I started way back when with Plex and a USB drive for media. One USB grew to several, then (finally) to a Synology 920+ NAS. Through inertia (aka laziness) I still run PMS from my iMac. What this means is when I travel I have to leave the iMac running if I want to stream a movie to my iPad (if I forget to sync any content).
I’ve recently decided to look into installing PMS on the NAS. Couple of questions:
Where on the NAS does PMS software go? Is there some non-volatile memory for applications to go or does it take up NAS storage space (I ask because my NAS is filling up and frankly just curious).
My current library is not insignificant (2000+ movies and 13500+ TV episodes). Is there a way to move the PMS data/library over from the iMac to the NAS so I don’t have to rebuild everything? Not the media content (it’s obviously already on the NAS)
You’re copying the Plex Data Folder from the Mac to the NAS. There are several steps involved to make sure permissions are set correctly and you do not lose any info in the process (so you don’t have to re-create thumbnails, etc).
On a Synology NAS running DSM 7, the Plex Data Folder is the /PlexMediaServer shared folder (don’t create it, the installer will take care of things). The default location is Volume 1, but it can be moved to a different volume if desired. It will require the same amount of space on the NAS as it requires on the Mac.
Note that you can run both Plex servers simultaneously, including remote access to both. There is no need for a hard cutover. Keep PMS/Mac running as your primary server. Once PMS/NAS is stable and to your liking, you can migrate over.
One additional suggestion. If you have not done so, enable Sync Watch State and Ratings on your Plex account. This will keep things synchronized no matter if you watch something on PMS/Mac, PMS/NAS, another Plex server, or from Plex video on demand. It is a per-account, not server, setting. If you share access with others, they should enable it as well.
You’re copying:
FROM the Plex Data Folder ( ~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server)
–
TO Plex/LibraryApplication Support/Plex Media Server
When the DSM 7 app version is installed
– It looks for an existing DSM 6 installation ( in the 'Plex’shared folder)
– It then does all the work and makes all the changes necessary
– Lastly, it moves everything from “Plex/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server” to “PlexMediaServer/AppData/Plex Media Server”
It’s best to let the installation scripting do the work unless you’re comfortable typing a whole lot of Linux commands at the Synology command line prompt
I should have linked this FAQ because it’s more applicable to DSM 7
Whether Windows or Mac, the work you do on the Synology is the same.
