How To Fix SPN023 - Kerberos token create error:

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SPN - SPnego

• Message number: 023

• Message text: Kerberos token create error:

&PREREQUISITES&
You have installed and licensed SAP Single Sign-On 2.0 or higher. It
comes with a front-end control that enables you to validate users from
the Active Directory database of the Microsoft Windows domain
controller. See SAP Note 1943266.

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

What causes this issue?

This message comes from the front-end control.
The front-end control simulates a logon by trying to request a Kerberos
token and by verifying it in the SAP system.
The request for creating a Kerberos token fails. The origin of the error
may be the front-end control or Active Directory.

System Response

How to fix this error?

If you get this error message, contact your Active Directory
administrator. Make sure that the Active Directory administrator
configures this user correctly in Active Directory.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message SPN023 - Kerberos token create error: ?

  The SAP error message SPN023, which indicates a "Kerberos token create error," typically arises in environments where SAP systems are configured to use Kerberos authentication for Single Sign-On (SSO). This error can occur due to various reasons related to the configuration of Kerberos, the Service Principal Name (SPN), or the underlying network settings.
  Causes of SPN023 Error
  
  
  Incorrect SPN Configuration: The Service Principal Name (SPN) may not be correctly registered in Active Directory (AD). Each service that uses Kerberos authentication must have a unique SPN.
  
  
  Service Account Issues: The service account used by the SAP system may not have the necessary permissions or may be incorrectly configured.
  
  
  Kerberos Ticket Issues: The Kerberos ticket may be expired, invalid, or not properly issued for the service account.
  
  
  DNS Issues: Kerberos relies heavily on DNS. If there are DNS resolution issues, the Kerberos authentication may fail.
  
  
  Clock Skew: Kerberos is sensitive to time differences between the client and server. If the system clocks are not synchronized, authentication can fail.
  
  
  Firewall or Network Issues: Network issues or firewall settings may prevent the necessary communication for Kerberos authentication.
  
  
  Solutions to SPN023 Error
  
  
  Check SPN Registration:
  
  Use the setspn command to verify that the SPN is correctly registered for the service account. The command can be run as follows:
  setspn -L <ServiceAccount>
  
  If the SPN is missing, you can register it using:
  setspn -A <SPN> <ServiceAccount>
  
  
  
  
  Verify Service Account Permissions:
  
  Ensure that the service account has the necessary permissions to request Kerberos tickets. It should be marked as "Trusted for delegation" if required.
  
  
  
  Check Kerberos Tickets:
  
  Use the klist command to check the current Kerberos tickets on the client machine. If the ticket is expired, you may need to renew it or obtain a new one.
  
  
  
  Synchronize Clocks:
  
  Ensure that the system clocks on the client and server are synchronized. You can use NTP (Network Time Protocol) to keep the clocks in sync.
  
  
  
  DNS Configuration:
  
  Verify that DNS is correctly configured and that the SAP server can resolve the names of the clients and vice versa.
  
  
  
  Review Network and Firewall Settings:
  
  Ensure that there are no firewall rules blocking the necessary ports for Kerberos authentication (typically UDP/TCP port 88).
  
  
  
  Check SAP Configuration:
  
  Review the SAP system's configuration for Kerberos settings in transaction SICF and ensure that the HTTP service is correctly configured for SSO.
  
  
  
  Related Information
  
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes related to Kerberos authentication and SPN issues. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions to common problems.
  Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation on configuring Kerberos authentication for detailed steps and best practices.
  Logs: Review the SAP application logs and the Windows Event Viewer for any additional error messages that may provide more context about the failure.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the SPN023 Kerberos token create error in your SAP environment.