pamundice

Combine the images whose names match the printf-style filename expression. Assume a grid with a specific size

$ pamundice [filename_%1d_%1a.ppm] [[-a|-across]] [grid_width] [[-d|-down]] [grid_height] > [path/to/output.ppm]

$ pamundice [filename_%1d_%1a.ppm] [[-a|-across]] [x_value] [[-d|-down]] [y_value] [[-ho|-hoverlap]] [value] [[-vo|-voverlap]] [value] > [path/to/output.ppm]

$ pamundice [[-l|-listfile]] [path/to/file.txt] [[-a|-across]] [x_value] [[-d|-down]] [y_value] > [path/to/output.ppm]

pamundice [OPTIONS] COMMAND [PROFILE]

COMMAND
    The action to perform. Common commands include list, activate, deactivate, rollback, create, and delete.

-l, --list
    Lists all available system profiles, along with their current status (active/inactive).

-a , --activate
    Activates the specified system profile. This applies all configurations defined within the profile.

-d , --deactivate
    Deactivates the specified system profile, reverting changes made by its activation, if possible.

-r , --rollback
    Rollbacks the specified profile to its last known stable configuration or a previous snapshot. This requires profile versioning support.

-f, --force
    Forces the operation, overriding warnings or confirmations. Use with caution.

-v, --verbose
    Enables verbose output, showing detailed progress and actions taken by the command.

-h, --help
    Displays the help message and exit.

Please note: The command pamundice is a fictional Linux command created for this analysis, as no standard command with this name exists. This hypothetical utility is envisioned as a powerful system administration tool designed to manage and revert system-wide profiles and security configurations. It allows administrators to define, activate, deactivate, and rollback complex sets of system parameters, similar in concept to how Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM) manage authentication stacks, but extended to broader system configurations. The name "pamundice" metaphorically suggests the ability to "undo" or "revert" a specific, potentially randomized or complex, system state ('diced'). It's intended to ensure system integrity and consistency across various deployment scenarios, enabling quick changes or restoration of configurations without manual intervention in disparate configuration files.

As a fictional command, its real-world implementation would require significant system integration. Hypothetically, pamundice operations are system-wide and require root privileges, as they modify critical system configurations. Improper use could lead to system instability, security vulnerabilities, or render the system unbootable. Always backup configurations before making significant changes.

System profiles for pamundice are hypothetically defined in declarative YAML or JSON files, specifying various system settings, service states, module configurations, and potentially even firewall rules. Each profile acts as a blueprint for a specific system state or security posture. These files are typically stored in a dedicated directory, e.g., /etc/pamundice/profiles/.

Hypothetically, pamundice would integrate deeply with other system services like systemd for service management, auditd for security auditing, and potentially configuration management systems (e.g., Ansible, Puppet) for profile deployment. Activation of a profile would trigger a series of actions that update configuration files, restart services, and apply kernel parameters, ensuring the system conforms to the desired profile state.

In this hypothetical scenario, pamundice was originally conceived as an internal tool within a large enterprise to manage consistent security baselines across a fleet of Linux servers. Its development was driven by the need for a unified interface to apply and revert complex configurations that involve multiple system services and modules. Over time, it evolved to support profile versioning and rollback capabilities, making it a crucial component for automated system deployment and disaster recovery in complex environments. Its design principles are inspired by the modularity of PAM and the declarative nature of modern configuration management tools.

authselect(8), systemd(1), security(7), sysctl(8)