SSD KCM Taking Up Too Much CPU: A Safe Disable Solution

SSDK CM Taking Much CPU Usage: Safe Disable Solution

SSDK CM, or Symmetric Scalable Data Key Cryptographic Module, is a component of Microsoft Windows that handles Kerberos caching. However, it has been observed that this process can consume a significant amount of CPU resources, often running at the top of the process list. This article will discuss the issue and provide a safe solution for disabling the SSDK CM process.

Understanding the SSDK CM Process

The SSDK CM process is responsible for handling Kerberos caching, which is a mechanism used to authenticate users and services in a Windows domain. Kerberos caching allows for faster authentication when a user or service needs to access resources on a different domain controller. The SSDK CM process handles the caching of these Kerberos tickets, which can be a resource-intensive task.

Identifying the Issue

If you notice that the SSDK CM process is consuming a significant amount of CPU resources, it is likely that you are experiencing the issue discussed in this article. To confirm, you can check the process list on your production server and look for the SSDK CM process. If it is consistently at the top of the list, it is likely that it is causing high CPU usage.

Safe Disable Solution

While it may be tempting to simply stop the SSDK CM process, this is not recommended as it can cause authentication issues in your Windows domain. Instead, you can safely disable the SSDK CM process by following these steps:

1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor by typing "gpedit.msc" in the Run dialog box.
2. Navigate to "Computer Configuration" > "Administrative Templates" > "System" > " Kerberos".
3. Double-click on "Enforce Kerberos policy for user logon" and select "Disabled".
4. Double-click on "Maximum tolerance for computer clock synchronization" and set the value to "0".
5. Close the Local Group Policy Editor.

Code Block: Disabling SSDK CM Process in Group Policy Editor

// Open the Local Group Policy Editor
gpedit.msc

// Navigate to the following location
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Kerberos

// Disable the following policies
Enforce Kerberos policy for user logon
Maximum tolerance for computer clock synchronization

References

• Kerberos Protocol
• Client Authentication in Kerberos
• Kerberos Caching

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can safely disable the SSDK CM process and reduce the CPU usage on your production server. It is important to note that this solution should only be implemented if you are experiencing the specific issue discussed in this article. If you are unsure, it is recommended to consult with a qualified IT professional before making any changes to your system.