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

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FAQ 33: How to backup your Synology database

The recommended method of backing up PMS is to use Hyper Backup where the entire server’s files plus their ownership, permissions, including date/time stamp is preserved

This FAQ applies to those who want to backup only the databases.

  1. Create a scheduled task → User Script
  2. It must run as user: root
  3. It emails you the results so you have confirmation
  4. Set the ‘Dest’ folder (keep within quotes) to where you want the backup to go.
  5. The body of the script is as follows:
#!/bin/sh

# Set destination  (Set this value)
Dest="/volume1/My Shared Folder"


# Stop Plex
synopkg stop PlexMediaServer
Result=$?

if [ $Result -ne 0 ]; then
  echo ERROR $Result when stopping PlexMediaServer.
  echo Backup aborted.
  exit 1
fi

# Dest exists ?
[ ! -w "$Dest" ] && echo ERROR: Cannot write to '$Dest' && exit 2

# Get into the databases directory  (this is now volume independent)
cd "/var/packages/PlexMediaServer/shares/PlexMediaServer/AppData/Plex Media Server/Plug-in Support/Databases"

# Create filename using Date/Time  (yyyy-mm-dd_hh-mm)
# Backup
tar cvzf "$Dest/Plex-Database-Backup_$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M).tar.gz" .
Result=$?

# Check result
[ $Result -ne 0 ] && echo ERROR Got exit code $Result from tar.  Please check && exit 

# Restart Plex
synopkg start PlexMediaServer

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