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KAUST Residential and Campus Networks Update

13 April, 2025

In our previous announcement, we shared plans for an important update to our network infrastructure—specifically targeting the residential network service—to enhance the security of KAUST’s academic, research, and business data. This enhancement is aimed at safeguarding KAUST’s academic and business systems while ensuring users of the campus residential network continue to have appropriate access to necessary resources.

Starting April 20, 2025, the University’s Network Service will be separated from the Residential Network Service in your homes. Here's what you can expect while connecting to the network from your residence.

 

Where will this change take place?

This update will apply to the network infrastructure across KAUST’s residential neighborhoods, including The Palms, Safaa Gardens, Safaa Harbor, Safaa Island, and Safaa Oasis. If you reside in any of these neighborhoods, 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.

 

For usual home activities (KAUST residents and tenants of KAUST residential neighborhoods):

  • No changes in the experience are expected.
  • Activities like connecting devices to your home network, browsing, streaming, using connected home devices, or accessing public and internally published University resources and websites will continue to work as usual.
  • The performance and speed of your home network will not be impacted by this change.

For academic or business-related activities at home (KAUST Students, Faculty, or Staff):

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

Additional scenarios to expect as a KAUST resident:

  • If you’re on campus or in any non-residential community public space:
    • Your network connectivity experience will remain unchanged.
  • If you have personal visitors on campus:
    • They can continue using your home network or connect to the University’s Guest Wireless Network (KAUST-Guest and Uni-Fi Guest) where available.

How can you prepare for this change?

  • Please visit the IT Website for more details and FAQs.

 

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work towards a more secure and efficient network infrastructure for KAUST.

For further information or assistance, please contact the IT Service Desk on 910 or 012-8080-910, or visit our walk-in-support desk during business hours. You can also log a ticket using our chatbot VITA at it.kaust.edu.sa (or vita.kaust.edu.sa if you are off campus).

KAUST IT

it.kaust.edu.sa