Fedora Server not contains packages for PPP/xDSL connection support #201

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opened 2026-06-10 23:55:39 +00:00 by fhanzlik · 3 comments

fhanzlik commented

2026-06-10 23:55:39 +00:00

These packages are missing from the Fedora Server distribution itself (but Fedora MATE installs them, for example), so choosing "Fedora Custom Operating System" -> "Common NetworkManager Submodules" in the "SOFTWARE SELECTION" section does not help either.

I think it would be appropriate to include these packages (+ NetworkManager-tui - all of them are small packages without other dependencies) in this Fedora Server edition.

After installing Fedora 44 Server Edition on an x86_64 firewall/router connected to the Internet via an ADSL/VDSL modem in bridge mode (the machine previously had older Fedora 38 with "old good" network-scripts), I found that the system lacks the packages needed to create an internet connection (packages ppp + NetworkManager-{adsl,ppp}). These packages are missing from the Fedora Server distribution itself (but Fedora MATE installs them, for example), so choosing "Fedora Custom Operating System" -> "Common NetworkManager Submodules" in the "SOFTWARE SELECTION" section does not help either. I think it would be appropriate to include these packages (+ NetworkManager-tui - all of them are small packages without other dependencies) in this Fedora Server edition.

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2026-06-11 05:59:31 +00:00

pboy commented

2026-06-11 05:59:43 +00:00

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The usual way is to install them afterward using dnf. But, well, if you can't establish an internet connection without them, you are lost.

Indeed, the ppp related packages are not installed by default. We should consider to include them when we rework the installation anyway because of the new Anaconda installation GUI. Maybe we can include them as an optional installation item (but would have to reconsider our decision to drop the options section). The usual way is to install them afterward using dnf. But, well, if you can't establish an internet connection without them, you are lost.

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2026-06-11 06:03:29 +00:00

sgallagh commented

2026-06-11 15:17:44 +00:00

Owner

Chiming in because I was here when we made the decision originally, many years ago.

The short version is that the PPP and DSL packages were dropped from the default installation because they are extremely uncommon in the environments that Fedora Server was targeting. The original targeted personas of Fedora Server were small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that would generally be using a stable internet connection such DOCSIS, Fiber-to-the-Premise or similar. PPP and DSL are increasingly rare.

They were available on the install media as an option for the rare cases where they are needed.

It's also worth noting that at that time, we were still managing to keep the entire Fedora Server installation disk at a 700MiB CD size, so every megabyte counted. That time has obviously passed, so reconsidering the inclusion of those packages is certainly an option.

At this point, I think what I might suggest is to include those if you're doing a "Server with a GUI" install, but maybe continue to leave them out of the "Fedora Custom OS" minimal set.

Chiming in because I was here when we made the decision originally, many years ago. The short version is that the PPP and DSL packages were dropped from the default installation because they are extremely uncommon in the environments that Fedora Server was targeting. The original targeted personas of Fedora Server were small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that would generally be using a stable internet connection such DOCSIS, Fiber-to-the-Premise or similar. PPP and DSL are increasingly rare. They were available on the install media as an option for the rare cases where they are needed. It's also worth noting that at that time, we were still managing to keep the entire Fedora Server installation disk at a 700MiB CD size, so every megabyte counted. That time has obviously passed, so reconsidering the inclusion of those packages is certainly an option. At this point, I think what I might suggest is to include those if you're doing a "Server with a GUI" install, but maybe continue to leave them out of the "Fedora Custom OS" minimal set.

pboy commented

2026-06-14 05:25:32 +00:00

Owner

extremely uncommon in the environments that Fedora Server was targeting. The original targeted personas of Fedora Server were small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that would generally be using a stable internet connection

Good to remind us on this!!! (Otherwise, I’m usually the one who reminds us to keep our target audience in mind). So yes, that is not for Fedora Server Edition.

But we may consider this for the home server spin-off.

to keep the entire Fedora Server installation disk at a 700MiB CD size,

Yeah, these times are gone. Nevertheless, in every discussion I argue for keeping our installation media as small as possible. In many parts of the world, an internet connection is a scarce commodity.

> extremely uncommon in the environments that Fedora Server was targeting. The original targeted personas of Fedora Server were small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that would generally be using a stable internet connection Good to remind us on this!!! (Otherwise, I’m usually the one who reminds us to keep our target audience in mind). So yes, that is not for Fedora Server Edition. But we may consider this for the home server spin-off. > to keep the entire Fedora Server installation disk at a 700MiB CD size, Yeah, these times are gone. Nevertheless, in every discussion I argue for keeping our installation media as small as possible. In many parts of the world, an internet connection is a scarce commodity.

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