dump: dump (dump and restore backup commands) dump: dump: Dump examines files in a filesystem, determines which ones need to dump: be backed up, and copies those files to a specified disk, tape or dump: other storage medium. Subsequent incremental backups can then be dump: layered on top of the full backup. dump: dump: The restore command performs the inverse function of dump; it can dump: restore a full backup of a filesystem. Single files and directory dump: subtrees may also be restored from full or partial backups in dump: interractive mode.