Computing & Information Services | Brown University

Guests requiring internet access at Brown for less than eight days can:

Brown University's Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows access to programs and services exclusive to users on the Brown on-campus network from off campus. A VPN connection provides a Brown IP (Internet Protocol) address at a remote location, providing the benefits of being on the Brown network.

Guests to Brown's campus can connect to the Brown-Guest wireless network without any prior account creation by Brown staff.  However, if you are hosting a conference or other event, we recommend creating Guest accounts to provide your visitors more bandwidth and services.

Brown-Secure is the recommended wireless network for anyone with a Brown username and password.  It is recommended over Brown_EZ as it provides for a better user experience and a higher level of security and protection of your data.

Brown_EZ is an open, unencrypted network intended for occasional, brief web browsing or for connection of devices which are not compatible with Brown-Secure. Brown_EZ requires a Brown username and password to connect.

The Active Directory domain, AD.Brown.edu, is the centralized Windows Directory Service for authentication of user, computer, and group objects. Active Directory is used primarily for the centralized Windows environments.

In order to promote and maintain the security of Brown data and its network infrastructure, firewalls have been strategically installed as part of the overall network architecture. Requests for the opening or closing firewall ports are reviewed, researched, and acted upon by the Information Security Group, who manages this service.

A variety of electronic and administrative services are made available to Brown Community members who require access to the services.  New Brown faculty, staff and students automatically receive some services (such as email and network access) when activating their account.

By logging into MyAccount, members of the Brown community can manage personal information that is displayed in the Brown directory, add a mobile phone number for emergency contact, change their password for Brown services, and more.

Each residence room has one wired port per resident which provides both campus and Internet access. Devices on the residence hall wired network must be registered via My Connection upon connecting for the first time.