---
title: Configuring PingCentral to run as a Linux systemd service
description: Run PingCentral as a Linux systemd service that automatically starts when Linux starts.
component: pingcentral
version: 2.2
page_id: pingcentral:pingcentral_for_iam_administrators:pingcentral_conf_pc_linux_systemd
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingcentral/2.2/pingcentral_for_iam_administrators/pingcentral_conf_pc_linux_systemd.html
revdate: August 3, 2023
section_ids:
  before-you-begin: Before you begin
  steps: Steps
---

# Configuring PingCentral to run as a Linux systemd service

Run PingCentral as a Linux systemd service that automatically starts when Linux starts.

## Before you begin

Ensure that:

* You are signed on to your system as a root user.

* The *\<JAVA-HOME>* path points to the Java Development Kit (JDK) software on your system. For example, `usr/java/jdk11.0_4`.

* The *\<PINGCENTRAL\_HOME>* path points to the folder extracted from the `.zip` archive in your installation directory. Ensure that this path does not reside within a user's home folder.

## Steps

1. Copy the `pingcentral.service` configuration file from `$PINGCENTRAL_HOME/sbin/linux/pingcentral.service` to `/lib/systemd/system/pingcentral.service`.

   |   |                                                                                   |
   | - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
   |   | You can also copy this file to the `/etc/systemd/system` location, if appropriate |

2. Open the `pingcentral.service` file and assign appropriate values to the following variables:

   * *\<PINGCENTRAL\_HOME>*: Labeled "WorkingDirectory."

   * *\<PINGCENTRAL\_USER>*: Labeled "User."

   * *\<JAVA\_HOME>*: Labeled "Environment."

3. Enable read and write activity for the service using the `chmod 644 /lib/systemd/system/pingcentral.service` command.

   If you copied this file to the /etc/systemd/system location in step 1, use this command instead: `chmod 644 /etc/systemd/system/pingcentral.service`.

4. Load the systemd service using the `systemctl daemon-reload` command.

5. Enable the service using the `systemctl enable pingcentral.service` command.

6. Start the service using the `systemctl start pingcentral.service` command.