How To Fix SPN012 - Kerberos library loaded but keytab not available

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SPN - SPnego

• Message number: 012

• Message text: Kerberos library loaded but keytab not available

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SPN012 - Kerberos library loaded but keytab not available ?

  The SAP error message SPN012 indicates that the Kerberos library has been loaded, but the keytab file required for authentication is not available. This error typically occurs in environments where SAP systems are configured to use Kerberos authentication for Single Sign-On (SSO) purposes.
  Cause:
  
  Missing Keytab File: The keytab file, which contains the principal and its associated keys, is not present in the expected location.
  Incorrect Keytab Path: The path to the keytab file specified in the SAP configuration is incorrect.
  Permissions Issue: The user under which the SAP system is running does not have the necessary permissions to read the keytab file.
  Configuration Errors: There may be misconfigurations in the SAP system or the Kerberos setup.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Verify Keytab File:
  
  Ensure that the keytab file exists on the server where the SAP system is running.
  The keytab file is usually generated using the ktutil or kadmin commands in a Kerberos environment.
  
  
  
  Check Keytab Path:
  
  Verify the path to the keytab file in the SAP profile parameters. The parameter is typically icm/HTTP/auth/kerberos/keytab.
  Ensure that the path is correctly specified and points to the actual location of the keytab file.
  
  
  
  Set Permissions:
  
  Ensure that the user account under which the SAP system is running has read permissions for the keytab file.
  You can set the permissions using the chmod command in Unix/Linux or adjust the file properties in Windows.
  
  
  
  Check SAP Profile Parameters:
  
  Review the SAP profile parameters related to Kerberos authentication. Ensure that they are correctly configured.
  Common parameters include:
  
  icm/HTTP/auth/kerberos/enable
  icm/HTTP/auth/kerberos/principal
  icm/HTTP/auth/kerberos/keytab
  
  
  
  
  
  Restart SAP Services:
  
  After making changes to the keytab file or configuration, restart the relevant SAP services to apply the changes.
  
  
  
  Test Kerberos Configuration:
  
  Use the klist command to check if the Kerberos tickets are available and valid.
  You can also use kinit to manually obtain a ticket and verify that the Kerberos setup is functioning correctly.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Kerberos Authentication: Kerberos is a network authentication protocol designed to provide strong authentication for client/server applications.
  Keytab Files: A keytab file is a file containing pairs of Kerberos principals and encrypted keys. It allows services to authenticate without requiring a password.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes related to Kerberos authentication for any specific patches or updates that may address known issues.
  
  If the problem persists after following these steps, consider consulting SAP support or your system administrator for further assistance.