Choosing your school server computer

The Server Edition turns one computer at your school into the home of your school's records. Everyone else connects to it over the school network.

Minimum requirements

Minimum Recommended
Operating system Windows: Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit
Linux: Ubuntu Server or Ubuntu Desktop, an LTS version		 The same
Memory (RAM) 8 GB 16 GB
Storage 256 GB Two drives: one for the system and Academium, one for local backups. A solid-state drive (SSD) for the system.

A computer below the minimum is not supported.

Why two drives? If backups are kept on the same drive as the system and that drive fails, you lose your school's records and their backups. With a second drive for backups, a failed system drive can be replaced and the school restored. See Backing up and restoring school data.

Getting Windows for a Windows server

Use the 64-bit version of Windows 11 or Windows 10, from Microsoft's official download pages:

Windows needs a valid licence (product key). Windows 11 is the better choice for a new server: Microsoft no longer gives Windows 10 free security updates.

Need a Windows licence? Academium Plus sells genuine Microsoft licences. Contact Academium Plus or Academium support.

Getting Ubuntu for a Linux server

Use an LTS (long-term support) version of Ubuntu. LTS versions receive security updates for years, which is what a school server needs.

  • Download Ubuntu Server: recommended for a computer used only as the school server. It has no desktop, and you manage Academium from another computer's web browser.
  • Download Ubuntu Desktop: if you also want to use the server computer with a screen and mouse.

Choose the version marked LTS on the download page.

Need a server computer? Academium Plus sells preconfigured servers: server computers that meet these requirements and come set up, ready for your school. Contact Academium Plus or Academium support.

Choosing the computer

Pick a computer that:

  • meets the requirements above;
  • can stay switched on during school hours (staff on the Client Edition cannot work while it is off);
  • is connected to the school network, ideally by cable;
  • is not used for everyday work by staff or students.

A computer with a solid-state drive (SSD) makes Academium noticeably faster. If the server is on an older hard drive, the control panel suggests upgrading.

Your school network

The server and your staff's computers need to be on the same school network. If your school does not have one yet, or it is unreliable, contact Academium Plus or Academium support for a free quote to set one up.

Setting it up

Creating your school, or connecting the server to a school that already exists, is covered step by step in Setting up a new school:

Once it is running

  1. Turn on auto-start. See Running the server day to day.
  2. Turn on automatic backups. See Backing up and restoring school data.
  3. Connect your staff's computers. See Connecting computers to your school server.

With Academium Surepass

The Academium Surepass server can run on its own computer or alongside SMS, and has the same requirements. When both run on your network, they link to each other by themselves. See Choosing your Surepass server computer.