Resolving “Server Not Found in Kerberos Database” Error

Hello Dev, if you are reading this article, chances are you are facing the frustrating “Server Not Found in Kerberos Database” error. This error occurs when a user tries to connect to a remote server using Kerberos authentication but the server cannot be found in the Kerberos database. Don’t worry, in this article, we will explain the causes of this error and provide solutions to fix it. Let’s get started.

Understanding Kerberos Authentication

Kerberos authentication is a network security protocol that is used to verify the identity of a user or service in a network environment. It uses a centralized authentication server (known as the Key Distribution Center or KDC) to issue tickets that authenticate users or services to other network resources.

When a user or service wants to access a remote resource, it sends a ticket request to the KDC. The KDC verifies the identity of the user or service and issues a ticket that contains the user’s or service’s identity and a secret key that is used to encrypt and decrypt the authentication information.

Common Causes of “Server Not Found in Kerberos Database” Error

There are several possible causes of the “Server Not Found in Kerberos Database” error:

Fixing the “Server Not Found in Kerberos Database” Error

Now that we understand the causes of this error, let’s look at some solutions to fix it.

1. Check DNS Configuration

The first step to resolving the “Server Not Found in Kerberos Database” error is to check the DNS configuration. Ensure that the server name and the IP address are correct and that the server is registered in the DNS server.

If the DNS configuration is correct, try flushing the DNS cache on the client computer by running the following command:

ipconfig /flushdns

2. Check Time Synchronization

Ensure that the client computer’s clock is synchronized with the KDC. If the time difference between the client and the KDC is more than five minutes, authentication will fail.

You can check the time difference by running the following command:

w32tm /monitor /domain:<domain>

3. Check Service Principal Name (SPN)

Ensure that the SPN of the server is correct and has not been deleted. You can check the SPN of the server by running the following command:

setspn -l <server name>

If the SPN is incorrect or has been deleted, you can recreate it by running the following command:

setspn -a <service>/<server> <user>

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kerberos Authentication?

Kerberos authentication is a network security protocol that is used to verify the identity of a user or service in a network environment. It uses a centralized authentication server to issue tickets that authenticate users or services to other network resources.

What causes the “Server Not Found in Kerberos Database” Error?

The “Server Not Found in Kerberos Database” error can be caused by incorrect DNS configuration, stale tickets, incorrect time sync, or incorrect SPN.

How do I fix the “Server Not Found in Kerberos Database” Error?

You can fix the “Server Not Found in Kerberos Database” error by checking the DNS configuration, time synchronization, and SPN of the server.

What is the Key Distribution Center (KDC)?

The Key Distribution Center (KDC) is a centralized authentication server that is used in Kerberos authentication to issue tickets that authenticate users or services to other network resources.