The krb5.conf file contains Kerberos configuration information. Typically, the default realm name and the KDC name for that realm are specified in the krb5.conf file. However, you can specify the realm and KDC names directly in your application with the java.security.krb5.realm and java.security.krb5.kdc system properties. Setting these system properties will override the settings in the krb5.conf file.

When a client application does not use the java.security.krb5.realm and java.security.krb5.kdc system properties, the JVM looks for a krb5.conf file that contains the realm and KDC names. The JVM first looks for the krb5.conf file in the location specified with the java.security.krb5.conf system property. If this system property has not been used, then the JVM continues looking for the krb5.conf file using an internal algorithm. The JVM must be able to locate the krb5.conf to establish a Kerberos connection. Refer to your vendor's JVM documentation for the list of directories that the JVM searches in order to find the krb5.conf file.

Depending on your environment, other modifications may need to be made to your krb5.conf file. Refer to the following resources for more information on configuring Kerberos and the krb5.conf file.