====== 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**.\\  

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.