rsync:tldr:c4191
The rsync command is a powerful file synchronization and transfer tool in Linux. Let's break down the given command:
rsync: This is the command to start the rsync process.
-rauL: These are the options/flags passed to the rsync command. Each flag has a specific purpose:
-ror--recursive: Tells rsync to recurse into directories, copying all files and subdirectories present.-aor--archive: Enables the archive mode, which preserves permissions, timestamps, symbolic links, and other special attributes of files and directories.-uor--update: Skips any files on the receiving end that are newer than the ones on the sending end. This option makes the sync process more efficient.-Lor--copy-links: Copies the referent of symbolic links instead of copying the link itself.
${remote_host}:${path-to-remote_directory}: This specifies the remote host and the path to the remote directory from which files need to be copied. Replace ${remote_host} with the hostname or IP address of the remote server, and ${path-to-remote_directory} with the path to the directory you want to sync from the remote server.
${path-to-local_directory}: This specifies the local destination where the files will be synchronized. Replace ${path-to-local_directory} with the path to the local directory where you want to save the copied files.
In summary, the given rsync command recursively synchronizes files from a remote host's directory to a local directory, preserving permissions, timestamps, and symbolic links. It also skips files that already exist in the destination and are newer than the ones on the source.