Hello, got Plex server running on my synology nas using the supplied package in package center and it’s working fine. Just wanted to try and install the docker version as well which starts up fine but then causes an error because port 32400 is already being used by the first server. Is there anyway to have 2 servers running when they both try to use that port and as far as I know you can’t change the port number. Thanks
No, only one service instance per port…
There are different network drivers you can use when setting up a Docker container. Some allow for remapping ports from the host side to the container side. You’d likely need to use this functionality. The bridge network driver in particular allows it. I’m not sure if Synology exposes those features though.
On a Synology, which is usually sufficiently challenged to run 1 PMS instance, why would one even think of running a second instance?
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I wanted to ask that, too. I assumed for testing or similar, but I’m curious as well.
Not on a Syno. The CPUs just don’t have the power.
If you take the J3455, which is VERY commonly used, running one server instance in its 2219 Passmarks is OK.
If you attempt to run a second, you’ve now cut that in half. PMS has a 700 passmark minimum – which is now being encroached on.
Oh, I understand the processing power implications. It’s certainly not something I recommend. Sometimes I just like to answer the question though, in its most basic sense. “Can this be done? Sure, here’s how.” I’m often curious of the why’s as well.
CAN it be done? Yes
DO you have to setup separate name spaces for the TCP/IP stacks? Yes.
SHOULD you do it? Are you as crazy as me? 
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Yep, I just imagine someone coming across this question later with a more capable NAS (multi-core, lots of memory, etc…). There are legitimate reasons why one might want to run more than one Plex Media Server. I for one find that having a dedicated server for DVR functionality is useful.
The short answer is sure, you can do it. The longer answer is more nuanced and depends on use case and available resources.
But in the end, I don’t think I’d ever recommend running two servers on the same hardware, for various reasons.
It comes down to the individual’s Linux skills.
My NAS (DIY) is a Xeon E5-2690v4. There are currently 4 active namespaces running on Ubuntu Server 20.04.3.
The biggest problem I’ve seen with Synology is their “roll their own” kernel and minimalized network tools prevent us from using what their stripped down kernel does provide.
My namespaces are LXC based. I would never attempt to do this in Docker.
LXC virtualizes the OS context. Docker only virtualizes the application. That’s the crux of the problem – you need more than just the application virtualized.
Thanks for all the reply’s. The reason I wanted to try the docker route is because I’ve had it before where synology stops supporting the latest plex server and the only other route is docker. I wouldn’t run 2 servers but just interested to see if it would work.
We are addressing the ‘Lack of support from Synology’ problem.
I think we’re almost done. When done, updates will return to normal.
As for the HDR problem on Synology (and all NAS platforms), that effort is well underway. Getting all those libraries to work on all the specialty kernels is being a challenge but we’re getting there.
When complete, HDR tone mapping will be native to the package.
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