Plex - Linux - Permissions

Plex Media Server Remote Access
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I’m going to add to the dozens (hundreds?) of posts on this.

I absolutely WANT to use Linux /Plex. My 15 yr old machine can’t run win10. Runs win7 fine but it’s nearing obsolescence.

Linux desktop is easy. Plex server installs easy.

Finding my media files? Not easy.

All this stuff on permissions (pages and pages) is lunacy.

Windows? It is simply is NO issue. Add a library, find the subfolder. Done.

Linux? Craziness

So tell me 2 things -

Why (after all these years) has no industrious plex/linux fan written a simple “wizard” to make this easy?

And if it takes pages of instructions (that from the posts show are not foolproof) to do what doesn’t even NEED to be thought of at all in windows, isn’t that the the same as saying Plex for Linux is difficult at best - and not feasible for most?

I’m far from computer illiterate. Been working with them since DOS. But if something in Linux requires hours of research and trial/error - vs literally being NO issue in Windows, then at best that is a flaw in plex implementation on the Linux platform

Simple solution - as part of the server install, walk through setting permissions on the media directories

Don’t make EVERY user figure it out on their own… Why do that?

Plex on Windows - easy
Plex on Linux - difficult /frustrating/remarkably time consuming

Linux>Windows YES!
Plex on Windows > Plex on Linux. No question.

Prove me wrong without calling me lazy, dumb, etc (which would only prove my point anyway)

I love plex enough to invest in a replacement computer. (a good refurbish is less than $200). But this should NOT be necessary

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Your first read: Make a pass over this, paying attention to how to mount media and get the permissions right. It’s a How-To and tutorial combined.

The top level is here: https://forums.plex.tv/tags/server-linux-tips

Below

Using media in the machine containing your media

Using your NAS (NFS or CIFS) - NFS is native to Linux. Use it if at all possible. It’s easier.

Last, but not least, how to use Linux’s native inheritance feature to keep permissions exactly how you want them automatically from now on.

Lastly, Expecting a 15 year old machine to run here is NOT going to give you blazing performance. Candidly, it may just be too darn slow. Don’t expect much.

What is the CPU in it?

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Thanks much. A couple high level points

My 15 yr old clunker runs plex wonderfully (as long as it doesn’t have to transcode - which is easily avoided by making sure its the right format). I play Blu ray files without any stuttering at all, through a wireless connection no less. I like having a use for that machine

Edit - it’s a celeron 3.3ghz

Edit 2 - ok, not sure when I bought this. The chip came out in 2006. I don’t typically buy when it first comes out, so the machine is probably more like ten years old.

Second, I’m reluctant to reformat the drives away from fat or ntfs (not sure what they are but obviously windows friendly). Very time consuming and if I still don’t get it to work I’d have to do the reverse

It seems my premise is correct though but I’ll add one point. Moving from plex-windows to pkex-linux is chalkenging. Maybe starting out on linux then deciding to try plex would be less so

I love a technical challenge but don’t have the time unfortunately. To be honest, I just want to watch movies, not learn the ins and outs of mounts and permissions

But I’ll try again. It seems I need to address the fact I have a fat or ntfs drive, and go from there.

Thanks again very much for your time and response and help

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THanks VERY much for the additional details.

Yes, as long as you know the limits of the chip, you’ll be fine.

Linux will use your drives as they are - Safe there while getting your footing.

With respect: Linux isn’t the answer to Windows like many believe. Its lower overhead comes at a price. That price is you doing some things by hand. If you use Linux, you need to understand enough to make it work. I hope I’ve given that.

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I’m not OP, just lurking doing some research. Just wanted to say… All of the above information = GOLD, great job and thank you! This will help with my future setup.

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I’m trying linux mint off a USB drive rather than an install. I think that means I don’t actually have a user id. So in the steps for handling ntfs usb drives, I think I’m already stuck

So is it best for me to install rather than “test drive”? I know I can keep windows for the time being.

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if running off the “try me” image, this isn’t going to work at all.
Yes… perform the actual installation, even if to another USB HDD.

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Thanks Chuck. That makes sense.

I think I’ll try that. I have a 64gb flash drive I could use. That should work and be large enough, right?

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A 64 GB flash will likely not withstand the installation because of how the journaling works.

I have burned out several. There is only one grade I can use. Corsair Cruiser GTX or better (SSD grade). I use the 256 GB to distribute the load

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So you’d recommend an actual external drive like a toshiba. I don’t want to buy anything to test it out. I have several external toshibas (1tb or more). I could free one up (I assume it would take over the drive - would need to be reformatted even)

Once I atari spending money, I figure I’d be better off buying a refurbed computer (under $200) and run windows 10 and be done with it

But I’m also considering linux and doing the reformat thing to get them away from ntfs and Linux friendly. Would that be closer to plug and play? Or is there still some mount)/permission etc steps involved?

Chuck - you are grwat, btw!

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Yes, an actual HDD or SSD for the installation. The OS can be installed on this external device as long as the computer searches for it and boots from it before the internal.

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Thanks

(and I had a typo. You’re great, not “grwat”)

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