How to migrate Parallels Plesk Panel 9 using GUI Backup Manager ?

Since version 9.0 structure of Parallels Plesk Panel backup has been changed. Plesk backup created with Plesk Backup Manager is not just one file but a number of files and directories under backups directory /var/lib/psa/dumps (DUMP_D):

• /var/lib/psa/dumps/clients - parent directory for backups of clients and their domains
• /var/lib/psa/dumps/resellers - parent directory for backups of resellers, their clients domains
• /var/lib/psa/dumps/domains - directory for backups domains created by administrator
• /var/lib/psa/dumps/.discovered - details of the server backup

For details refer to the following article Backup structure in Parallels Plesk Panel 9.

The restoration from backup is possible only if it is shown as valid (with green mark), in case it is invalid (marked with a red circle) investigation of backup file is impossible.

To migrate data between Parallels Plesk Panel 9.0 you should perform the following steps:

1. In old Parallels Plesk Panel 9 create a server backup with {Home -> Backup Manager -> Back Up};
2. Save the backup in file using option Download backup file to your local workstation (it is floppy disk icon near the backup name);
3. Import the backup file to a new server with the Upload Files to Server Repository option on the Backup Manager page;
4. Restore the backup on the new server as usual: {Home -> Backup Manager -> BACKUP.NAME -> Restore}.

Alternatively you may copy the whole directory /var/lib/psa/dumps with backup data to the new server and restore using Backup Manager in control panel.

1. In old Parallels Plesk Panel 9 create server backup with {Home -> Backup Manager -> Back Up};
2. Copy directory /var/lib/psa/dumps/ to new server. Note: the garbage will be copied also. It is important to copy the directory as a whole, including directory discovered.
3. Restore the backup on the new server as usual: {Home -> Backup Manager -> BACKUP.NAME -> Restore}.

Only the server-wide backup uploaded through the Upload Files to Server Repository option is shown on the Backup Manager page at {Home -> Backup Manager}.
Backups of a reseller, client and domain are shown in the personal backup repository.

To restore client's backup you should create a new client with the same login name. Then upload the client's backup through {Clients -> CLIENT NAME -> Backup Manager -> Upload Files to Server Repository} and restore it in the usual way {Clients -> CLIENT NAME -> Backup Manager -> BACKUP NAME -> Restore}.

The same for client and domain.

If you plan to move backup to a new server manually you need to place it to the same location as on the source server.
For example on the source server domain DOMAIN.TLD belongs to client CLIENT NAME with login CLIENT.LOGIN. The backup was created through {Clients -> CLIENT NAME -> Domains -> DOMAIN.TLD -> Backup Manager} and it is located in the client's local repository:

$DUMP_D/clients/CLIENT.LOGIN/domains/DOMAIN.TLD/BACKUP.NAME_info_0902131949.xml
$DUMP_D/clients/CLIENT.LOGIN/domains/DOMAIN.TLD/.discovered/BACKUP.NAME_info_0902131949

On the destination server you need to place the backup exactly to the same location. For that purpose create a client with the login name CLIENT.LOGIN and place the backup to $DUMP_D/clients/CLIENT.LOGIN/domains/DOMAIN.TLD
Additional information
The procedure of data migration from Parallels Plesk Panel versions 7.5 and 8.x to Parallels Plesk Panel 9 is described in this article: http://kb.parallels.com/en/5864

The migration from other hosting platforms will be available in future version of Plesk Migration Manager.