# Choosing your school server computer

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

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](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-backing-up-and-restoring.md).

### Getting Windows for a Windows server

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

- [Download Windows 11](https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11)
- [Download Windows 10](https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10)

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](https://ubuntu.com/download/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](https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop): if you also want to use the server computer with a screen and mouse.

Choose the version marked **LTS** on the download page.

> **Note:** **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**:

- [Before you set up your school](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-before-you-set-up.md)
- [Setting up a school on a Windows server](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-setting-up-on-a-windows-server.md)
- [Setting up a school on a Linux server](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-setting-up-on-a-linux-server.md)
- [Connecting a server to an existing school](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-connecting-a-server-to-an-existing-school.md)

## Once it is running

1. Turn on auto-start. See [Running the server day to day](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-running-the-server-day-to-day.md).
2. Turn on automatic backups. See [Backing up and restoring school data](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-backing-up-and-restoring.md).
3. Connect your staff's computers. See [Connecting computers to your school server](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-connecting-computers-to-the-server.md).

## 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](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-surepass/article/sp-choosing-your-server-computer.md).

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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