# Setting up a school on a Linux server

> Academium SMS Help › Setting up a new school
> For: School Owner, School Admin · Server Edition · Linux
> Web page: https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-setting-up-on-a-linux-server
> Last updated: 2026-10-06

On **Linux**, the Server Edition has no window of its own. You set it up and manage it from a **web browser** on any computer on the school network. The steps for creating your school are the same as on Windows.

## Before you start

The server computer needs **Ubuntu Server** or **Ubuntu Desktop**, an **LTS** version, with at least **8 GB** of memory (**16 GB** recommended) and **256 GB** of storage. Two drives are recommended: one for the system, one for local backups.

- [Download Ubuntu Server](https://ubuntu.com/download/server) (recommended for a dedicated server computer)
- [Download Ubuntu Desktop](https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop)

See [Choosing your school server computer](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-setting-up-the-school-server.md). Need a server computer, or a school network? **Academium Plus** sells **preconfigured servers** and sets up school networks. Contact Academium Plus or Academium support for a **free quote**.

## 1. Install the Server Edition

Install the Server Edition for Linux on the server computer. Ask whoever looks after your school's computers, or Academium support, if you need help with this step.

When installation finishes, it shows a line like:

> Academium SMS is installed but not yet configured. … Or manage it from any machine on this network: **http://192.168.1.20:…**

Write down that address. It opens the server's **control panel**.

## 2. Open the control panel

On any computer on the same network, open a web browser and go to the address. The control panel's sign-in page says **Linux Server Edition**.

## 3. Sign in to the control panel

The control panel has its **own** sign-in, separate from your school's Academium Account:

- The first time, sign in with username **admin** and password **admin**.
- The control panel keeps asking you to **set your own password** until you do. Do it straight away, and keep it safe.

If you turn on a **verification code** for the control panel, you also enter a code from your authenticator app each time. **Lost your device?** Enter one of your recovery codes, or, once the server is linked to your school, your Academium Account password.

## 4. Create your school

The control panel says **This server has not been set up yet. How would you like to start?**

- **Set Up a New School**: follow the same steps as on Windows: your account, the email code, about the school, your classes and how you assess each term. See [Setting up a school on a Windows server](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-setting-up-on-a-windows-server.md) for every step.
- **Log In**: connect this server to a school that already exists. See [Connecting a server to an existing school](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-connecting-a-server-to-an-existing-school.md).
- **Try a Demo**: explore a sample school first.

Your progress is saved as you go, so if the browser is closed or the server restarts mid-way, signing in to the control panel again resumes where you left off. If the school was registered but not finished on the server, the **Portal** tab shows **Setup did not finish** with a **Finish setup** button.

## Next steps

The rest works as it does on Windows:

- [Your first sign-in as the school owner](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-first-sign-in-as-the-owner.md)
- [Backing up and restoring school data](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-backing-up-and-restoring.md)
- [Connecting computers to your school server](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-connecting-computers-to-the-server.md)

## Common issues

**The address does not open.** Check that your computer is on the same network as the server, and that you typed the address exactly, including the number after the colon.

**I have forgotten the control panel password.** Use a recovery code if you set up a verification code, or contact Academium support.

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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