Is there an equivelent Windows SteadyState for linux

 It's important to clarify that "Windows SteadyState" was a Microsoft tool that allowed administrators to revert a Windows system to a previous state after a reboot. Its primary use was in public computing environments like libraries and schools.   

While there isn't a single, direct, 1:1 equivalent in Linux, Linux offers a variety of tools and methods that achieve similar results. Here's a breakdown of relevant concepts and approaches:

Key Linux Capabilities:

• Snapshots and Virtualization:
  • Linux file systems like Btrfs and ZFS have built-in snapshot capabilities. This allows you to create point-in-time copies of your system, which can be easily restored.  
  • Virtualization software (like VirtualBox or KVM) allows you to run a Linux system within a virtual machine. You can then take snapshots of the virtual machine and revert to them as needed. This is a very robust way to achieve a "SteadyState" effect.  
• Overlay File Systems:
  • Overlay file systems (like OverlayFS) allow you to layer a read-write file system on top of a read-only one. This means that changes are written to the read-write layer, and the original read-only layer remains untouched. A reboot can then discard the read-write layer, effectively restoring the system.  
• Configuration Management Tools:
  • Tools like Ansible, Puppet, and Chef can be used to automate system configuration. This ensures that systems are always in a consistent state. While not a direct "revert" mechanism, they provide a strong way to maintain a desired system configuration.  
• Read-Only System Partitions:
  • It is possible to configure linux systems so that the main system partition is mounted as read only. Then a seperate partition can be used for user data. This would mean that any changes to the system partition would be lost upon reboot.  

In summary:

Linux provides a range of flexible tools and techniques that can replicate the functionality of Windows SteadyState. The specific approach will depend on your needs and technical expertise.

I hope this information is helpful.