GLPI Agent Install Error On Rocky Linux 10: Fix Missing Dependency

Nov 20, 2025 by Alex Johnson 67 views

GLPI Agent Installation Failure on Rocky Linux 10: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Are you encountering issues while trying to install the GLPI Agent on Rocky Linux 10? You're not alone. A common problem reported by users is the failure of the installation process due to a missing dependency: perl(Socket::GetAddrInfo). This article delves into the root cause of this issue, provides a step-by-step guide to reproduce the bug, and offers potential solutions to get your GLPI Agent up and running on Rocky Linux 10.

Understanding the Problem: The Missing Dependency

When attempting to install the GLPI Agent on Rocky Linux 10, the installation process may fail with an error message indicating that the perl(Socket::GetAddrInfo) dependency is missing. This dependency is a Perl module required by the GLPI Agent to perform certain network-related tasks. The error message typically looks like this:

Problem: conflicting requests
  - nothing provides perl(Socket::GetAddrInfo) needed by glpi-agent-1.15-1.noarch from @commandline
(try to add '--skip-broken' to skip uninstallable packages or '--nobest' to use not only best candidate packages)

This error occurs because the perl(Socket::GetAddrInfo) module is not available in the default repositories of Rocky Linux 10, including EPEL (Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux). Without this module, the GLPI Agent installation cannot proceed, leading to frustration and potential delays in your IT asset management efforts.

Reproducing the Bug: A Step-by-Step Guide

To better understand the issue and potentially find a solution, it's crucial to reproduce the bug. Here's a detailed guide to replicate the GLPI Agent installation failure on Rocky Linux 10:

Install Rocky Linux 10: Begin by installing a fresh instance of Rocky Linux 10 on a virtual machine or physical server. This ensures a clean environment and eliminates any potential conflicts from pre-existing software.
Download the GLPI Agent Installer: Obtain the GLPI Agent installer package. You can typically find the latest version on the GLPI website or GitHub repository. For this example, we'll use glpi-agent-1.15-linux-installer.pl.
Execute the Installer: Open a terminal and navigate to the directory where you downloaded the installer. Run the installer with the verbose option using the following command:
```
perl glpi-agent-1.15-linux-installer.pl -v
```
Observe the Error: As the installer runs, it will attempt to install the GLPI Agent and its dependencies. If the perl(Socket::GetAddrInfo) module is missing, you will encounter the error message described earlier, confirming the bug.

By following these steps, you can reliably reproduce the GLPI Agent installation failure on Rocky Linux 10, allowing you to further investigate the issue and test potential solutions.

Analyzing the Root Cause: Why is perl(Socket::GetAddrInfo) Missing?

The core reason for the GLPI Agent installation failure is the absence of the perl(Socket::GetAddrInfo) module in the standard Rocky Linux 10 repositories, including the well-known EPEL repository. This module is a crucial component for Perl applications that need to resolve hostnames to IP addresses, a common task for network-aware applications like the GLPI Agent.

Rocky Linux, like its upstream source Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), focuses on stability and reliability. To achieve this, they often use a curated set of packages in their default repositories, which might not include every single Perl module available. While EPEL expands this package selection, it doesn't always have the latest or less commonly used Perl modules immediately available.

Therefore, when the GLPI Agent installer tries to resolve dependencies, it finds that perl(Socket::GetAddrInfo) is not present, leading to the installation failure. This situation highlights the importance of understanding package dependencies and how to manage them effectively in Linux systems.

Potential Solutions: Getting GLPI Agent Installed on Rocky Linux 10

Now that we understand the problem, let's explore several potential solutions to successfully install the GLPI Agent on Rocky Linux 10:

1. Installing the Required Perl Module Manually

The most direct approach is to manually install the perl(Socket::GetAddrInfo) module. This typically involves using a Perl package manager like cpan or cpanm. Here's how you can do it:

Install CPAN Modules: If you don't have CPAN installed, you'll need to install it first. Use the following command:
```
sudo dnf install perl-CPAN
```
Configure CPAN: Run the following command to configure CPAN:
```
sudo perl -MCPAN -e 'o conf init' 
```
Follow the prompts to set up CPAN. You can usually accept the defaults.
Install Socket::GetAddrInfo: Now, use CPAN to install the missing module:
```
sudo perl -MCPAN -e 'install Socket::GetAddrInfo'
```
CPAN will download, build, and install the module. You might be prompted to install other dependencies as well; it's generally safe to accept these.
Retry GLPI Agent Installation: After the module is installed, try running the GLPI Agent installer again. It should now be able to resolve the dependency and proceed with the installation.

2. Using a Different Perl Package Manager (cpanm)

cpanm is a popular alternative to the standard CPAN client, known for its ease of use. Here’s how to use it:

Install cpanm: If cpanm is not already installed, you can install it using cpan itself:
```
sudo perl -MCPAN -e 'install App::cpanminus'
```
Install Socket::GetAddrInfo: Use cpanm to install the module:
```
sudo cpanm Socket::GetAddrInfo
```
Retry GLPI Agent Installation: Once the module is installed, try running the GLPI Agent installer again.

3. Checking and Enabling CRB Repository

Sometimes, the required packages might be available in the CRB (Community Release Build) repository. Ensure that this repository is enabled:

Enable CRB Repository:

sudo dnf config-manager --set-enabled crb

Update Package Lists:
```
sudo dnf update
```
Install the Module: Try installing the perl module using dnf after enabling the CRB repository:
```
sudo dnf install perl-Socket-GetAddrInfo
```
Retry GLPI Agent Installation: Attempt to install the GLPI Agent again.

4. Creating a Local RPM Package (Advanced)

If none of the above methods work, you can try creating a local RPM package for the perl(Socket::GetAddrInfo) module. This involves downloading the module source from CPAN, building it into an RPM, and then installing it. This method is more complex but can be useful if you need to deploy the module to multiple systems.

Download the Module Source: Download the Socket::GetAddrInfo module from CPAN (https://metacpan.org/pod/Socket::GetAddrInfo).
Build the RPM Package: Use tools like rpmbuild to create an RPM package from the source. This typically involves creating a spec file that describes how to build the package.
Install the RPM Package: Once you have the RPM package, install it using dnf:
```
sudo dnf install /path/to/your/perl-Socket-GetAddrInfo.rpm
```
Retry GLPI Agent Installation: Finally, try installing the GLPI Agent again.

5. Using `--skip-broken` or `--nobest` (Not Recommended as a Primary Solution)

The error message suggests using --skip-broken or --nobest options with dnf. However, these options should be used with caution, as they can lead to an incomplete or unstable installation. It’s better to resolve the dependency issue directly using the methods described above.

Conclusion: Ensuring a Smooth GLPI Agent Installation

Installing the GLPI Agent on Rocky Linux 10 can be challenging due to the missing perl(Socket::GetAddrInfo) dependency. However, by understanding the root cause of the issue and following the solutions outlined in this article, you can successfully install the GLPI Agent and ensure your IT asset inventory is up-to-date.

Remember to always prioritize installing missing dependencies directly and avoid using workarounds like --skip-broken unless absolutely necessary. By taking a systematic approach, you can overcome this hurdle and enjoy the benefits of GLPI Agent on your Rocky Linux 10 systems.

For more information on GLPI and its agent, you can visit the official GLPI website at https://glpi-project.org/.