Logging in at IU

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Network ID

Your Network ID, consisting of a username and passphrase, is the key to your electronic identity at IU. New students and employees (as well as IU affiliates whose accounts are sponsored by an IU employee) will typically receive a Network ID and an ADS Domain account as their first computing accounts at IU. The Network ID and ADS Domain accounts allow you to access a variety of IT services. After you have received your Network ID, you can create other accounts for yourself (for example, accounts on specific computer systems or storage systems).

ADS authentication (Windows services)

Your ADS Domain account allows you to access a variety of Windows-based services at IU. New IU employees and students typically receive a Network ID and ADS Domain account as their first computing accounts. Some staff and students who have been at IU for a while may need to create an ADS Domain account.

Usernames

Your username is assigned automatically and consists of letters based on your last name, your first name, and possibly your middle name. Your email address consists of your username followed by the appropriate campus designation. Under certain conditions, you may change your username.

Guest accounts

Guest accounts allow you access to a limited set of IT services if you are not formally affiliated with IU and are not eligible for a sponsored account. (In addition to the UITS Guest account described here, some IU units may offer their own guest accounts to provide access to their services. For more information, contact the unit you are interested in accessing.)

Network Access accounts

At IUB and IUPUI, you can get temporary access to the IU wireless network by obtaining a Network Access account. UITS provides this account for IU visitors who need to access the Internet with their personal computers while on campus.

Obtaining a Network Access account allows you to make a wireless connection with your computer to browse the web, read your email, and download and upload files. It does not provide access to the computers or printers in the Student Technology Centers (STCs), the Residential Technology Centers (RTCs), or the IU libraries, nor does it allow you to connect to any other IU system or service.

Network Access account basics

Central Authentication Service (CAS)

CAS is a login service that allows you to access multiple passphrase-protected web-based systems at IU.

Remote access: Modem pools

You can use your Network ID username and passphrase to access the IU dial-up modem pools. For more information, see The IUB and IUPUI modem pools.

Remote access and wireless connections: Virtual private network (VPN)

Note: Before you can access the Indiana University network with your wireless computer, you must register your computer's MAC address. For instructions, see Registering your computer on the IU network.

You can use the IU VPN for wireless or remote access to the IU network. If you're connected to an off-campus network (for example, using a non-IU Internet service provider), the VPN allows you to authenticate and act as part of the IU network. This allows you to access IU resources (for example, library databases) as if you were on campus. When you use the IU wireless network on campus, the VPN provides added security and full access to IU resources. For more information and set-up instructions, see the Internet connections: VPN section.

In most cases, you can access the VPN on your home campus wirelessly or remotely by using your ADS Domain account. In general, new students and employees receive an ADS Domain account automatically. Once you have configured your computer to make a VPN connection at either IUB or IUPUI, you can use the VPN at either campus without any changes to your setup.