Accessing Media Files Located on NAS #2 for Plex Media Server Installed on NAS #1

[sparkie001]

Server Version#: 1.25.9.5721

I have PMS successfully installed on NAS #1, a Synology DS918+
I run PMS from NAS #1 in a Chrome browser tab on Win10 Desktop
I have sucessfully added TV Shows to PMS that reside on the same NAS
→ I cannot get PMS to recognize NAS #2 on the same network, a Synology DS916+ to add more media files

*NAS #2 is mapped as drive Y in Windows 10 desktop
*I added plex as a user to NAS #2, using the same password as my overall NAS login and with R/W access to the media folders.

• The shared folders containing media have R/W permissions with plex listed as a “local user”.
• plex user does not appear under “System internal user”

What am I missing? NAS #2 does not appear when trying to add the path in Managing Libraries. Everything has been rebooted. All devices are on the same wired network.

Thanks, Steve

[ChuckPa]

Your Windows computer is not part of the equation – ignore it.

1. On both NAS systems, make sure the NFS service is enabled.
2. On the NAS running PMS
3. Create a shared folder or create a mount point folder in an existing shared folder where you’d like the media to be mounted.
4. Open FileStation
5. Get into the shared folder where you’re going to moint
6. Tools → Mount Remote Folder → Supply the following info
   a. IPaddress:/volumeX/path/to/media
   b. Mount to location
   c. Check the box to automatically mount at startup

It looks like this. Your values will be different:

If you have permission problems with Plex from this side,
Go to the other NAS and grant the permissions for Plex.

Your username isn’t important because Plex (DSM 6) or PlexMediaServer (DSM 7) is the name which will be accessing the media

[sparkie001]

First, I’m extremely thankful for the quick response!

I enabled NFS on both NASs and rebooted
I created a folder and subfolder on the PMS NAS
When I tried to mount the other NAS I get “Connection failed. Please make sure the remote server is accessible via NFS”
Oddly I just noticed the IP addresses as:
PMS NAS 192.168.4.50
Media NAS 192.168.6.82
Not sure where to go next…

[ChuckPa]

Check one more thing.. (sorry for forgetting)

On the NAS which is exporting the media files,
We create a rule for NFS.

I leave mine wide open. (the * specification is a wildcard for everyone on the LAN)

I am curious why two different subnets but if you’re sure — OK.

[sparkie001]

I can now view the NAS#2 files from the PMS NAS File Station, and I can browse to that folder within Plex and add it as:
/volume1/NAS916\040Media/TV\040Shows
But when I save changes and go back to the HOME screen it says TV Shows is empty.
(I deleted the library link to the folders on the PMS NAS to simplify what I am seeing in the libraries)

[ChuckPa]

@sparkie001

But when I save changes and go back to the HOME screen it says TV Shows is empty.

Did you remember -

1. On NAS#2, make the files readable by everyone
2. On NAS#1 (where PMS run), System Internal User “PlexMediaServer” must minimally have Read permission. (if you see the folders but not the contents, this is common indication of insufficient permission to read)

[sparkie001]

On NAS#1 (PMS) using File Station I can vew folders and files on the shared media folder on NAS#2, so they seem to be accessible. If I double-click on a file it prompts me to SAVE AS on my PC. But I realize I’m a different user than Plex.

On NAS#1 (PMS) for that shared NAS#1 media folder l(isted in Control Panel) there is no “plex” entry under “System internal user.” Plex is only listed under “Local users.” (DSM 6.2.4-25556 Update 5)

[ChuckPa]

@sparkie001

no “plex” entry under “System internal user.” Plex is only listed under “Local users.” (DSM 6.2.4-25556 Update 5)

On DSM 6, the username was “Plex”.
DSM 7 forced us to change. To keep everything consistent, we chose “PlexMediaServer”

Please observe as I add PlexMediaServer to my Animated (movies) shared folder.

Right click on the shared folder → Properties → Permissions - Create
Select PlexMediaServer

Now click the Read and Write buttons

Observe it now shows “PlexMediaServer” and “Read” and “Write”
Click Done.

Now click "Apply to this folder, sub-folders and files.

Click Save

Since you don’t have “PlexMediaServer” under DSM 6, Grant permission to Everyone on that NAS.

The server running PMS still must use PlexMediaServer in its permission settings (to make DSM 7 work)

[sparkie001]

Whatever I did it made it worse. No longer visible to add the folders to PMS Library.

@ChuckPa

The server running PMS still must use PlexMediaServer in its permission settings (to make DSM 7 work)

I don’t understand this statement since I am running DSM 6.x

I think I’ll remove PMS and upgrade both NAS to DSM 7 and try again. I’ve taken up enough of your time.

Thanks Steve

[sparkie001]

I have:
Uninstalled PMS
Upgraded both NAS to DSM7
Freshly installed PMS Version 1.25.9.5721 on NAS#1 (Synology DS918+)
Verified NFS service is enabled on both NAS
Created the remote folders on the PMS NAS with automatic mount on startup
Added router reservations to keep both NAS on 192.168.4.xx
Created the NAS rule on NAS#2 (Synology DS916+)
Added permissions to the shared media folders on NAS#2 and subfolders

TV Show episodes on the PMS NAS#1 ARE able to be added to the PMS library.

On the PMS NAS#1 I can view those shared folders on NAS#2 File Station right down to the individual file episode level. But PMS doesn’t see the subfolders containing those episodes. Seems to be a permission problem but I can’t find the error.

[sparkie001]

Apr 13, 2022 09:58:32.011 [0x7fedb93a3b38] ERROR - Error listing directory [/volume1/NAS916_Shares/TV Shows] - boost::filesystem::directory_iterator::construct: Permission denied: “/volume1/NAS916_Shares/TV Shows”

On the PMS NAS:

[sparkie001]

Giving up and switching to use an NVIDIA SHIELD.