### Creating a Stash File

A stash file allows a KDC to authenticate itself to the database utilities, such as `kadmin`, `kadmind`, `krb5kdc`, and `kdb5_util`.

To create a stash file, use the `kdb5_util` `stash` command. The syntax is:

         kdb5_util stash [-f keyfile]

For example:

         shell% kdb5_util stash
         kdb5_util: Cannot find/read stored master key while reading master key
         kdb5_util: Warning: proceeding without master key
         Enter KDC database master key:  <= Type the KDC database master password.
         shell%

If you do not specify a stash file, `kdb5_util` will stash the key in the file specified in your `kdc.conf` file.