Easy way to migrate from Synology to a new Synology

Plex Media Server NAS & Devices
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Server Version#: 1.14.1.5488
Player Version#:

Good morning, I currently have a DS214play. I’m running out of space on both 4TB discs each, so I bought a new Synology DS418play with two 10TB discs. The maximum supported by the DS214play is 4TB per disk.

I have been reading the options to migrate the Plex database (Migrate metadata from one Synology NAS to another), and I have some doubts. When I get in touch with the Synology technical service, they tell me that in order to migrate everything to a new NAS, I have to insert the two 10TB disks in the new NAS, update the system, and copy and paste the data using File Station-> Tools -> Mount Remote Folder. This allows me to mount folders from one NAS to another. But they add “Unfortunately, Plex is third party software not developed by Synology, we can not support moving the data base to the new nas or have any info on how to do such”, therefore I do not know if this system would work not to lose the database.

  1. I do not know if it would work to clone each 4TB disc on the 10TB discs and add them to the new Synology DS418play.

  2. Is it possible to mount a RAID on the new Synology and run the database? That is, do the movies copied to the new server have to be exactly on the same route on the two servers?

Sorry if I repeat issues already mentioned in the forum, but I am not clear about some issues and I do not want to lose my database, since it has many hours of work, I am a mess.

Thank you,

Fran.

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I thought about performing such a migration when I faced the same challenge (migrating a DSM installation plus data) but decided against it - mainly due a lack of time in case it did not work correctly. Nevertheless, you can simply clone the disks and see what happens. You will still have your 4TB drives containing the original DSM install so you can’t really lose anything but time. I have no idea whether DSM let’s you resize the volume/raid so you might be stuck with a 4TB volume on 10TB drives.

In case you are talking about running both servers and mounting the database via the network, that’s probably possible - but it sounds like trouble. It would be way easier to copy the database over. That said, you could probably mount the db and still have different paths for your media since this is also possible when moving servers. See the “Edit Your Libraries”-section here: Move an Install to Another System.

If you are talking about stuffing the two 4TB drives into the DS418Play in addition to the 10TB drives, you will probably have issues because the 4TB drives also contain a DSM installation (assuming that you install DSM on the 10TB drives).

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Thank you very much for the answers, guys!

Cetteup, what I want is to have one server, not two. The old server would be installed in another house. The DS418play would have the two 10TB disks installed.

trumpy81, thank you so much for your tutorials.

So:

  1. I stop the Plex server in my old Synology. It has two 4TB disks, not mounted in RAID. Done
    .

  2. I make a backup (in my case in Google Drive) of the database, path / Volume1 / Plex / Library / Application Support / Plex Media Server / Done, the database is almost 4GB.

  3. Insert the 10TB disks in the new NAS and set up DSM. I do not want to use RAID.

  4. Mount a remote folder (named “media”) on the new disk 1 of 10TB in the new NAS using the old NAS as source. Then copy the files as needed from the old NAS to the new NAS. Doubt: I have two discs, I do not use RAID, do I create the folder in the two volumes? Do I have to copy all my current file folders to the first 10TB disk? Doubt: If I change the route, when updating the Plex library, will the data be updated? That is, the covers that I have customized will be assigned to their movies, the movies seen will appear as displayed …

  5. On the permissions tab, in the folder “media” make sure the folder you have read / write permissions for both Plex and admin. Then add folders like so, in File Station … Movies on Movies, Music on Music …

  6. Your Q25 is for migrating Plex from other platforms to Synology NAS. I’m not sure if it’s the same for Synology to Synology.

Thank you very much for your help, sorry if the questions are basic but I do not want to lose my database :blush:

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Thank you Thank you so much for helping me, Trumpy81.

Next week I receive the new NAS, when I have it I will review all the steps I have to do, if you do not mind, before proceeding … Your explanations are clear, sincerely thank you very much.

Fran.

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Hi again!

I have just got the new Synology! So my steps, and sorry about my english.

