# Connecting computers to your school server

> Academium SMS Help › Your school server
> For: School Owner, School Admin · Server Edition
> Web page: https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-connecting-computers-to-the-server
> Last updated: 2026-10-06

Once your school server is running, staff can connect from other computers on the school network, and from phones and tablets through a web browser.

## Where to find the connection details

Open the server's control panel. The **Connection channels** card on the overview shows everything staff need.

### Client and Individual editions

The card shows a **Download page** address. Any computer on the school network can open it in a web browser to download the Client Edition and the Individual Edition straight from your server, without using the internet.

- **Client Edition** for shared computers. Several people stay signed in and switch with a PIN. It needs the server to be running.
- **Individual Edition** for one person's own computer. It works anywhere, even when the server is unavailable, and sends its changes back when the server can be reached again.

The Client Edition finds the server on the network by itself, so there is usually nothing to type.

### In a web browser

The card also shows the server's address for opening Academium in a browser:

- **Hostname** works by name on any device on the same network. Use this one first.
- **Direct IP** addresses are for devices where the name does not work. If there is more than one, each belongs to a different network connection on the server; use the one that matches the network the device is on.

Choose **Copy** next to an address to copy it.

### On a phone

Choose **Open on a phone** to show a code you can scan with a phone's camera. The phone opens Academium in its web browser, not the app.

> **Note:** In a web browser, staff sign in with their username and password. Personal sign-in codes only work in the Academium applications, because a code ties the account to one computer.

## Signing staff in

Each member of staff needs a staff record with sign-in details. See [Adding and managing staff](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-adding-staff.md). Then they follow [Your first sign-in](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-your-first-sign-in.md).

## Seeing which computers are connected

The control panel's **Devices** tab lists the computers using Academium with your school. To rename, lock, wipe or bar someone from a computer, use **Devices & Access** inside Academium SMS. See [Devices and access](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-devices-and-access.md).

## Common issues

**The Client Edition says "No servers found".** Check that:

- the server computer is on and its control panel shows the server as running;
- the computer is connected to the school network, not a phone hotspot or a different Wi-Fi;
- you wait for the scan to finish, then choose **Scan again**.

If it still finds nothing, choose **Connect manually** and type the **Direct IP** address from the control panel.

**A browser cannot open the hostname address.** Use the **Direct IP** address instead.

## Need a school network?

Staff computers can only reach the server over a school network. If your school does not have one, or connections are unreliable, contact **Academium Plus** or Academium support for a **free quote** to set one up.

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Need a server computer, a Windows licence, a school network or a computer lab? **Academium Plus**, from the same company as this product, supplies and sets them up, with a **free quote**: https://my.academium.com.ng/support