# Setting up on a Linux server

> Academium Surepass Help › Setting up your school or centre
> For: Server Edition · Linux
> Web page: https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-surepass/article/sp-setting-up-on-a-linux-server
> Last updated: 2026-10-06

This guide sets up the **Surepass Server Edition** on an Ubuntu computer. Read [Before you set up](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-surepass/article/sp-before-you-set-up.md) 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).

- [Download Ubuntu Server](https://ubuntu.com/download/server)
- [Download Ubuntu Desktop](https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop)

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.

## 3. Link the server to your school or centre

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](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-surepass/article/sp-the-portal-tab.md).

## 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](https://helpcenter.academium.com.ng/academium-surepass/article/sp-connecting-computers-to-the-server.md).

## 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.

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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