  1. I pray all my prayers.

  2. I set up the new Synology (DS418play), with two disks, each per volumen. Storage group1 -> Volume1 -> Disk1. Storage group2-> Volume2 -> Disk2.

  3. It’s optional, but I prefer stop Plex Media Server and make a backup (Google drive in my case) of the database, path: / Volume1 / Plex / Library / Application Support / Plex Media Server / Done, the database is almost 4GB. Edit: I make this backup on Google Drive because I didn’t see the folder o Windows Explorer neither File Station (see step 18). Next time I’ll make the backup to my hard disk on PC.

  4. On my OLD NAS (DS214play), I have to go to Plex Settings -> Server -> Library: disable automatic library updates, disable periodic library updates, disable empty trash automatically after every scan.

  5. I have to install Plex on the NEW Synology (I have had to update Plex, although I just installed it). Open Plex, skip through the setup wizard and I don’t have to add any libraries. Then I have to go to Plex Settings -> Server -> Library: disable automatic library updates, disable periodic library updates, disable empty trash automatically after every scan.

  6. On the NEW NAS (DS418play), I have to stop Plex from running. On OLD NAS it is stopped since the optional backup.

  7. On both NAS, I have to go to Control panel, Security, Firewall, and Disable Firewall.

  8. On the OLD NAS I create a Shared folder (Control panel -> Shared folder -> Create) for each drive, “Disk01old” on the old disk1, and “Disk02old” on the old disk2, giving these folders read and write access for both admin and Plex. EDIT: I don’t know why I have to do this, because finally I don’t use these folders.

  9. On the NEW NAS I create a Shared folder named “Media01” on the new disk1. And I create a Shared folder named “Media02” on the new disk2.

  10. On the NEW NAS I mount a CFIS remote folder inside Media01 on disk1, and I mount one more CFIS remote folder inside Media02 on disk2. When I wrote the IP address of the old NAS as source for the remote folders I got an error, so I have had to use the net name os the Synology on Windows

  11. On the NEW NAS now I can see inside these remote folders the files and folders that I have choosen at step 10 from old NAS. At this moment I can see them, but they are only on old NAS.

  12. Copy all the files from these remote folders to the NEW NAS: right-click copy, and I copy all the folders and files from the old disk1, and right-click paste inside the Media01 on the new disk1. Again, right-click copy and I copy all the folders and files from the old disk2, and right-click paste inside the Media02 on the new disk2.

  13. After 22 hours I have all the folders and files on my new disks, on the NEW NAS. I do not know if I could turn off the computer or not, so I left it on.

  14. On my old NAS I had on disk1 the video folder, and inside this disk I had the movies (it’s not the best way). So Disk1/vídeo/.mkv files, and Disk1/video/folders/.mkv files. On disk2 I had a folder named Películas, so Disk2/Películas/.mkv files, and Disk2/Películas/folders/.mkv files.

  15. Now, after copying all the files (step 12), I have on NEW NAS disk1/Media01/Movies/.mkv files, and disk1/Media01/Movies/folders/.mkv files. And disk2/Media02/Películas/.mkv files, and Disk2/Películas/folders/.mkv files.

  16. I have differents paths on old NAS and new NAS. Now I have the correct way of storing the media files according to your Q5 Synology FAQ’s page.

  17. According to your Q25, on my old NAS I have to go to /volume1/Plex/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server, copy all the files, and go to the NEW NAS and paste and overwrite all files except for plexmediaserver.pid (I don’t have this file) and Preferences.xml.

  18. I can’t see the Plex folder in File Station, so according to your Q7a on the Synology FAQ’s page in your signature, open DSM Control Panel > Shared Folders and edit the Plex shared folder, Click the Permissions tab, Scroll down the list of users and click R/W for your username and for admin, Click OK to make it take effect, Close and re-open File Station. You are good, Trumpy… That’s Works.

  19. Go to Windows Explorer, Now I can see the Plex/ Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server folder on the old NAS, so copy and paste all the folders inside to Plex/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server folder, on the new NAS, and and overwrite all files except for plexmediaserver.pid (I don’t have this file) and Preferences.xml.

