I have PLEX installed currently on a Dell R710 server and just bought a Synology DS918+. I want to move PLEX over to the DS918+. Currently running DSM 6.1.4-15217 Update 5 on the DS918+. Are there any procedures out there for this? I’m willing to do a fresh install on the DS918+, vs. trying to migrate from the Dell R710. I heard it’s a bit easier just to do a fresh install on the DS918+. Any assistance would be GREATLY appreciated!
Which OS is the Dell running?
Thanks for the quick response on this Chuck! The Dell server is running Server 2008 R2.
So, I’m definitely not migrating to the same OS…should have put that in the initial post… sorry.
In this case, move your data and start fresh. Your viewstate information can still be transported so don’t discard the Windows version just yet… Shut it down, sure. erase, no.
If you’ve not formatted (built) the RAID volume on the Syno yet, or are willing to reformat it, make certain to select Ext4 formatting as you go through the process, Synology is pushing BTRFS by default. There have been issues with data loss. some say the option to select isn’t there but I recently put test drives in my Syno to verify and it is indeed there . I think I posted the process but:
- Create the disk group (where you select the drives and establish the RAID. Synology SHR-1 is 1-drive parity and allows 1 drive at a time to be upgraded for more space. (the longest amount of time is spent here). Some folks create 1physical disk per Synology ‘volume’. That largely defeats the purpose of the NAS & RAID. Make one big logical disk (multiple disks per volume)…
- Next you create the Volume (where the formatting is applied). Ext4 here
Once that’s done, I recommend:
- Create shares on the synology which match your Plex Libraries. This makes admin a lot easier.
- Copy the data (will take time)
- If you don’t need IPv6 (99.9% don’t) turn it off in DSM before installing PMS. (control panel - network - network interface - IPv6 ignore/disable)
- Install PMS in package center
- Before initializing it. Control Panel - Shared Folders - Edit (each share). Give user
plexpermission to access the share. (R/W if you intend to use DVR or optimization) - Now open Plex, http://ip.addr.of.syno:32400/web
- Be greeted by the sign-on, Got-It, and setup wizard. If you ever intend to use the old configuration again, pick a new name for this one.
- Depending on how much data you have you might want to create the library sections one at a time and "Optimize Database’ between each section. I do recommend it. It keeps locality of reference in the DB as tight as possible and initial setup time as short as possible. It will keep it from slugging down and not retrieving metadata / posters.
- As the first section is building, finish setting up the server preferences to your liking,.
- When you’re done with this, have verified everything is working correctly, now the viewstate info can be copied over
Chuck, thanks for the great details on that. Unfortunately, I had already began backing up data, and saving system images to my NAS. The configuration is RAID 5 using BTRFS. Will I see performance hits if I try to proceed with the BTRFS? This NAS will be used for long term storage as well. But your recommendation is to reformat using EXT4. Man, why does Synology allow the default to be BTRFS if it’s not reliable?
Don’t destroy your source copy of the data if you can help it just yet. Try BTRFS if you want. If you have any issues, you know what to do.
The most common report of problems with BTRFS are a) the failure of the volume which I informed you of and b) others reporting Synology bugs where new files are not seen automatically (the kernel’s iNotify mechanism).
Why do they do it? Because they’re Synology. They have always marched to the beat of their own drum. It’s been that way for as long as any of us can remember. They have , arguably, the best UI and they know it.
Well that makes sense Chuck! Well, I’d rather go with what’s safe and reliable, especially being that I’m about to be working overseas for several months, and I’ll be remotely accessing everything while abroad. I have some time to copy some things back and reformat. I haven’t destroyed the source copies of data, just for fear of enlightenment to these type issues! LMAO!
“fear of enlightenment” ? you mean “education stuffed somewhere uncomfortable one quarter a t time” ? LOL
If you have fears… back up and do it right now. It’ll be a bear to redo it later.
Chuck, just getting back off the road from business, but I’ve gotten PLEX up and running on my Synology using your procedures. Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you on these results. I’m a field engineer on the road a lot! But nonetheless, you are awesome man! Great instructions and thank you SO much on all the good info, like changing the filesystem of my Synology to ext4, which is more reliable.
I’m glad you’re up and running. I used to do the ‘Flash & Dash’ as well. (Phone rings, instructions given and told driver is on his way, car arrives 10 minutes after I get home to take me to the airport, return X months later having lives out of two suitcases)
BTRFS is still in development. Features are being added to it. This does not, imho, constitute a stable production-ready file system. Any time the driver modules are modified, errors can creep in. I’m not risking my media to ‘freeware Linux development bugs’ for as much as I love and value Linux.
