Hello all,
I am running Plex on a Ubuntu 17.04 vm in my esix server in a docker. I have the issue, that plex stops the playback frequently. Something after 2 hour, something after some minutes. The vm itself runs without any problems.
I have done everything to solve it.
- I have installed the docker new, twice
- I have installed a completely new vm with only plex installed in there
- I have tryed the plexpass and the non plexpass version
I am really at the end and don’t know what to do now.
I will be very thankful for any help or advice you can give me on this matter
Thank a lot
Please clarify the stacking. ESXi mandates it be the host (on the bare metal)
Are you running PMS in docker using a Ubuntu guest of a ESXI host?
@ChuckPA said:
Please clarify the stacking. ESXi mandates it be the host (on the bare metal)
Are you running PMS in docker using a Ubuntu guest of a ESXI host?
Absolutely correct.
Esxi is the host on the bare metal. There I have freenas virtulized pass-through my drives to it. Then I use nfs to share them with Ubuntu and a windows 10 vm. Everything runs smoothly except of plex. This drives me crazy.
Motherboard Asus z10pe_d16
32gb of ram
E5-2620v4 8cores 16 threads. Ubuntu has all cores, and 8gb of ram
Perhaps a ridiculous question. Is the docker truly necessary? If PMS is on Ubuntu and in the VM does this not provide enough isolation? Adding Docker-Plex puts another layer of Ubuntu on top of Ubuntu. It significantly complicates everything because docker creates yet another layer of abstraction and virtualization. Most importantly, each layer of virtualization/ extraction costs you performance which will be needed when transcoding.
All that aside, to see what is happening with PMS, I will need to see your log files (settings - server - help - download logs) as soon as you can after it fails.
Also, service plexmediaserver status as well when failed.
@ChuckPA said:
Perhaps a ridiculous question. Is the docker truly necessary? If PMS is on Ubuntu and in the VM does this not provide enough isolation? Adding Docker-Plex puts another layer of Ubuntu on top of Ubuntu. It significantly complicates everything because docker creates yet another layer of abstraction and virtualization. Most importantly, each layer of virtualization/ extraction costs you performance which will be needed when transcoding.
All that aside, to see what is happening with PMS, I will need to see your log files (settings - server - help - download logs) as soon as you can after it fails.
Also, service plexmediaserver status as well when failed.
I use the docker because of the simple installation and update process. But you are right, this may be a reason for all my troubles. I will setup plex out of the docker today and see what’s happen. If I get another crash I will send the logs and the output of service plexmediaserver status.
Thanks for your support
@ChuckPA said:
Perhaps a ridiculous question. Is the docker truly necessary? If PMS is on Ubuntu and in the VM does this not provide enough isolation? Adding Docker-Plex puts another layer of Ubuntu on top of Ubuntu. It significantly complicates everything because docker creates yet another layer of abstraction and virtualization. Most importantly, each layer of virtualization/ extraction costs you performance which will be needed when transcoding.
All that aside, to see what is happening with PMS, I will need to see your log files (settings - server - help - download logs) as soon as you can after it fails.
Also, service plexmediaserver status as well when failed.
I have set up Plex without Docker and still have problems. Here the output of service plexmediaserver status
Welcome to Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS (GNU/Linux 4.4.0-83-generic x86_64)
0 Software-Pakete können aktualisiert werden.
0 Aktualisierungen sind Sicherheitsaktualisierungen.
Last login: Mon Jul 17 17:48:18 2017 from 192.168.1.80
root@ubuntu:~# service plexmediaserver restart
root@ubuntu:~# service plexmediaserver status
● plexmediaserver.service - Plex Media Server for Linux
Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/plexmediaserver.service; enabled; vendor
Active: active (running) since Di 2017-07-18 19:14:42 CEST; 48min ago
Process: 19249 ExecStartPre=/bin/sh -c /usr/bin/test -d "${PLEX_MEDIA_SERVER_A
Main PID: 19254 (sh)
Tasks: 63
Memory: 2.9G
CPU: 20min 53.610s
CGroup: /system.slice/plexmediaserver.service
├─19254 /bin/sh -c LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/lib/plexmediaserver "/usr/lib
├─19256 /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Media Server
├─19268 Plex Plug-in [com.plexapp.system] /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Re
├─19315 /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Tuner Service /usr/lib/plexmedi
├─19704 /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Transcoder -codec:0 h264 -noacc
├─19739 /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Relay -p 443 -N -R 0:localhost:
└─19744 /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Transcoder -codec:0 h264 -codec
Jul 18 19:14:42 ubuntu systemd[1]: Starting Plex Media Server for Linux…
Jul 18 19:14:42 ubuntu systemd[1]: Started Plex Media Server for Linux.
Jul 18 19:35:57 ubuntu sh[19254]: Connection to 139.162.141.10 closed by remote
Jul 18 19:44:29 ubuntu sh[19254]: Connection to 139.162.141.10 closed by remote
Jul 18 19:56:04 ubuntu sh[19254]: Connection to 139.162.141.10 closed by remote
lines 1-22/22 (END)…skipping…
● plexmediaserver.service - Plex Media Server for Linux
Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/plexmediaserver.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
Active: active (running) since Di 2017-07-18 19:14:42 CEST; 48min ago
Process: 19249 ExecStartPre=/bin/sh -c /usr/bin/test -d “${PLEX_MEDIA_SERVER_APPLICATION_SUPPORT_DIR}” || /bin/mkdir -p "${PLEX_ME
Main PID: 19254 (sh)
Tasks: 63
Memory: 2.9G
CPU: 20min 53.610s
CGroup: /system.slice/plexmediaserver.service
├─19254 /bin/sh -c LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/lib/plexmediaserver “/usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Media Server”
├─19256 /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Media Server
├─19268 Plex Plug-in [com.plexapp.system] /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Resources/Plug-ins-8fa494d15/Framework.bundle/Contents
├─19315 /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Tuner Service /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Resources/Tuner/Private /usr/lib/plexmediase
├─19704 /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Transcoder -codec:0 h264 -noaccurate_seek -i /mnt/media/serien/Grey’s Anatomy/SEASO
├─19739 /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Relay -p 443 -N -R 0:localhost:32401 -o StrictHostKeyChecking=yes -o UserKnownHosts
└─19744 /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Transcoder -codec:0 h264 -codec:1 ac3 -ss 1212 -i http://127.0.0.1:32400/library/pa
Jul 18 19:14:42 ubuntu systemd[1]: Starting Plex Media Server for Linux…
Jul 18 19:14:42 ubuntu systemd[1]: Started Plex Media Server for Linux.
Jul 18 19:35:57 ubuntu sh[19254]: Connection to 139.162.141.10 closed by remote host.
Jul 18 19:44:29 ubuntu sh[19254]: Connection to 139.162.141.10 closed by remote host.
Jul 18 19:56:04 ubuntu sh[19254]: Connection to 139.162.141.10 closed by remote host.
~
also please find attached the log files. I realy hope you can help me at this issues. I have no idea what to do now 
Thanks a lot
I am back in the office today. Yesterday I needed a personal day.
Reviewing your logs I see several things.
- Some of your media is reporting as 25 FPS but is not really 25 FPS.
- Internet connectivity from PMS’s viewpoint drops out and takes 15-30 seconds to return. I see clients dropping off as well. The ESXI -> guest OS -> Docker -> PMS is causing problems.
most items are fine, some are like this:
Jul 18, 2017 19:50:25.084 [0x7f8b897ff700] DEBUG - MDE: E4 - Silberflut: no direct play video profile exists for http/mkv/h264/ac3
Jul 18, 2017 19:50:25.084 [0x7f8b897ff700] ERROR - get - invalid frameRate value: 25.000
@ChuckPA said:
I am back in the office today. Yesterday I needed a personal day.
Reviewing your logs I see several things.
- Some of your media is reporting as 25 FPS but is not really 25 FPS.
- Internet connectivity from PMS’s viewpoint drops out and takes 15-30 seconds to return. I see clients dropping off as well. The ESXI → guest OS → Docker → PMS is causing problems.
most items are fine, some are like this:
Jul 18, 2017 19:50:25.084 [0x7f8b897ff700] DEBUG - MDE: E4 - Silberflut: no direct play video profile exists for http/mkv/h264/ac3
Jul 18, 2017 19:50:25.084 [0x7f8b897ff700] ERROR - get - invalid frameRate value: 25.000
No problem. Thanks for your help. I no longer have installed pms docker. I switched over to a standalone install of plex after your first post from July 15.
Do you know what to do to solve this?
How is your actual connection? hard wired or wifi?
as for Episode 4 “Silberflut” , you must correct the timestamps within the file. This requires it be re-encoded with a tool such as handbrake.
When I perform this task:
- Examine input video bitrate
- Round up to nearest 1000 . Sometimes add 1000 is better.
- Select manual bit rate value, use value from above, and 2-pass processing
- Verify audio is same bit rate or slightly higher.
- Reprocess
you will have a repaired file when it completes. The quality is typically equal. Sometimes you need to attempt again by increasing the manual bit rate value you specified.
My server is attached to my router directly with cable (1gb)
You mean the episode Silberflut let pms crash?
No… I am only showing you one of the files PMS complains of.
I am still studying your log files now
When you say ‘crash’, please help me understand. Does it:
a) The processes die (ps -ef | grep -i plex shows nothing) ?
b) Stops responding
a) I have to wait for the next crash to do this command and I will post the output.
b) the playback stops there are the 3 points on the screen and I have to restart plex manually by service plexmediaplayer restart. Ubuntu itself runs without a problem. Also the oder apps I have installed by side plex e. G. Plexpy
@ChuckPA said:
No… I am only showing you one of the files PMS complains of.
I am still studying your log files now
When you say ‘crash’, please help me understand. Does it:
a) The processes die (ps -ef | grep -i plex shows nothing) ?
b) Stops responding
If it will help we can do a teamviewer session and you can check my installation directly?
What other plug-ins (apps) are you running?
@ChuckPA said:
What other plug-ins (apps) are you running?
On plex itself only muvio. By side plex I have plexpy, TeamSpeak, pyload and Portainer. All running as docker.
Would you please make a full snapshot (tar.gz) of the Logs directory, including the plug-ins, and attach that here?
I knew something was missing. PMS logs don’t include 3rd party plug-ins.
Now or I have to watch for the next “crash”? Can you please give me the whole command to do the snapshots? I don’t know it and I will provide you the right things you need to find the problem. Sorry 
No. I do not need you to watch until the next crash . NO NO NO… I would only like to see the Logs directory in full.
sudo tar cfz /tmp/Logs.tgz "/var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Logs"
Attach the file /tmp/Logs.tgz please.
If we really need to, I can use teamviewer. I’m trying to avoid the intrusion. PMS itself looks fine so it must be in a plug-in
Please find attached the logfile.
One other thing I have forgott to say: since I have installed plex stand alone (not as docker) and I restart my ubuntu-vm, and enter the plex homescreen, there are no file librarys. The server name “Ubuntu” is running (I called my server “Plex” . I have to restart plex manually by “service plexmediaserver restart” and then everyting seems ok. But sometimes the settings of the hostet acounts of my friends are gone ("0 librarys shared) and i have to share the librarys again whith them… I hope you can undnerstand what I am try to explain
