Need help with Plex backup using QuTS

[JZ5150]

Hey thanks for getting back quick I was about to run out for a few.

I have not seen that virus link will have to look at it in more depth.

I kinda knew that PlexData was a symbolic link that you got working to give us a savable database. (been following, n thanks for that! I’ve used several times till this last QTS hick-up.)

Don’t know what Shell-Fu is really besides just googling it. I am somewhat noobie to bash… Done a little of Lunix and Home Assistant… Not on any major level.
Is it complicated what ur suggesting?
Thanks again

EDIT Can I get back with you in an hour or hour 1/2 when I get back??? Please

[ChuckPa]

Get back to me whenever you have time.

I’ll help you put it back together.

To help with the commands needed, I’ll need to know how you first made the backup , where it is stored, and its filename.

[JZ5150]

I’m back, I appreciate it!
I created using your tutorial by compressing in file station
I moved it to store in another dir
Do you need the file dir from qnap file station? or move it to a handier place

[JZ5150]

Hey Chuck I guess I didn’t tagged you that I was back

[ChuckPa]

I need to know where you put the file and what it is.

Either /share/CACHEDEVx_DATA/filename.ext or /share/filename.ext notation

The tricky part … How are the pathnames stored in that backup?
Are they absolute paths or relative paths?

[JZ5150]

can you give an example of absolute paths vs relative paths?
I thought about it awhile ago will extracting zip file not solve my issue
Just wondering will the PlexBackup.zip not restore Plex?

[JZ5150]

this is the dir on NAS from file station properties /JZ_NAS_Media/JZNAS_BIN/Plex/PlexBackups/PlexBackup1-2024.zip
so I believe the beginning is: /share/CACHEDEV1_DATA/

This is from Plex Movies add folders: /share/CACHEDEV1_DATA/JZ_NAS_Media/JZMedia/Movies

[ChuckPa]

Let’s see (so I’m not giving you the wrong instructions) how the files look in the ZIP

unzip -t   filename.zip

The first few directory names you see will tell me where we need to be positioned (at the shell) to restore this correctly

If you think you they are full paths, then you’ll see CACHEDEV1_DATA/.qpkg/PlexMediaServer/Library/Plex Media Server

can you please share this info?

How this works.

1. If the pathname it shows begins with / , then it’s an absolute path and we know where it will end up

2. If it begins with just a directory name, then it’s relative path (“start here”, wherever we are, and create below this point)

[JZ5150]

Yah know was thinking the same, maybe I misspoke about what is wrong. I just looked again at a movie in Plex and the artwork seems to be missing. The movie will play, but I have to redo all folders.
gotcha… I will share in a sec

[JZ5150]

processing… we shall see, lol 13 gigs

[JZ5150]

Let me ask you… Should I be using Putty? Should I put in full dir path as well? Putty didn’t do anything after that command and I am at the “Console Management - Main menu” in QNAP

[ChuckPa]

Yes, use putty (from windows) or SSH from Linux / Mac.

Check your PM (upper right)

[JZ5150]

ok thx

[JZ5150]

Hey @ChuckPa wanted to thank you again for the help!!

[broncogr]

The new 5.2.0 Beta for QuTS is now released
Still cant backup the database, and now we cant open the Plex data directory

[ChuckPa]

What does QNAP say about it?

They are the ones who implemented the fix in FileStation.

[broncogr]

Haven’t been in contact with Qnap regarding this yet.
Since you had the initial contact regarding the issue and was promised a fix , could you please follow up with them?
Backup and migration of Plex Server are seriously impaired due to this bug.
Thanks

[ChuckPa]

1. You can always use the built in Help Center → Help Desk feature to contact QNAP.
   They respond within 24 hours.

2. Migrating (AppCenter ‘migrate to’) PMS to a different volume is not impacted by this issue.

3. If QNAP ultimately changes the FileStation functionality permanently then I will have no choice but to remove the convenience PlexData provides.

4. In lieu of this, you still have an alternate method. Please observe.
   – Create a shared folder where you Enter Path Manually
   – – Drill down into the volume where Plex is installed,
   – – For me, it’s /share/CACHEDEV2_DATA/.qpkg/PlexMediaServer/Library/Plex Media Server
   

   

5. When you create this shared folder, you’re doing what I do for you with “PlexData” but you’re using the approved / supported method.
   The unfortunate part of is that it will not change automatically if you use the App Center “Move To” capability and put PMS on a new volume. You’ll need to recreate this shared folder manually again.

6. I recommend controlling access to the shared folder for obvious reasons
   

   

7. When it’s done, it will look like this. You’ll again have access directly into where PMS lives on the volume under .qpkg . You’ll be able to make backups.

8. If you want to adjust the target folder, that’s fine. Do whatever works best with your workflow.

[broncogr]

Thanks ChuckPa for your response

I believe that in Quts you cant create a shared folder through the wizard where you can manually specify the path, unless it is hidden somewhere

Also, I was meaning a NAS migration rather than a Volume migration

[ChuckPa]

You DEFINITELY need to reach out to QNAP for this now.

You’re beyond what we can do.

I would avail myself of the Help Desk, tell them about the bug fix they supposedly put into FileStation for Plex, and then ask why it’s not working as expected.

As for how QuTS/QTS works… say hello to QNAP’s hidden package storage philosophy.