Request for Input - Change Plex storage structure on Synology

Plex Media Server NAS & Devices
1

ALL:

Now that DSM 7.0 appears to have stabilized, I’m looking at finding solutions to the few outstanding issues we have of which these are well identified.

  1. The PMS data area is not user-facing and makes administration difficult.

  2. Logs are not user-facing unless configured in the installer

  3. Backups cannot be easily supported by Synology HyperBackup.

I have been looking for solutions and believe I might have one which will satisfy all but implementing this solution will bring a change with it.

The change I am considering, for which I request feedback about:

  1. Create Shared Folder PlexMediaServer.
  • Will contain AppData/Plex Media Server below that.
  1. When either installing OR UPDATING PlexMediaServer,
  • If existing DSM 6 data exists in the Plex share, migrate it to PlexMediaServer.
  • If existing DSM 7 data exists in the Synology internal area, silently move it to PlexMediaServer.

What does this change give you: ?

  1. Synology backup utilities will again work.

  2. The administrator will be able to see the shared folder, users will not.

  3. The shared folder may be moved, with a quick reinstalling PMS, PROVIDED
    a. Upper / lower case (camelhump) is preserved
    b. System Internal User PlexMediaServer minimally has R/W permission.

How is this change handled?

  • DSM 6 users upgrading to DSM 7 will see the normal migration but go directly to the new *PlexMediaServer folder structure

  • New DSM 7 installations will directly use the new folder structure

  • Existing DSM 7 installations will pause for a few moments during upgrade or install (must be on same volume) while the data gets moved over. (Same volume moves should be instantaneous)

Potential downsides.

  1. People will still try to put media in the PlexMediaServer shared folder thinking it solves their problems. — It won’t.

  • System Internal User (Service) name “PlexMediaServer” is not in the “Users” group and cannot be added to it.

  • Proper shared folders which grant permission for the service to read the media must be done. There is no cheating. This is Linux not Windows.

  1. AppData is as clear as it can be because I’m borrowing from the Windows terminology. Anyone who places media in AppData gets what they deserve – Failures.

  2. Warnings can again be placed but it’s Abundantly Clear that the Internet Experts know better than the developer how it works and users don’t bother to read.

  3. Risk of annoying the Plex support staff to the point of not being supported because basic design is being violated.

  4. Making a “Media” shared folder, with subfolders for Movies, TV, Music, Photos, and Other Videos -OR- individual shared folders for each type and assigning permissions in Control Panel - Shared Folders might be too difficult.

Requesting:

Please vote below

  • Create the new shared folder structure
  • Keep the existing DSM 7 structure
  • It doesn’t matter.

0 voters

Please leave any suggestions in this thread below that. I am open to discussion and finalizing the Plex implementation on Synology.

EDIT: Merged comment from below

3 Likes
3

I like the idea. It solves the problems you mention in a user-friendly manner.

Any downside?

What happens if someone puts media in the plexmediaserver folder (ex: /plexmediaserver/movies)? Will it cause issues like it does with DSM 6?

As shown by the multitude of “How to install Plex on Synology” videos on YouTube, people ignore the message (in six languages) saying “No Media Here.”

4

Potential downsides.

A. People will still try to put media in the PlexMediaServer shared folder thinking it solves their problems. — It won’t.

  • System Internal User (Service) name “PlexMediaServer” is not in the “Users” group and cannot be added to it.

  • Proper shared folders which grant permission for the service to read the media must be done. There is no cheating. This is Linux not Windows.

B. AppData is as clear as it can be because I’m borrowing from the Windows terminology. Anyone who places media in AppData gets what they deserve – Failures.

C. Warnings can again be placed but it’s Abundantly Clear that the Internet Experts know better than the developer how it works and users don’t bother to read.

D. Risk of annoying the Plex support staff to the point of not being supported because basic design is being violated.

E. Making a “Media” shared folder, with subfolders for Movies, TV, Music, Photos, and Other Videos -OR- individual shared folders for each type and assigning permissions in Control Panel - Shared Folders might be too difficult.

6

@MacInOhio

Let me address each point.

  1. Backup & Restore – Yes. Use the Synology tools. Manual copying , unless files owned by PlexMediaServer:PlexMediaServer will require point 2

  2. Import from another system – Finalizing this because PlexMediaServer is not a Local User and cannot be assigned via the GUI. This might be a step where the package installer and “Full Control” permissions are required but that’s what I’m working on now - the “how it works in all cases”.

7

@ChuckPa Yes give me the silent move option please and thank you; also is the nag EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. about log data when manually installing/updating PMS in DSM7 you guys or Synology (if what you’re doing until all the above resolved, understand 100% just annoying AF it messes with my blind muscle memory lol)

8

@staknhalo

  1. The GUI is a static form written in JSON.
  2. It has no ability to query DSM and fill in any existing values for display purposes.

I provide the option so you can change it.

Think of it as filling out an order form then sending it off in the mail.
It is LITERALLY that dumb.

1 Like
9

ALL WHO REPLIED/VOTED HERE :

I have first-cut (Preview) of the new DSM 7 “Phoenix” edition packaging :rofl:

If you would like to enroll in this first preview (which does work well),

Please state which version (x86_64, ARMv7 Neon, etc) you need.

10

DS414 - ARMv7hf.

13

DS920+ x86_64

14

DS918+ x86_64

15

Ran into a snag in testing. I will update when resolved.

16

DS920+, x86_64

17

DS920+, x86_64

18

DSM 7.0 - Packaging 2.0 - Forum Preview

… is now ready. :pizza: and :beers: at the ready :wink: