@node Introduction, Tutorial, Top, Top
@comment  node-name,  next,  previous,  up
@chapter Introduction

@quotation
@strong{Caution:} this is beta quality software. If something doesn't
work, it's probably because it doesn't. Don't be surprised if your
computer suffers a melt-down.
@end quotation

@heading What is Heimdal?

@sc{Heimdal} is a free implementation of Kerberos 5. The goals
are to:

@itemize @bullet
@item
have an implementation that can be freely used outside of the United
States
@item
be protocol compatible with existing implementations and, if not in
conflict, with RFC 1510 (and any future updated RFC)
@item
be somewhat compatible with the M.I.T Kerberos V5 API
@end itemize

This initial pre-version is mostly compatible with the M.I.T
implementation, as well as DCE secd. The library is at least not totally
different from the M.I.T @code{libkrb5}.

@heading Status

Heimdal has the following features (this does not mean any of this
works):

@itemize @bullet
@item
there is a complete library to encode/decode/whatever ASN.1 stuff
@item
a @code{libkrb5} library that should be possible to get to work with
simple applications
@item
Eric Young's @file{libdes}
@item
@file{kinit}, @file{klist}, @file{kdestroy}
@item
@file{telnet}, @file{telnetd}
@item
@file{rsh}, @file{rshd}
@item
a simple KDC
@item
an even simpler @file{kdb_edit}
@end itemize

@heading Bug reports

If you find bugs in this software, make sure it is a genuine bug and not
just a part of the code that isn't implemented.

Bug reports should be sent to @code{<heimdal-bugs@@pdc.kth.se>}. Please
include information on what machine and operating system (including
version) you are running, what you are trying to do, what happens, what
you think should have happened, an example for us to repeat, the output
you get when trying the example, and a patch for the problem if you have
one. Please make any patches with @code{diff -u} or @code{diff -c}.

Suggestions, comments and other non bug reports are welcome.  Send them
to @code{<heimdal@@pdc.kth.se>}.