A database dump is a file containing a database structure and content. You can use it for backup purposes. In earlier Plesk versions, dumps could be created only using database management tools. Now Plesk offers a quicker way to create database dumps, store them, and deploy previously created dumps on the server.
In Plesk, to export a database dump means to save a source database in a file which can be used for storage or distribution. To import a database dump means to restore data from the file to a destination database. You can import a database to the same or another database server. The only restriction is that the destination database should be of the same type, for example, MySQL.
In Plesk, database dumps are created in the SQL format and saved as ZIP archives. If you need to create a dump in another format or to set custom settings for a dump, use the native functionality of database management tools (phpMyAdmin, phpPgAdmin, or myLittleAdmin). For the instructions on how to perform import and export with database management tools, refer to the tools' built-in help sections.
To save a copy of a database:
To deploy your copy of a database in Plesk:
Note: Alternatively, you can back up a database as part of a subscription during the subscription backup and then restore it separately. See the Backing Up and Recovering Websites section for details.