  20. Windows was searching about 30min files… and after that started to copy the library on the new NAS, about 60min more.

  21. I edit the libraries on the Plex Home page, I add the current folders on my new NAS and I delete the old adres, and sabe changes.

  22. I update the library, but… there are not good news… I can’t see my datas: covers, descriptions…

Maybe i didn’t have the path for movies….

My old path was volume1/video. Now on the new NAS i have the movies on volume1/Media01/Películas

The same for disk2: on the old NAS was volume2/Películas, now on the new NAS I have the movies on volume2/Media02/Películas

Any solution at this point?

Thank you!

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  1. I agree, It was a joke.

  2. I think I didn’t format disks, they are new. I think on the old NAS didn’t format them two years ago, I’m not sure. I can see the total capacity. Is there eny way to check it?

  3. Ok.

  4. Just on the new NAS, not the old, ok.

  5. Ok,

  6. Ok.

  7. Ok.

  8. Understood. I didn’t know why I have to do that. It’s not necessary, ok.

  9. Ok.

  10. When I wrote that type of address I got an error, I could not access it, \192.168.1.189\volume1\video doesn’t work, I got and access error, account and password is correct. It’s a share folder, with the correct permissions read and write. Mount in Media01/RemoteNAS01 (or another name). All devices are on the same net, yes.
    I had to write the network name in Windows: /NASDS214play/volume1/video) and then I can see the folder.

  11. Ok.

  12. Ok, next time I’ll do in this way, thanks.

13-20 Ok, thanks.

  1. I did it, but I think I deleted the old file path before updating the library, I’m not sure.

Then, I’m going to uninstall Plex, reinstall, recopy Plex Media Server contents, go to Plex Settings -> Server -> Library and disable automatic library updates, disable periodic library updates, disable empty trash automatically after every scan. I hope Plex be able to re-use the metadata.

Thanks a lot for your time!

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I have uninstall Plex on the new NAS, and deleted Plex folder. I have installed Plex again. I have to updated Plex. Now, open Plex, skip through the setup wizard and I don’t have to add any libraries. Then I have to go to Plex Settings -> Server -> Library: disable automatic library updates, disable periodic library updates, disable empty trash automatically after every scan.

Now I have to stop Plex from running (new NAS).

I have had several permission errors when I tried to copy Plex Media Server folder, so I have compressed in a ZIP file the original folder on the old NAS, and then I shared it by share folder on the new NAS.

I think my error on step 10 was the correct path: /NASDS214play/volume1/video is not correct, and it’s correct /NASDS214play/video.

Now I unzip the folder Plex Media Server.zip, and copy all these folders to Plex Media Server folder (overwrite all files except for plexmediaserver.pid and Preferences.xml), with overwritte option. 30 min for unzipping, and 80 min for copying to the Plex Media Folder (7.8GB).

I run Plex, add the current folders on my new NAS, update the library, and I delete the old path, and save changes.

I have about 1200 movies. Now I can see my own covers in some movies (around 30%), but not in all. But I can see the progress of all of them. I can see covers of films from the old disc 1, from the old disc 2, from seen movies and unseen movies. I can not find a logical pattern to know why I can see covers in some movies and not others. I can see even covers that I customized on the old NAS.

Trumpy, why do you think this can happen? I have the same versión of Plex on two NAS, 1.13.4.5271.200287a06.

At least I have not lost everything …Thank you very much for your help!

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GOOD NEWS!!!

Finally I have almost all the correct covers!!!

I had to click in each library (“movies” and “concerts”) in “update all the metadata”, and not only to wait refresh automatically when detecting changes. Then, most of the covers appeared of the ones I had personalized.) Some covers have not appeared, I do not know why, but it is already solved!

Thank you very much Trumpy for your invaluable help.

Later I will write a post with all the steps (without errors) for clumsy people like me (with two Synology). My next migration will be much easier! :blush:

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# Easy way to migrate from Synology to a new Synology

Once I have managed to migrate the database, I give you step by step everything that needs to be done. Sorry about my english, Im not native.

