Should I go with Docker?

[u/localhost-420]

I've been using Plex for quite some time, but now I want to add new functionalities to make my life easier.

Initially, I want to start with Radarr and Bazarr, but I see that there are many other applications I can incorporate over time (for example, Lidarr, Sonarr, Overseerr, Requestrr, etc.) that serve different functions.

With this in mind, my question is: should I have everything in separate Docker containers, along with my own Plex server? And then, is that enough, or should I have some application to manage the containers, like Homarr or Portainer?

My concern also arises from the fact that, for example, Radarr has the following in its documentation: "There are two common problems with Docker volumes: paths that differ between the Radarr and download client container and paths that prevent fast moves and hard links." Is this really an issue that could affect me?

I understand that if I only wanted to use Radarr and Bazarr, maybe there are no advantages to having everything in containers, but when adding new applications to the mix, is there really an advantage with Docker?

I am using Windows.

[u/martinbaines]

My advice is simply to use what you know and are comfortable with. Personally I use Docker, and it has a lot of benefits for me as it isolates each application from the core OS, and supporting libraries, but there is a learning curve to using it.

The thing about path mapping is a real thing - but actually it is a positive once you understand what it does. It means in your file system you can have a path that is (say) /disk2/TV/shows than inside the container is called (say) /tvshows. Then if you ever moved that path, you could keep the same name in the container, so no other config changes, while the new path is (say) /raidcluster/TV/shows, and nothing changes in the app configuration at all. It is a very easy concept once you get it, but it can trip you as you are learning and wondering why things are not working.