# The server control panel

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

The **control panel** is where you look after your school server: whether it is running, how staff connect, backups, the network, updates and your subscription. It is separate from Academium SMS itself, which your staff use.

## Opening it

| | Windows | Linux |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Where** | The Academium SMS Server window on the server computer | A web browser, on any computer on the school network |
| **How** | Open **Academium SMS Server** on the server computer | Go to the address shown when the server was installed, such as `http://192.168.1.20:…` |
| **Sign-in** | None. Whoever can use the server computer can use the panel, so keep it locked. | The panel's own username and password (first time: **admin** / **admin**, change it straight away). Optional two-factor. See [Linux control panel security and tools](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-linux-control-panel-security-and-tools.md). |

## The tabs

| Tab | Windows | Linux | What it is for |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Overview** | ✓ | ✓ | Status, connection details, services, backup and start-up preferences |
| **Devices** | ✓ | ✓ | Computers using Academium with your school |
| **Portal** | ✓ | ✓ | Your plan, syncing with the online portal, renewal, admin password, factory reset |
| **Monitor** | ✓ | ✓ | How hard the server is working, and the health of its drive |
| **Network** | ✓ | ✓ | Network connections, handing out addresses, and the school's clock |
| **Backup** | ✓ | ✓ | Backup schedule, location, cloud backup and restoring |
| **Logs** | ✓ | ✓ | Technical records, for Academium support |
| **System** | ✓ | ✓ | Updates, maintenance and version details |
| **Settings** | — | ✓ | The panel's sign-in, two-factor, and support tools |
| **Terminal** | — | ✓ | Command-line access, for whoever looks after the computer |

## The status lights

Four lights show which of the server's services are running:

| Light | Means |
| --- | --- |
| **Database** | Where your school's records are kept |
| **Application** | Academium SMS itself, which staff connect to |
| **Time** | The school's time server, if it is on |
| **DHCP** | The address service for schools without a router, if it is on |

**Database** and **Application** must both be on for staff to work. See [Network and time settings](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-network-and-time.md) for Time and DHCP.

## Starting, stopping and restarting

Use **Stop** and **Restart** at the top. While it is stopped, staff on the Client Edition and in web browsers cannot use Academium.

On Linux, the **power** button also lets you **Restart host server** (everyone is disconnected for a minute or two) or **Shut down host server** (it stays off until someone switches the machine on in person).

## The Overview tab

- **Connection channels**: the download page for the Client and Individual editions, and the address for web browsers. **Open on a phone** shows a code to scan: at the top of the panel on Windows, and in the sidebar on Linux. See [Connecting computers to your school server](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-connecting-computers-to-the-server.md).
- **Resources**: a summary of memory, disk, processor and connected computers. **Details →** opens the Monitor tab.
- **Services**: the time server and DHCP, with a **Restart** button.
- **Backup**: whether automatic backup is on, and when it last ran. **Manage →** opens the Backup tab.
- **Preferences**: start-up options and the panel's theme. See [Running the server day to day](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-running-the-server-day-to-day.md).

Messages about anything that needs attention appear at the top, each with a button to deal with it. **Dismiss** hides one you have read.

## The Devices tab

Lists every computer that has enrolled with your school, with any that are barred. To rename, lock, wipe or bar someone from a computer, use **Devices & Access** in Academium SMS. See [Devices and access](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-sms/article/sms-devices-and-access.md).

## In a demo

If the server is running the demo school, the Overview tab has an **End demo** option, and Portal actions are unavailable until you set up your own school.

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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