaa Oasis.)

 

  • No changes will be applied.
  • Activities like connecting devices to your home network, browsing, streaming, using connected home devices, or accessing public University resources such as KAUST Portal and internal websites, will continue as usual.

campus-network

 

For academic or business-related activities at home:

(KAUST Students, Faculty, or Staff)

 

  • Some changes will apply.
  • Access to publicly available University resources, such as the KAUST Portal, TheLENS, etc. and internet-based services will remain unchanged.
  • However, access to internal academic or business-related resources, such as lab servers, instruments, workstations, and non-public KAUST websites, will require connecting to the KAUST VPN for authentication.

 


FAQs

 

What impact will this have on my connectivity?

KAUST students, faculty, employees, residents, dependents, and visitors will still be able to access the Internet and all official KAUST services that are published internally or externally by the University both in the offices and Campus Spine and at home with no change in their experience. Published services include websites, applications, and University digital resources.

As a result, any authorized individuals (students, faculty, and employees) who will need to access other University academic or business resources such as machines located in a University office or lab from their home’s residential network, will be required to connect to KAUST VPN to be authenticated before accessing it.

In addition, accessing any systems or applications currently residing in the KAUST Residential Neighborhoods will not accessible from the University Campus. These systems or applications will need to be brought onto the University Campus in order to be able to access them from the Campus network.

The main objective is to enhance the security of University digital resources.

There will be no impact on ability to access the Internet from the residential home network and KAUST published websites such as The LENS, Campus & Community, IT Website, and other websites will still be accessible from your home network, regardless of connectivity by wire or wirelessly to your home router. Your dependents, i.e. spouse, children, domestic help, or personal visitors, will be able to access the Internet and KAUST published websites without any issues.

To access University academic or business resources and systems, such as KAUST P-Drive, that are not accessible from your residential home network, you will need to use the KAUST VPN.

These devices and connections to them will require you to connect to the KAUST VPN to be authenticated prior to accessing them.

If you find that a resource, webpage, system, etc., is not accessible from the home network and you believe that you have a valid business or academic justification, we kindly request you to open a ticket with the IT Service Desk by calling 012-808-0910 or through VITA, the IT Chatbot.
If you have manually configured your DNS to use the old KAUST DNS addresses (10.254.1.51 and 10.254.1.52), please update your settings. You should either set your DNS to ‘Automatic’ or manually update it to the new KAUST DNS addresses (10.127.6.51 and 10.127.6.52).

Please note: Manually configuring DNS is not recommended. To ensure reliable connectivity, it is best to keep your DNS settings on ‘Automatic’.

You can refer to the below guides: