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This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- media:plex [2025/12/16 00:07] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
+++ media:plex [2025/12/20 17:17] (current) – privacyl0st
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-= Plex =
+====== Plex Media Server (Physical Host) ======
+This server is the **media hub** of the Trash Panda ecosystem. It manages media libraries, handles streaming, and performs transcoding. While the server is largely internet-adjacent for remote access, it is designed to separate storage and network duties across dedicated interfaces to maximize performance and stability. Proper hardware configuration ensures **reliable media delivery and predictable transcoding performance**.\\
-Covers Plex Media Server setup, library organization, user management, and recommended optimizations.
+This page covers **OS installation, NIC configuration, storage setup, Plex Media Server native installation, and initial configuration**. Detailed library management, remote access, and advanced Plex configuration are covered in their own guides.\\
+===== Role of This Server in the Ecosystem =====
+The Plex Media Server:\\
+  * Hosts all media libraries
+  * Streams content to internal and remote clients
+  * Performs video/audio transcoding, leveraging GPU acceleration
+  * Connects to the NAS via NFS for media access
+By dedicating this physical server to Plex, we:\\
+  * Reduce impact on other services
+  * Centralize media management
+  * Ensure predictable performance for streaming and transcoding
+  * Simplify troubleshooting and scaling
+This server is the backbone of media access — it should be **quiet, performant, and reliable**.
+===== Base Operating System =====
+  * **Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS or newer**
+  * Minimal installation (no desktop environment)
+  * Automatic security updates enabled
+Ubuntu LTS provides:\\
+  * Long-term security support
+  * Strong community documentation
+  * Stability for long-running media workloads
+This server should run **headless** and be administered via SSH.
+===== Storage Configuration =====
+  * **OS SSD:** NVMe SSD1 for OS and system packages
+  * **Data SSD:** NVMe SSD2 partitioned:
+    - 60% mounted at `/transcoder` for Plex transcoding
+    - 40% mounted at `/cache` for Plex cache
+This separation ensures:\\
+  * Transcoding operations do not impact OS performance
+  * Cache and temporary files are isolated for efficiency
+  * Disk I/O to the NAS remains optimized
+===== Network Configuration =====
+This server requires **two physical network interfaces**, following established NIC rules.\\
+==== NIC 1 — DMZ VLAN ====
+Purpose:\\
+  * Administrative access (SSH)
+  * Plex web interface and remote streaming
+  * Outbound access for updates
+Characteristics:\\
+  * Routed
+  * MTU 1500
+  * Static IP recommended
+==== NIC 2 — NFS VLAN ====
+Purpose:\\
+  * High-speed access to NAS for media libraries
+  * Dedicated file I/O for transcoding and caching
+Characteristics:\\
+  * Layer 2 only
+  * Jumbo Frames enabled (9000 MTU)
+  * No routing to LAN or internet
+Segregating traffic ensures:\\
+  * Predictable streaming and transcoding performance
+  * Reduced network contention
+  * Isolation of critical media operations
+===== Plex Media Server Installation =====
+Install Plex **natively on Ubuntu** as a system service. Do **not** use Docker.\\
+Follow these steps on the bare-metal server:
+==== 1. Add the Plex Repository ====
+<code>
+# Install HTTPS transport and necessary packages
+sudo apt update
+sudo apt install curl apt-transport-https -y
+# Add Plex repository key
+curl https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-keys/PlexSign.key | sudo apt-key add -
+# Add Plex repository
+echo deb https://downloads.plex.tv/repo/deb public main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/plexmediaserver.list
+</code>
+==== 2. Install Plex Media Server ====
+<code>
+# Update package lists and install Plex
+sudo apt update
+sudo apt install plexmediaserver -y
+</code>
+==== 3. Verify and Enable Service ====
+<code>
+# Check Plex service status
+sudo systemctl status plexmediaserver
+# Enable Plex to start at boot
+sudo systemctl enable plexmediaserver
+# Start Plex service if not already running
+sudo systemctl start plexmediaserver
+</code>
+==== 4. Configure Firewall (if applicable) ====
+<code>
+# Allow default Plex port 32400 TCP
+sudo ufw allow 32400/tcp
+sudo ufw reload
+</code>
+==== 5. Access Plex Web Interface ====
+Open a web browser and go to: <server-ip>:32400\\
+\\
+**Notes:**
+  * Plex runs as the ''plex'' user by default.
+  * Ensure that ''/transcoder'' and ''/cache'' directories have proper permissions for the ''plex'' user.
+  * If using GPU acceleration, verify that NVIDIA drivers are installed and accessible by Plex (e.g. RTX 3060).
+===== Initial Plex Configuration =====
+**Builder's choice unless otherwise noted**
+==== Plex Account & Online Services ====
+Builder's choice for:
+  * Account login
+  * Online media sources
+  * Authorized web devices
+  * Watchlist
+  * Webhooks
+  * Streaming services
+  * Plex Home
+  * Manage Library Access
+  * Privacy settings
+==== Plex Web ====
+**General Section:**
+Builder's choice
+**Quality Section:**
+  * Video Quality: 8 Mbps, 1080p
+  * Check "Play smaller videos at original quality" (Internet Streaming)
+  * Check "Use recommended settings" (Home Streaming)
+**Debug Section:**
+  * Debug Level: Disabled
+  * Check Direct Play
+  * Check Direct Stream
+**Player Section:**
+  * Check "Normalize Multi-channel Audio"
+  * Remaining options: Builder's choice
+==== Settings ====
+**General:**
+  * Enter Plex Server friendly name
+  * Leave all checkboxes unchecked
+  * Server Update Channel: Public
+**Remote Access:**
+  * Plex behind a reverse proxy may show "Not available outside your network" -- this is normal
+  * Uncheck "Manually specify public port"
+  * Internet Upload Speed: 90% of ISP allocation
+  * Limit remote stream bitrate: 8 Mbps (1080p)
+**Agents (Legacy):**
+Builder's choice
+**Library:**
+  * Scan my library automatically
+  * Run a partial scan when changes are detected
+  * Include music libraries in automatic updates (if applicable)
+  * Scan my library periodically (15 minutes)
+  * Empty trash automatically after every scan
+  * Allow media deletion
+  * Database Cache Size: 256MB
+  * Remaining options: Builder's choice
+**Network:**
+  * Client Network: IPv4 Only
+  * Secure Connections: Preferred
+  * Certificates: configure only if installed locally
+  * Preferred network interface: DMZ VLAN NIC (do NOT select NFS NIC)
+  * Uncheck Strict TLS configuration
+  * Uncheck Enable local network discovery (GDM)
+  * Remote streams allowed per user: 3
+  * LAN Networks: comma-delimited list of local subnets
+  * Terminate sessions paused longer than: 10 minutes
+  * Uncheck Treat WAN IP as LAN bandwidth
+  * Check Enable Relay
+  * Custom server access URLs: https://plex.mydomain.com
+  * Leave allowed IPs without auth blank
+  * Webhooks unchecked unless actively used
+**Transcoder (baseline: NVIDIA RTX 3060):**
+  * Transcoder Quality: Make my CPU hurt
+  * Transcoder temporary directory: ''/transcoder''
+  * Downloads temporary directory: ''/transcoder/temp_d''
+  * Transcoder throttle buffer: 120 seconds
+  * Background transcoding preset: Fast
+  * Uncheck Enable HDR tone mapping
+  * Uncheck Disable video stream transcoding
+  * Check Use hardware acceleration when available
+  * Check Use hardware-accelerated video encoding
+  * HEVC encoding: Never
+  * Hardware transcoding device: explicitly select GPU
+  * Max simultaneous GPU transcodes: 5
+  * Max CPU transcodes: Unlimited
+  * Max background video transcodes: 1
+**Languages:**
+  * Automatically select audio and subtitle tracks
+  * Remaining options: Builder's choice
+**DLNA:**
+Builder's choice
+**Scheduled Tasks:**
+  * Start time: 02:00
+  * Stop time: 05:00
+  * Backup database every 3 days
+  * Optimize database weekly
+  * Remove old bundles weekly
+  * Remove old cache files weekly
+  * Refresh local metadata every 3 days
+  * Update all libraries during maintenance
+  * Upgrade media analysis during maintenance
+  * Uncheck Refresh library metadata periodically
+  * Perform extensive media analysis during maintenance
+**Extras:**
+Builder's choice
+**Libraries:**
+Use the Add Libraries button to point to media paths.