TowsonU is Towson University's main computer network (specifically, a Windows "domain"). When your computer is logged into this domain, it can communicate more easily with many other computers located across the campus.

All Windows-based machines on the campus network can be set up to log onto the TowsonU network. There are also options available for Macintosh computers to take advantage of many of the benefits of the domain.

TowsonU provides you with a number of beneficial features:

• Single Username/Password for Multiple Services
  Many of the university's computing services now use the TowsonU username and password. For example, your Outlook e-mail, H: and O: drives, Towson Online Services (PeopleSoft), and access to timesheets and other applications on the Inside@Towson Intranet page, as well as various other services, all use your TowsonU username and password.
  
   
• Outlook E-mail and Shared Calendaring
  Faculty and staff logging into TowsonU can easily access their Exchange e-mail with Microsoft Outlook. Outlook provides easy-to-use e-mail, shared calendaring, public folders, reminders and a variety of other features.
  
   
• Flexible Logon
  You can log into the TowsonU network from any computer on campus and have access to your same personal e-mail, H: drive and O: drive. When you log off, your personal H: and O: drives disconnect and the next person who accesses the computer will not be able to see them. This allows a faculty or staff member to store data and files for secure access from anywhere on the network.
  
   
• Individual Network File Storage Space ("H" Drive)
  The H: drive is a place for safely storing computer files. Also known as the Home Directory, each faculty and staff member has their own unique H: drive. For Windows users, it will show up on your computer just like your C: drive. (Macintosh users should contact the Help Center to have their H: drive made Macintosh-accessible). Unlike your hard drive, files stored on the H: drive are backed up. They can be opened or read from any computer on campus and through Citrix. Your files are protected because they can only be accessed by using your TowsonU username and password.
  
   
• Shared Departmental Network File Storage Space ("O" Drive)
  The O: drive is a place for safely sharing computer files with other members of your department. Also known as the Organizational Directory, each department or college of the university has their own unique O: drive. For Windows users, it will show up on your computer just like your C: drive. (Macintosh users should contact the Help Center to have their O: drive made Macintosh-accessible). Unlike your hard drive, files stored on the O: drive are backed up. They can be opened or read from any computer on campus and through Citrix. The faculty and staff in your department can access any file you save to your O: drive, but student staff logging onto TowsonU can only access files saved to the "Student" folder.
  
   
• Software Installations and Upgrades
  Remote installs and updates of software using Microsoft's Systems Management Server (SMS) allows for hardware tracking, checking hardware requirements for installs and inventory, and more importantly, allows remote software installation. For example, McAfee AntiVirus SDAT files are automatically sent to and installed on your campus Windows computer with no involvement required on your part.
  
   
• Remote Control/Assistance
  OTS staff can more easily administer your Windows computer, remote control (only possible with your permission) and remotely diagnose/install software if it is part of the TowsonU domain. These benefits allow for more efficient support when resolving your computing issues.