Service keys decrypt the private-key password for network listeners using SSL. The
private-key password initializes the SSL certificate.
SSL Passwords
How SSL listeners start depends on if the service keys are encrypted by master key and whether the master key is available.
LDAP Passwords
Service keys are required to decrypt the password for LDAP administration accounts when SAP ASE authenticates users during the LDAP user authentication process. Until authentication is complete, users cannot log in using LDAP.
Replication Agent Passwords
Service keys decrypt passwords that initiate connections by Replication Agents on user databases. Agents that are configured to start automatically are blocked until an authorized user enters the master key password manually, if the service key is encrypted by a master key.