How to install Plex on Synology DS223 and DS423 using Container Manager/Docker (2023)

Install Plex Media Server on Synology NAS in DSM 7.1/7.2: A Step-by-Step Guide

Plex Media Server is a great tool for managing and streaming your media collection. It is available on a variety of platforms, including Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM), an operating system for network-attached storage (NAS) devices. In this guide, we will walk through the process of installing Plex Media Server on a Synology NAS using Docker, a platform that simplifies application development.notes:This guide assumes that you have installed DSM on your Synology NAS, your media content is stored in folders on the NAS storage, and you have set up Container Manager/Docker. (Docker is the name of DSM 7.1 and earlier versions, while Container Manager is the new branding for DSM 7.2. Both are largely the same, but with optimized changes to the user interface and installation path. Both isolate containers Powerful tool for running applications in Container Manager, making installation and configuration easier Additional Notes: For simplicity, I followed the Docker installation path/method, but many parts of Step 6 have been merged into Container Manager - so keep in mind that the resulting Mostly the same, but there is a difference between them in the page-by-page installation in the installation wizard and the "all configuration options in one window" demo in the GUI. Be aware of this, depending on whether you are using DSM 7.1 Docker or DSM 7.2 Container Manager.

Plex Setup Step 1: Log in to DSM

Log in to Synology DSM from a browser by entering the IP address of the NAS. The DSM interface should appear.

Step 2: Open Container Manager/DockerPackage

Go to the main menu and open the Container Manager/Docker package. If Container Manager/Docker is not installed, you can find it in Package Center. Search for "Container Manager" or "Docker", download and install.

Step 3: Search Plex Images

In the Container Manager/Docker Package interface, go to the Registry tab. Here you will find a search bar. Type "Plex" and press Enter. A list of available Docker images for Plex should appear.

Step 4: Download the official Plex image

Find official Plex images in search results. It is usually called "plexnc/pms-docker". Click on it, then click Download. A new window will open asking you to choose a version. In general, it is safe to select the "Latest" tab. Click "Select" to start the download.

Step Five: Prepare the Container

Once the download is complete, go to the "Images" tab. You should see the Plex image download. Click it, then click Start/Run. This will open the Create Container window.

Step 5.5 - Break! Learn how to properly configure containers

In the Create Container window, you need to set up the Plex container. Here's a brief overview (details below):

• Container name:Choose a name for your Plex container.
• advanced settings:Click on it and select "Enable automatic restart". This means that containers are automatically restarted when they crash.
• Volume:This is where you map folders on your NAS to directories in your Plex container. At a minimum, you need to map the media directory and the directory where Plex stores its configuration data.
• network:Leave it as default.
• Port settings:Plex requires specific ports for access. Container Manager/Docker automatically maps these ports for Plex.
• surrounding area:Plex uses environment variables for certain settings. Most users won't need to change anything here.

However, this is arguably the most important step, and there are many small mistakes that can be made that will (at best) cause your plex container to not start at all, or (at worst) cause your plex container to go into a boot loop. Hard to break and force you to install Container Manager/Docker from scratch! So let's take a look at these individual steps in more detail!

Step 6 - Create a container for Plex in Synology Container Manager

Associate the plex folder and media folder with your docker/container. Use aliases /config and /movie or something like that.

Added variable Plex declaration code. Previous PLEX_CLAIM.

Select the network type ashost

Go to the PLEX URL:Your NAS IP: 32400

If your video is cached, you may need to change the settings file.

Extra - using SSH (if you have a NAS with integrated graphics or want to customize the graphics driver selected by Plex), you can follow this guidehere.Add toVaapiDriver="i965"at the end of the XML. Save and upload to NAS.

Step 7: Start Plex Media Server

After the container is created, you can start Plex by selecting the container and clicking Actions > Start.

This is! You have installed Plex Media Server with Container Manager/Docker on your Synology NAS. To access a Plex server, you must be able to navigate therehttp://:32400/websiteIn the browser replaceUse the actual IP address of your NAS.

Note that Plex performance may depend on the hardware capabilities of the NAS. Therefore, you may need to adjust your settings accordingly. If you run into issues, Plex and the Synology community are great troubleshooting resources. Enjoy your new media server!

Docker vs Container Manager vs Portainer - What's the difference and which one is best for installing Synology Plex?

Synology Container Manager is just a redesigned version of Docker for Synology DSM 7.2. It optimizes Docker's GUI and layout of configuration options available when creating containers. However, Docker and Portainer are two different but related tools in the containerization world.Roustaboutis an open source platform for automating application development, scaling, and management. It does this by using containerization, a lightweight form of virtualization. A Docker container packages an application and everything it needs to run (including application code, runtime, system tools, system libraries, and configuration) into a self-contained unit that runs consistently on any platform supported by Docker . This ensures the same environment from development to production, eliminating "works on my computer" issues. althoughcarrierOn the other hand, it is a management tool for Docker. It provides a web-based user interface to easily manage Docker containers, images, networks, and volumes. It can be used to simplify and visualize tasks that would otherwise require complex Docker CLI commands. It's essentially a Docker UI that allows you to visually manage your Docker environment (local or remote).

In summary, Docker is a technology that allows you to build and run containers, and Portainer is a tool that makes it easy to manage those containers. You can use Docker to build and run your containers, and you can use Portainer to simplify the management of those containers, especially in more complex setups. Both Docker and Portainer can be used to install Plex Media Server on Synology NAS. The best choice between them depends largely on how familiar you are with Docker and how familiar you are with the command-line interface. Docker is a good choice if you are familiar with the command line interface and want fine-grained control over your configuration. Docker gives you more direct control over container configuration, which is useful when troubleshooting or performing advanced modifications. On the other hand, if you prefer a GUI and want an easier way to manage your Docker containers, then Portainer is a good choice. Portainer simplifies Docker container management by providing a user-friendly interface. This is also especially useful when managing multiple Docker environments, as they can all be managed from one place.

For most Synology NAS users, Docker is probably the easier choice, since Synology's DSM already comes with a Docker package that integrates nicely with the DSM interface. Using Docker directly in DSM is easier than installing add-ons like Portainer. However, if you have complex Docker installations or manage multiple Docker environments, Portainer might be worth considering. Ultimately, both Docker and Portainer are tools that can be used to achieve the same end result: running Plex Media Server on a Synology NAS. Choosing between them depends on your specific needs, level of technical knowledge, and personal preferences.

Which is better: installing Plex via Docker or via the application in Synology Package Center?

Both methods of installing Plex Media Server on a Synology NAS (via Docker or via Synology Package Center) have advantages and disadvantages. Which method is best for you depends on your specific needs and technical comfort.

Install Plex from Synology's Package Center:

advantage:

• Installation is even simpler:Installing Plex through Package Center is simple. Just a few clicks and you're ready to go.
• Integration:Installed through Package Center, Plex is seamlessly integrated with Synology's DiskStation Manager (DSM) interface.

shortcoming:

• Update delay:The Plex suite in the Package Center may not be updated as quickly as the official release of Plex. This may result in new features or bug fixes being lost for a short period of time.
• Less control:When it's installed as a default package, you have less control over your Plex environment.

Install Plex via Docker:

advantage:

• up to date:Plex's Docker images are often updated quickly after new releases, giving you faster access to the latest features and bug fixes.
• More control:Docker gives you greater control over your Plex environment, which is useful when troubleshooting or performing advanced modifications.

shortcoming:

• Komplexeres settings:Docker has a steeper learning curve and can be more complicated to install, especially if you are new to Docker or containers.

All in all, if you're looking for a simple, easy-to-setup solution and don't mind waiting longer for updates, Synology Package Center might be the right solution. If you want maximum control over your Plex setup and want to receive updates as they become available, Docker may be the better choice if you want to delve into the slightly more involved setup process.

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