• A simple, yet complete, backup "solution":

    #!/bin/bash

    DATE=`date +%Y_%m_%d_%H\:%M\:%S`
        # ...the date/time in format: yyyy_mm_dd_hh:mm:ss

    # -- Configuration --- source, target, etc.:
    #
    SRCACCNT=simonh@sekhmet.umist.ac.uk
    RSYNCDIR=/home/simonh/__rsync_sekhmet
    SNAPSDIR=/home/simonh/__rsync_snaps_sekhmet/$DATE

    # -- do the rsync :
    #
    rsync -av -e ssh --delete $SRCACCNT: $RSYNCDIR

    # -- make daily snapshot using hard links :
    #
    mkdir $SNAPDIR
    cp -al $RSYNCDIR $SNAPSDIR