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+.. _keytab_definition:
+
+keytab
+======
+
+A keytab (short for "key table") stores long-term keys for one or more
+principals.  Keytabs are normally represented by files in a standard
+format, although in rare cases they can be represented in other ways.
+Keytabs are used most often to allow server applications to accept
+authentications from clients, but can also be used to obtain initial
+credentials for client applications.
+
+Keytabs are named using the format *type*\ ``:``\ *value*.  Usually
+*type* is ``FILE`` and *value* is the absolute pathname of the file.
+Other possible values for *type* are ``SRVTAB``, which indicates a
+file in the deprecated Kerberos 4 srvtab format, and ``MEMORY``, which
+indicates a temporary keytab stored in the memory of the current
+process.
+
+A keytab contains one or more entries, where each entry consists of a
+timestamp (indicating when the entry was written to the keytab), a
+principal name, a key version number, an encryption type, and the
+encryption key itself.
+
+A keytab can be displayed using the :ref:`klist(1)` command with the
+``-k`` option.  Keytabs can be created or appended to by extracting
+keys from the KDC database using the :ref:`kadmin(1)` :ref:`ktadd`
+command.  Keytabs can be manipulated using the :ref:`ktutil(1)` and
+:ref:`k5srvutil(1)` commands.
+
+
+Default keytab
+--------------
+
+The default keytab is used by server applications if the application
+does not request a specific keytab.  The name of the default keytab is
+determined by the following, in decreasing order of preference:
+
+#. The **KRB5_KTNAME** environment variable.
+
+#. The **default_keytab_name** profile variable in :ref:`libdefaults`.
+
+#. The hardcoded default, |keytab|.
+
+
+Default client keytab
+---------------------
+
+The default client keytab is used, if it is present and readable, to
+automatically obtain initial credentials for GSSAPI client
+applications.  The principal name of the first entry in the client
+keytab is used by default when obtaining initial credentials.  The
+name of the default client keytab is determined by the following, in
+decreasing order of preference:
+
+#. The **KRB5_CLIENT_KTNAME** environment variable.
+
+#. The **default_client_keytab_name** profile variable in
+   :ref:`libdefaults`.
+
+#. The hardcoded default, |ckeytab|.