Move Plex Server to NAS

[knichel]

I want to move my Plex installation off my desktop and onto the NAS. I downloaded and installed Plex from plex.tv for my NAS (Synology 920+). When I open the file browser on the NAS and open the PlexMediaServer folder I do NOT see a library folder like I do on the desktop.
Any advice on how to move everything to the NAS? Where to put files etc…

J

[djfriday13]

are you trying to move all of the settings, history etc? Or just start a fresh server on your nas an moving the media to it?

[FordGuy61]

@knichel

I want to move my Plex installation off my desktop and onto the NAS.

The NAS is running DSM 7.x, correct?

Do you still have Plex running on your desktop or at least a copy of the Plex data folder from that system?

See FAQ 26. Read the entire procedure first. It clones the desktop PMS on the NAS (and wipes out any existing PMS installation on the NAS).

You will need to uninstall Plex from the DS920+ first, including the existing PlexMediaServer folder. Choose the “Erase” option when uninstalling.

Synology FAQ - Questions, Answers, and a few How-To's

FAQ 26 - Migrate from another OS → DSM 7 Migrating from another PMS installaton to Synology DSM 7 requires a little bit of up-front work. The basic procedure is: Prepare the existing installation for copying Create a “Plex” shared folder on DSM which will be the base share for importing. Create the folders “Plex/Library/Application Support” Copy the “Plex Media Server” folder and contents into “Application Support” Manually set permissions of the Plex share, and all files in the shared f…

[knichel]

Thanks for the link. I currently have my movie files on a separate mount point (drive) and not under the Library folder within the Plex folder. Should I keep the same setup or move them so they are all under the Plex/Library folder? Which will make the migration easier?

[djfriday13]

media should never be stored in the Plex folder (“plexmediaserver” folder for dsm 7). You can store anywhere else of your choosing. once plex is running, you add library’s by pointing plex to the folder where your movies are stored.

If you store media in the plex folder it will break it. i have my media on the same volume that plex is installed on in a folder called media. Make sure to follow the correct folder structure found here as well.

Naming and Organizing Your TV Show Files | Plex Support

[knichel]

I moved the Plex Media Server folder as suggested into /Plex/Library/Application Support/ then installed Plex but it created a new folder called /PlexMediaServer with AppData/Plex Media Server/ inside. It did NOT find my Plex Media Server as suggested.

Now what should I do? Should I stop the Plex server and move the files into the folder the installer created?

I also noticed that I cannot edit the library location for my movies and tv shows. On the main screen when I click the … I only get unpin and reorder as options.

[ChuckPa]

@knichel

I moved the Plex Media Server folder as suggested into /Plex/Library/Application Support/ then installed Plex but it created a new folder called /PlexMediaServer with AppData/Plex Media Server/ inside. It did NOT find my Plex Media Server as suggested.

What were the permissions you assigned to the Plex shared folder?
Could Everyone read the shared folder? (default permissions)

At this point,

1. Stop PMS

2. Uninstall the package with the ERASE option.

3. Control Panel - Shared Folder - EDIT the ‘Plex’ shared folder.

4. Permissions tab

5. Change “Local User” → “System Internal User”.

6. You now see “PlexMediaServer” listed.

7. Grant it Custom (Full control) – check all the boxes (admin, read, write)

8. OK from that

9. Before clicking SAVE… be certain to “Apply to this folder, sub-folders, and files”.

10. This will grant permission for PlexMediaServer to import all your metadata files. (this will take some time to complete so please be patient)

11. When this completes, Reinstall the package,

12. You will notice it takes longer to “Installing”. This is normal.

13. While you’re waiting, it is importing all your data and moving it (after processing) to the new PlexMediaServer shared folder structure.

Here is the How-To for additional guidance on what to expect.

DSM 7 - Plex Media Server - Release Info & Migration instructions

DSM 6 → DSM 7 Migration Process NOTE: Use the Plex package from Media Server Downloads | Plex Media Server for Windows, Mac, Linux, FreeBSD and More ONLY. Package Center is no longer compatible with Official Release DSM 7.0-41890 and above. Use the following steps then continue below as is appropriate for your configuration. Uninstall the DSM 6 Plex app Control Panel - Shared Folders - Verify the Plex share is spelled “Plex”. If not - Rename it to “Plex-temp” and then back to…

[knichel]

Thanks for the detail. I performed the migration as directed. I now have a PlexMediaServer folder on volume1 along with Plex. The Plex folder is empty except for the migration log. I am assuming this is normal. Can I remove the “Plex” folder now?

[ChuckPa]

1. If you look at file “Migration.log” , you’ll see the details of all the steps taken to import your metadata to the Synology along with the timestamp of each step

2. Now that your data has been imported into PlexMediaServer, you are free to delete the Plex shared folder if you wish or to use it for other things at your discretion.

[knichel]

Thanks to everyone for responding. I have my NAS up and running with Plex moved to it. Life is good.