def METHOD_NAME(
    options: Union[str, List[Any], Dict[Any, Any]], allow_multiples: bool = True
) -> Union[str, Dict[Any, Any]]:
    """
    Older Cobbler files stored configurations in a flat way, such that all values for strings. Newer versions of Cobbler
    allow dictionaries. This function is used to allow loading of older value formats so new users of Cobbler aren't
    broken in an upgrade.
    :param options: The str or dict to convert.
    :param allow_multiples: True (default) to allow multiple identical keys, otherwise set this false explicitly.
    :return: A dict or the value ``<<inherit>>`` in case it is the only content of ``options``.
    :raises TypeError: Raised in case the input type is wrong.
    """
    if options == enums.VALUE_INHERITED:
        return enums.VALUE_INHERITED
    return input_string_or_dict_no_inherit(options, allow_multiples)