DECnet?
 

I have a base install of Debian onto which I am running:
aptitude install gnome-core

During the install I get a question:
Do you want to configure your system as a DECnet node now or later?
I select leave config as is.

Why am I getting this question, what is DECnet and why is it being installed?


Thanks,
Nick

google(decnet)[1] = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DECnet

Well yes I had read that but the question is why is gnome-core under Debian installing this in the first place. I have never noticed this getting installed before on other Debian installs so why has it now started to install this?

^ not sure... i know with the fedora install it asks what types of servers/ services you would want to install. i think it is pretty safe to skip.

Do you have a DECnet card in the server? Is this an Alpha system?

I had that DECnet question pop up on me while installing ncmcpp music player once - just chose to leave as is and there was no problem.

In any case I think we can all agree you are unlikely to need it.

We still use it.

Not an Alpha system, just a standard PC. I was just about to say no DECnet card but then realised that it has a DLink network card in it and I can recall that some of these used to install under NT4 using a DEC 21048? or something driver. I wonder if this NIC has a DEC chip on it which is causing the DECnet component to be installed.

Nick

Odd but just the way things go. Might be the installer goofed and saw the chip and made a guess.

As above, just ignore it or bypass it.

I've had that message pop up too but never thought to look into why. I don't recall the exact package I was installing or upgrading but I know it was Gnome related.
Edit: seems there's libdnet installed due to libroar2 being dependant on it, so that just leads to more questions.