HOW TO MIGRATE DATABASE FROM SYNOLOGY TO SYNOLOGY, for dummies

  1. Pray if you want, it’s not necessary. Just for following the previous numbering.

  2. I set up the new Synology (DS418play), with two disks, each per volumen. Storage group1 -> Volume1 -> Disk1. Storage group2 -> Volume2 -> Disk2.

  3. You can back up the database, but it should not be necessary.

  4. On my NEW NAS (DS418play), I have to go to Plex Settings -> Server -> Library: disable automatic library updates, disable periodic library updates, disable empty trash automatically after every scan.

  5. Empty to follow the previous numbering.

  6. Empty to follow the previous numbering.

  7. On both NAS, I have to go to Control panel, Security, Firewall, and Disable Firewall. It really is not necessary

  8. Empty to follow the previous numbering.

  9. On the NEW NAS I create a Shared folder named “Media01” on the new disk1. And I create a Shared folder named “Media02” on the new disk2.

  10. On the NEW NAS I mount a CFIS remote folder inside Media01 on disk1, and I mount one more CFIS remote folder inside Media02 on disk2.

  11. On the NEW NAS now I can see inside these remote folders the files and folders that I have choosen at step 10 from old NAS. At this moment I can see them, but they are only on old NAS.

  12. Copy all the files (FileStation better than Windows) from these remote folders to the NEW NAS: right-click copy, and I copy all the folders and files from the old disk1, and right-click paste inside the Media01 on the new disk1. Again, right-click copy and I copy all the folders and files from the old disk2, and right-click paste inside the Media02 on the new disk2.

  13. Wait a few hours, days… according to your database size.

  14. On my old NAS I had on disk1 the video folder, and inside this disk I had the movies (it’s not the best way). So Disk1/vídeo/.mkv files, and Disk1/video/folders/.mkv files. On disk2 I had a folder named Películas, so Disk2/Películas/.mkv files, and Disk2/Películas/folders/.mkv files.

  15. Now, after copying all the files (step 12), I have on NEW NAS disk1/Media01/Movies/.mkv files, and disk1/Media01/Movies/folders/.mkv files. And disk2/Media02/Películas/.mkv files, and Disk2/Películas/folders/.mkv files.

  16. I have differents paths on old NAS and new NAS. Now I have the correct way of storing the media files according to your Q5 Synology FAQ’s page (trumpy81). Next migration will be easier…

  17. According to your Q25 (trumpy81), on my old NAS I have to go to /volume1/Plex/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server, copy all the files, and go to the NEW NAS and paste and overwrite all files except for plexmediaserver.pid (I don’t have this file) and Preferences.xml. Make sure you are copying the files to the correct location. All files and folders in the Plex Media Server folder on the old NAS go in the Plex Media Server folder on the new NAS.

  18. If you can’t see the Plex folder in File Station, open DSM Control Panel > Shared Folders and edit the Plex shared folder, Click the Permissions tab, Scroll down the list of users and click R/W for your username and for admin, Click OK to make it take effect, Close and re-open File Station. (Q7a from Trumpy81).

  19. Go to Windows Explorer, Now I can see the Plex/ Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server folder on the old NAS, so copy and paste all the folders inside to Plex/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server folder, on the new NAS, and and overwrite all files except for plexmediaserver.pid (I don’t have this file) and Preferences.xml .

  20. Empty to follow the previous numbering.

  21. I have to edit the libraries on the Plex Home page, I add the current folders on my new NAS and I delete the old address, and save changes. Edit the library means, open the Plex home page, move the mouse over the name of the library (on the mid left of the page), click on … and select Edit. Then click on the Add folders tab. In there, you need to add the new file path for your library. After Plex has updated the library, go back and delete the old file path from the library. Plex may delete everything in your library if you do not follow this step correctly. Plex will need to re-add your media since the file path has changed quite a bit from the original file path. By keeping the old path and adding the new path, Plex should be able to re-use the metadata, but there are no guarantees that Plex will do that.

Thank you very much Trumpy for your invaluable help!!!

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