====== Starting PBDispatch ======

**PBDispatch** is the one program you leave running. It accepts connections on every port you have switched on, starts a program for each caller, and shows you what is happening.

===== Start it =====

Run ''PBDispatch.exe'' from your install folder. A window opens with a dashboard of tiles.

{{ :v4:images:dispatch-dashboard.png?900 |The PBDispatch dashboard}}
//Figure 1. The PBDispatch dashboard.//

The dashboard shows:

  * how many callers are on and who they are;
  * the state of each service (Telnet, SSH, RLogin, FTP, Web, NNTP, BinkP and inter-BBS messaging), with its port;
  * activity over the last hour, system status and recent log lines;
  * quick actions for common jobs.

The toolbar above the tiles has **Layout presets** (Overview, Operator or Compact), **Edit layout** (drag and resize the tiles), **Reset layout** and a switch between dark and light.

===== Check that Telnet is listening =====

The log pane, and the Telnet line in the header, should say that PBDispatch is listening on Telnet, port 23 unless you changed it. If it reports //Unable to bind Telnet port//, another program already has that port. Close it, or change the port under **Network > Telnet Server** in PBConfig and restart PBDispatch.

Open the Windows firewall for the port too. See [[v4:install:requirements|Before you install]] for the command.

===== Stopping and starting a service =====

Open **View > Service Management** (or use the Services quick action). If you do not see it, use **Reset layout**. Each service has **Stop**, **Start** and **Restart** buttons. Stopping a service closes its port but does not disconnect callers who are already on. **Start** and **Restart** re-read the service's settings, so a change you made in PBConfig takes effect without restarting PBDispatch.

Closing PBDispatch closes every port. Callers who are already on keep their sessions, but PBDispatch can no longer track them.

===== Useful menu items =====

The **Tools** menu has:

  * **Local Login...** starts a session on this computer, with no network. It is how you log in first.
  * **Configure System (PBCONFIG)...** opens PBConfig.
  * **Rotate Logs Now...** starts a fresh log.
  * Login Guard and Host Filter, which protect the board from abuse (see the section on protecting your board).
  * **Check for Updates / Install...** if you have turned on [[v4:install:program_updates|Program updates]].

===== Keeping it running =====

PBDispatch only answers callers while it is running. For a board that should stay up, run it on a computer that stays on, and make sure it starts when Windows starts.

//A page on starting PBDispatch automatically with Windows is still being written.//