[R-sig-Debian] "Failed-to-restart-avahi-dnsconfd-service" error when I try to install R binary.

[Rolf Turner]

On 1/28/19 11:12 AM, David Winsemius wrote:
> 
> On 1/26/19 1:50 PM, Rolf Turner wrote:
>>
>> In the past I have been told, very firmly, by those who are 
>> knowledgeable that when upgrading R I should install the binary R 
>> provided for the Ubuntu OS.
>>
>> Being a docile and biddable young ( :-) ) fellow, I have tried to do so,
>> following the instructions made available at:
>>
>>    https://cran.r-project.org/bin/linux/ubuntu/README.html
>>
>> I have made sure that the line
>>
>>     deb https://cloud.r-project.org/bin/linux/ubuntu bionic-cran35/
>>
>> is present in my /etc/apt/sources.list file and I  then do:
>>
>>     sudo apt-get update
>>
>> (which seems to go OK) and then:
>>
>>     sudo apt-get install r-base
>>
>> At this point
>>
>> (a) I get told “r-base is already the newest version (3.5.2-1bionic).” 
>> (although when I start R it is apparent that I am running version 3.5.1)
>>
>> (This puzzles me completely.)
>>
>> (b) I then get asked if I want to continue (anyway); I answer “y” and 
>> then get an error:
>>
>>> Setting up avahi-dnsconfd (0.7-3.1ubuntu1.1) ...
>>> Failed to restart avahi-dnsconfd.service: Unit avahi-daemon.service 
>>> is masked.
>>> invoke-rc.d: initscript avahi-dnsconfd, action "restart" failed.
>>> ● avahi-dnsconfd.service - Avahi DNS Configuration Daemon
>>>    Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/avahi-dnsconfd.service; 
>>> enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
>>>    Active: inactive (dead)
>>
>> (And a bunch more bumff.)  Then everything comes to a shuddering halt.
>>
>> It's quite possible that there is a simple fix, but I have no idea 
>> what this fix might be.  (It is also quite possible that something 
>> complicated is needed.)
>>
>> Can anyone please enlighten me? I have no idea what further 
>> information would be useful but am of course happy to provide (do my 
>> best to provide) any such information that I am asked for.
>>
>> I am running the Mate Desktop Environment 1.20.1 under Ubuntu 18.04.
> 
> 
> Doesn't look to be an R problem. Looks more like an Internet connection 
> issue..  If you search on "ubuntu avahi-dnsconfd.service", you find 
> these instructions on how to install Avahi. (Mind you, I don't see that 
> error myself on 18.04 when trying access CRAN, so this is a bit of a 
> guess.)
> 
> https://askubuntu.com/questions/460371/trouble-using-ssh-and-avahi

You are of course correct; it's not really an R problem. It is a problem 
which has an impact on dealing with R. I just hoped that some of the 
clever people who subscribe to R-sig-Debian might be able to set me on 
the appropriate course.

The problem is with the avahi-dnsconfd.service; it's dead but won't lie 
down.

The site that you refer to above appears not to be relevant; I have no 
trouble using ssh --- I use it all the time.

When I tried doing the sudo apt-get install thing, in respect of all the 
avahi components, I simply ran into the same problem.

I need to (somehow) get rid of the "Avahi DNS Configuration Daemon" and 
restart it.  Or something like that.  But I have no idea how.

Any thoughts?

cheers,

Rolf

-- 
Honorary Research Fellow
Department of Statistics
University of Auckland
Phone: +64-9-373-7599 ext. 88276