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`kpropd(8)` on Solnix vs Linux and the BSDs

On Solnix, kpropd is the illumos slave-KDC propagation daemon at /usr/lib/krb5/kpropd, not on PATH. It runs under inetd and SMF by default, and incremental propagation is off unless sunw_dbprop_enable is set. FreeBSD's kpropd uses different default paths, different kdc.conf variable names and a different run mode.

The manual pages

Solnix: kpropd(8) from pkgs.solnix.illumos-world-man · illumos.org
FreeBSD: kpropd(8) 15.1-RELEASE

What Solnix runs

A default Solnix system has the illumos kpropd at /usr/lib/krb5/kpropd, outside /usr/bin, /usr/sbin and /sbin. No other variants are shipped. The service is svc:/network/security/krb5_prop:default, started by inetd(8). Manage it with svcadm(8) and inetadm(8), and query it with svcs(1). The bundle has a counterpart page only for FreeBSD, so it says nothing about Linux, OpenBSD or NetBSD.

Differences

Compared with	Topic	What differs
FreeBSD	default run mode	Solnix kpropd defaults to non-standalone mode, with inetd listening, and `-S` switches to standalone. FreeBSD kpropd detects whether inetd started it and runs standalone, backgrounding itself, if not. FreeBSD `-S` is accepted but does nothing. Source: Solnix kpropd(8) -S; FreeBSD kpropd(8) DESCRIPTION (release 1.11 text)
FreeBSD	service management	On Solnix, kpropd is an SMF service, svc:/network/security/krb5_prop:default, with start and restart delegated to inetd(8). The FreeBSD page shows an `/etc/inetd.conf` line for the non-incremental case and gives no service-manager instructions. Source: Solnix kpropd(8) NOTES; FreeBSD kpropd(8) DESCRIPTION (inetd.conf example)
FreeBSD	incremental propagation settings	Solnix enables incremental propagation with sunw_dbprop_enable (default false) in kdc.conf and polls at sunw_dbprop_slave_poll (default 2m). FreeBSD uses iprop_enable and iprop_replica_poll. A kdc.conf written for one system will not turn it on for the other. Source: Solnix kpropd(8) DESCRIPTION; FreeBSD kpropd(8) DESCRIPTION
FreeBSD	default file locations	Solnix defaults are `/var/krb5/from_master` (`-f`), `/var/krb5/principal` (`-F`), `/usr/sbin/kdb5_util` (`-p`) and `/etc/krb5/kpropd.acl` (`-a`). FreeBSD defaults are @LOCALSTATEDIR@/krb5kdc/from_master, @LOCALSTATEDIR@/krb5kdc/kpropd.acl and @SBINDIR@/kdb5_util. The FreeBSD `-F` default is only 'the default'. Source: Solnix kpropd(8) OPTIONS -f, -F, -p, -a; FreeBSD kpropd(8) OPTIONS -f, -F, -p, -a
FreeBSD	`-P` port	Solnix `-P` sets the listen port, default 754 (service name krb5_prop). FreeBSD also listens on 754, but says `-P` is only useful in combination with `-S`. Source: Solnix kpropd(8) -P; FreeBSD kpropd(8) -P and DESCRIPTION
FreeBSD	`-r` realm default	Solnix `-r` takes its default realm from `/etc/krb5/krb5.conf.` The FreeBSD page describes `-r` as the realm of the primary server and gives no default. Source: Solnix kpropd(8) -r; FreeBSD kpropd(8) -r
FreeBSD	foreground and debug	FreeBSD has `-D` to stay in the foreground, and `-d` also implies `-D`. Solnix has no `-D`. Its `-d` only enables debug mode, and the page does not say whether the daemon stays in the foreground. Source: Solnix kpropd(8) SYNOPSIS, -d; FreeBSD kpropd(8) -D, -d
FreeBSD	options only on FreeBSD	FreeBSD kpropd accepts `-A` admin_server (server for incremental updates), `--pid-file=pid_file` (standalone mode) and `-x` db_args. The Solnix synopsis has none of these. Source: FreeBSD kpropd(8) SYNOPSIS, -A, --pid-file, -x; Solnix kpropd(8) SYNOPSIS
FreeBSD	`-p` argument	Solnix `-p` kdb_util and `-s` srv_tabfile take an argument. In the FreeBSD page, `-s` takes keytab_file, and `-p` is described without a named argument in the text. Both pages say `-p` selects the kdb5_util program. Source: Solnix kpropd(8) -p, -s; FreeBSD kpropd(8) -p, -s
FreeBSD	terminology	Solnix writes 'master' and 'slave' KDC. FreeBSD writes 'primary' and 'replica'. The Solnix principal name for incremental propagation is kiprop/<hostname>@<REALM>, the same form FreeBSD gives for the replica's keytab. Source: Solnix kpropd(8) DESCRIPTION; FreeBSD kpropd(8) DESCRIPTION

Standards

POSIX: kpropd is not a POSIX.1-2024 utility.
Solnix: Interface Stability: Evolving.
FreeBSD: The FreeBSD page has no STANDARDS section.

Writing portable scripts

Pass explicit -f, -F, -p and -a paths in scripts and unit files, because the defaults live under /var/krb5 and /etc/krb5 on Solnix but under @LOCALSTATEDIR@/krb5kdc on FreeBSD.
Do not rely on -S, -D or --pid-file: -S only means something on Solnix, and -D and --pid-file exist only in the FreeBSD page.

Every difference here is taken from the manual pages linked above: Solnix's published page, Linux (man-pages and the GNU and util-linux manuals), FreeBSD, OpenBSD and NetBSD. Each row names its source. Where a manual is silent, this page is too. Compiled 2026-10-26. Found a mistake? Mail hackers@lists.solnix.io.