Setting up on a Linux server

This guide sets up the Surepass Server Edition on an Ubuntu computer. Read Before you set up first.

The Linux server does not need a screen once it is set up. You manage it from a management page that opens in a web browser on any computer on your school network.

Before you start

The server needs Ubuntu Server or Ubuntu Desktop, an LTS version, on a 64-bit computer, with at least 8 GB of memory (16 GB recommended) and 256 GB of storage (two drives recommended).

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

  1. On the Academium downloads page, choose Surepass, Server Edition and Linux.

  2. Download the .deb file, or copy the install command shown on the page.

  3. Open the .deb file on the server to install it, or run the install command.

  4. When the install finishes, run the setup it asks for:

    sudo academim-surepass setup

When setup finishes, it shows the address of the management page, for example http://192.168.1.20:8443, and its first sign-in details.

2. Sign in to the management page

  1. On any computer on the school network, open a web browser and go to the management page address.
  2. Sign in with the username and password shown at the end of setup.
  3. Change the sign-in straight away. Open Mgt account, enter a new username and password, and click Save changes. Until you do, anyone on your network who knows the first sign-in can manage the server.

These details are only for the management page. They are not your Academium account.

  1. Open the Portal tab. It says This server is not linked to a school yet.
  2. Enter the email and password of your school or centre administrator account, your Academium account.
  3. Click Link this server.
  4. If your account manages more than one branch, choose the branch this server is for.

This creates your school and administrator account on the server and starts Surepass. Your administrator account uses the same email and password.

If it says Setup did not finish, click Finish setup and enter your Academium password again. It does not touch anything already there.

4. Download the question bank

The Content Library in the Portal tab downloads your question bank. See The Portal tab.

5. Connect your other computers

The Overview tab shows the server's address and a Scan to connect code. Install the Client Edition on your lab and staff computers. See Connecting computers to the server.

Common problems

The management page does not open. Check that your computer is on the same network as the server and that you typed the address with :8443 at the end.

I forgot the management page password. If two-factor sign-in is on, your Academium password also works in place of a lost code. Otherwise contact Academium support.

Setup did not finish. Use Finish setup on the Portal tab. Contact support before using Factory Reset, which erases the school's data.