# Move Plex Server from Linux to Linux VM **URL:** \ **Category:** Plex Media Server\ **Tags:** server-linux\ **Created:** [July 25, 2024, 2:10pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/move-plex-server-from-linux-to-linux-vm/883503 "2024-07-25T14:10:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![texmansru47](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ec8ea/32.png) [@texmansru47](https://forums.plex.tv/u/texmansru47)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2024, 2:10pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/move-plex-server-from-linux-to-linux-vm/883503/1 "2024-07-25T14:10:04Z")
Server Version#: 4.134.2 Player Version#: Today my Plex Server is on a physical CENTOS 7 Server, runs great. Problem I have to upgrade since CENTOS 7 is no longer supported (IE no patches available). I have decided to rebuild the server to PROXMOX VM server and create a Rocky 9 VM for my Plex Server but having the library on my NAS. I cannot find any documentation for a move of this nature as it applies to the external access methods, library change etc. I have found documentation on creating a new Plex Server, and how to re-point the library. But they are vague on key topics. The question I have since this is on a Linux Server, does the Preferences.xml fil contain all these finer details for my present configuration? Are there prerequisites I have to do to prep the move (I know I have to build the destination server first, but I was curious as to the best practices for this type of move… I just can’t find those documents. Any direction to those documents would be great. Cheers, T Wilson Spring, TX ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2024, 5:22pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/move-plex-server-from-linux-to-linux-vm/883503/2 "2024-07-25T17:22:49Z")
One of the beauties of Linux is the simplicity of doing this. 1. Stop Plex 2. sudo bash 3. cd /var/lib/plexmediaserver 4. tar cf /home/PlexBackup.tar ./Library ( I presume `/home` is safe & has enough space for this) 5. Now copy/move “PlexBackup.tar” somewhere safe or directly into the new VM 6. Recreate the equivalent existing media mount points into the VM so PMS won’t know or care that you’ve moved it into the VM. 7. Install PMS in the VM and immediately stop it 8. Restore the tar ball back into the VM’s /var/lib/plexmediaserver 9. Confirm everything is chown -R plex:plex 10. away you go You’re effectively cloning the real machine into the VM. 😉 > [@Linux Tips](https://forums.plex.tv/t/linux-tips/276247/7): > > Backup, Restore, or Clone your PMS installation Backing up your PMS data involves the same steps you’ll need if you were to clone your PMS and take to a new computer, reinstall the operating system, or just want a backup for safe keeping. Making the Backup (General Steps) Stop PMS Invoke the root shell Create the backup image Copy the image to the new system, perform your OS reinstallation, or whatever task you need Restoring a backup image (General Steps) (Re)install PMS itself if on a ne… ---
**Author:** ![texmansru47](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ec8ea/32.png) [@texmansru47](https://forums.plex.tv/u/texmansru47)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2024, 5:41pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/move-plex-server-from-linux-to-linux-vm/883503/3 "2024-07-25T17:41:07Z")
Greatly Appreciated! I will definitely work on that! I have the movies/TV shows in my library copied over to the new NAS so it should be a good place to store them as well. ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2024, 5:52pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/move-plex-server-from-linux-to-linux-vm/883503/4 "2024-07-25T17:52:38Z")
The concept: 1. Mirror the data mounts in the VM to be exact of what now exists / works. 2. COPY all of your PMS instance (tarball) into the VM 3. Adjust for maximum 🔥 🤣 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 5:53pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/move-plex-server-from-linux-to-linux-vm/883503/5 "2024-10-23T17:53:04Z")
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