# Working with Endpoint Central MSP

## Table of contents

1. [Starting Endpoint Central MSP](#Starting-Desktop-Central)
2. [Launching Endpoint Central MSP client](#Launching-the-Desktop-Central-Client)
3. [Steps to perform after initial login](#Steps-to-Perform-after-Initial-Login)
4. [Stopping Endpoint Central MSP](#Stopping-Desktop-Central)

## Starting Endpoint Central MSP

The following are methods of starting Endpoint Central:

- Select **Start** -> **Programs** -> **ManageEngine Endpoint Central MSP** -> **Start Endpoint Central MSP**
- In the **notification area of the task bar** -> **Right click on** -> **ManageEngine Endpoint Central MSP icon** -> **Start Service**
- Run **services.msc** -> **Right click on** -> **ManageEngine Endpoint Central MSP Server** -> **Start**

On starting the Endpoint Central MSP, the client is automatically launched in the default browser.

The following processes are started along with the Endpoint Central MSP:

1. java.exe - Endpoint Central MSP Server
2. postgres.exe - Database Server
3. wrapper.exe - For system tray operations
4. MEDCCPUMonitor.exe - For troubleshooting purposes

When Endpoint Central MSP is started in Windows XP / Windows 2003 machines with firewall enabled, Windows will pop up security alerts asking whether to block or unblock the following programs as shown in the image below:

1. Java(TM) 2 Platform Standard Edition binary - Java.

You should **Unblock** these programs to start Endpoint Central MSP.

![Java Alert](https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/images/jre_alert.jpg)

**Fig: Java Alert**

## Launching the Endpoint Central MSP Client

To launch the Endpoint Central MSP client:

1. Open a web browser and type http://hostname:8040 in the address bar. Here the hostname refers to the DNS name of the machine where Endpoint Central MSP is running.
2. Specify the user name and password as **admin** in the respective fields and click **Login**.

## Steps to perform after initial login

When you login to Endpoint Central MSP for the first time, perform the following steps:

1. Define the [scope of management](https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuring_desktop_central/defining_scope_of_management.html) - Scope can be limited to a small set of computers or the whole domain.
2. [Define and apply configurations](https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/windows_remote_configurations.html) to either users or computers. The applied configurations will take effect during user logon for user configurations and during reboot for computer configurations.
3. [Setup Patch Management Module](https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/patch_management/patch_management.html)
4. [Setup Software Deployment Module](https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/configuring_desktop_central/software_deployment_setup.html)
5. [Setup Inventory Management](https://www.manageengine.com/desktop-management-msp/help/inventory/inventory_asset_management.html)

## Stopping Endpoint Central MSP

To stop Endpoint Central, select **Start -> Programs -> ManageEngine Endpoint Central MSP -> Stop Endpoint Central MSP**