The Key Distribution Center consists of a database of all of the end users at the place of business or corporation and their respective passwords, as well other trusted servers and computers along the network.
If an end user wishes to communicate with another end user on a different computer system, the sending party enters their password into the KDC using a specialized software called “Kerberos.” When the password is received by the KDC, the Kerberos then uses a special mathematical algorithm which adds the receiving party’s information and converts it over to a cryptographic key.
Once this encrypted key has been established, the KDC then sets up and establishes other keys for the encryption of the communication session between the sending and the receiving party. These other keys are also referred to as tickets. These tickets will actually expire at a predetermined point in time in order to prevent unauthorized use, and it would also be rendered useless if it is stolen, hijacked or intercepted by a third party.
