#!/bin/bash
# ==> Script by James R. Van Zandt, and used here with his permission.

# ==> Comments added by author of this document.

  
  HERE=`uname -n`    # ==> hostname
  THERE=bilbo
  echo "starting remote backup to $THERE at `date +%r`"
  # ==> `date +%r` returns time in 12-hour format, i.e. "08:08:34 PM".
  
  # make sure /pipe really is a pipe and not a plain file
  rm -rf /pipe
  mkfifo /pipe       # ==> Create a "named pipe", named "/pipe" ...
  
  # ==> 'su xyz' runs commands as user "xyz".
  # ==> 'ssh' invokes secure shell (remote login client).
  su xyz -c "ssh $THERE \"cat > /home/xyz/backup/${HERE}-daily.tar.gz\" < /pipe"&
  cd /
  tar -czf - bin boot dev etc home info lib man root sbin share usr var > /pipe
  # ==> Uses named pipe, /pipe, to communicate between processes:
  # ==> 'tar/gzip' writes to /pipe and 'ssh' reads from /pipe.

  # ==> The end result is this backs up the main directories, from / on down.

  # ==>  What are the advantages of a "named pipe" in this situation,
  # ==>+ as opposed to an "anonymous pipe", with |?
  # ==>  Will an anonymous pipe even work here?

  # ==>  Is it necessary to delete the pipe before exiting the script?
  # ==>  How could that be done?


  exit 0