small update as I've managed to narrow things down. the following will NOT work [realms]kdc=server1kdc=server2kdc=server3kdc=server4master_kdc=server1master_kdc=server2master_kdc=server3master_kdc=server4 when server1 and server2 are down on the network. server3 and server4 are up and functional but the following WILL work [realms]kdc=server1kdc=server2kdc=server3kdc=server4master_kdc=server1# master_kdc=server2master_kdc=server3master_kdc=server4 So the problem seems to be with having more than one non-functioning master_kdc ??! One seems to be ok but more than one and kinit chokes.