Help Centre › Plesk Panel › Importing and Exporting Databases in Plesk
¶ Importing and Exporting Databases in Plesk
This databases guide walks UK Plesk users through Importing and Exporting Databases on Plesk Obsidian. Steps apply to any managed Plesk hosting plan — including smartxhosting.uk/web-apps where Plesk is bundled with EU data-centre hosting, free SSL, daily backups, WP Toolkit and UK business-hours support.
Why Import and Export Your Database · Exporting a Database via Plesk · Exporting a Database via phpMyAdmin · Importing a Database via Plesk · Importing a Database via phpMyAdmin · Upload Size Limits and PHP Settings · Tips for Large Databases · Common Issues and Solutions · FAQ
¶ Why Import and Export Your Database
Plesk provides full database management:
- MySQL / MariaDB via phpMyAdmin (browser) or direct client.
- PostgreSQL via phpPgAdmin if installed.
- Per-database users with granular permissions.
- Size and query analytics.
- Built-in backup per database.
On smartxhosting.uk managed Plesk, regular off-server database backups run automatically.
Plesk provides full database management:
- MySQL / MariaDB via phpMyAdmin (browser) or direct client.
- PostgreSQL via phpPgAdmin if installed.
- Per-database users with granular permissions.
- Size and query analytics.
- Built-in backup per database.
On smartxhosting.uk managed Plesk, regular off-server database backups run automatically.
Plesk provides full database management:
- MySQL / MariaDB via phpMyAdmin (browser) or direct client.
- PostgreSQL via phpPgAdmin if installed.
- Per-database users with granular permissions.
- Size and query analytics.
- Built-in backup per database.
On smartxhosting.uk managed Plesk, regular off-server database backups run automatically.
Plesk provides full database management:
- MySQL / MariaDB via phpMyAdmin (browser) or direct client.
- PostgreSQL via phpPgAdmin if installed.
- Per-database users with granular permissions.
- Size and query analytics.
- Built-in backup per database.
On smartxhosting.uk managed Plesk, regular off-server database backups run automatically.
Plesk provides full database management:
- MySQL / MariaDB via phpMyAdmin (browser) or direct client.
- PostgreSQL via phpPgAdmin if installed.
- Per-database users with granular permissions.
- Size and query analytics.
- Built-in backup per database.
On smartxhosting.uk managed Plesk, regular off-server database backups run automatically.
¶ Upload Size Limits and PHP Settings
Plesk PHP management:
- Multiple PHP versions available per domain (7.4 to 8.3).
- PHP-FPM handler (recommended) runs each site in its own pool.
- Tune memory_limit, max_execution_time, upload_max_filesize.
- OPcache acceleration enabled by default on smartxhosting.uk.
- Error logs per domain in Plesk → Logs.
- Keep Plesk updated — critical patches land monthly. On smartxhosting.uk this is managed automatically.
- Use the built-in Let’s Encrypt SSL on every domain — free, auto-renewing, and required for trust on UK consumer sites.
- Enable daily backups and test a restore once a quarter to confirm they work.
- Turn on Fail2ban and limit panel login to known IP ranges if you are the only admin.
- Choose the lowest-risk PHP version that still supports your application — PHP 8.3 is the current stable default.
- Document any non-standard settings (custom Apache directives, manually-tuned PHP-FPM) for continuity if your team changes.
- Under UK GDPR, include hosting logs and backups in your data-processing inventory.
¶ Common Issues and Solutions
Apply this fix:
- Open Plesk and navigate to the relevant section for the failure.
- Apply the specific change indicated in the heading — restart service, correct a setting, or rebuild the affected component.
- Test the issue has been resolved by reproducing the original failure case.
- If resolved, note any preventive steps for the future.
UK note: smartxhosting.uk support can apply this fix on your behalf from the server side if needed — open a ticket from the client area.
Plesk hosting for UK businessesGet managed Plesk Obsidian hosting from
smartxhosting.uk/web-apps — EU data centres, UK VAT invoices, UK business-hours support, auto-SSL, daily backups and WP Toolkit included.
Q: Do I need a specific Plesk licence for this feature?
A: Most features described here are included on all managed smartxhosting.uk Plesk hosting plans. Advanced features (WP Toolkit Deluxe, Developer Pack) may require plan upgrade.
Q: Does this work on both Linux and Windows Plesk?
A: Yes — Plesk Obsidian is cross-platform. smartxhosting.uk runs Plesk on Linux; feature parity is close on Windows but file paths and service names differ.
Q: Is this guide for Plesk Obsidian or an older version?
A: Plesk Obsidian (18.x) is assumed throughout. smartxhosting.uk keeps Plesk on the latest stable branch, so UK customers are always on Obsidian.
Q: How does this feature interact with UK GDPR?
A: Any personal data processed via this feature falls under UK GDPR. Ensure your privacy notice reflects the processing, apply encryption where applicable, and document the processing in your data-processing inventory.
Q: Can I automate this via the Plesk API?
A: Yes — Plesk exposes a CLI and XML/REST APIs for automation. smartxhosting.uk managed hosting allows API access for tasks that do not require root.
Q: How do I access Plesk if I am a smartxhosting.uk customer?
A: Log in to smartxhosting.uk client area → Services → Login to Plesk. SSO takes you straight into the panel.