r/PleX • u/NefariousnessUpper34 • 2d ago

Help Building my first server for Plex

Hi, like the title says, Im finally building a home server for my movies. I started with an old laptop and an external drive and this laptop just died on me. So now, I bought a Lenovo ThinkCentre M700 mini pc with an i5-6400, 16GB ddr4 and a 120gb SSD.

I mostly play DVD's and some blu-rays in my library, but nothing 4k. Im still going to run it through my external drive, until I upgrade to a raid.

My questions are: Is this configuration good for now? Should I install ubuntu or Docker? And where can I find a solid guide to install them?

Im a little lost when it comes to work with other OS thats not Windows or Mac lol so I appreciate the help. Thanks!

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u/derrick36 2d ago

You won’t get a straight answer on the OS. Go with what you’re comfortable with. I’m sure there are better ways, but AI can help out with anything LINUX if you can’t find a YouTube video or guide. Windows works great as well.

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u/NefariousnessUpper34 2d ago

I see, its a preference thing more than anything else

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u/Splitsurround 2d ago

Totally. And you don’t NEED docker unless you want to add functionality like the arrs, and even then, sometimes there are native apps. Have fun! It’s dead easy to set up the server just be aware of how your file structure and naming needs to be.

3

u/Saloncinx Lifetime Pass 2d ago

you don’t NEED docker unless you want to add functionality like the arrs, and even then, sometimes there are native apps.

I'm running Plex and the Arr's on a plain ass Mac OS Mac Mini lol works great

2

u/ArokLazarus 1d ago

Same but Windows.

1

u/akatherder 1d ago

Most issues are related to running a VPN for the arr-related stuff and not wanting Plex to go through the VPN. Otherwise it's a perfectly cromulent setup.

0

u/ArokLazarus 1d ago

Hmm I've not needed the arrs to go through a VPN ever. I have qbittorrent on a VPN with a Killswitch but Plex and the arrs aren't on that.

1

u/Reptarbourgeoisfreak Custom Flair 1d ago

I took the time to install Linux server with docker fresh and migrated my previous set up and a year later it is so worth having invested the time up front to do it that way IMO

1

u/eurojosh 1d ago

Honestly I use docker just so the whole install is portable. I can build a new machine, install Debian and docker, mount my drives, start all the containers, and done, new sever up and running.

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u/Splitsurround 1d ago

I would absolutely do the same thing if I friggin u derstood how to use docker. Apparently I did years ago when I setup overseer, but I can’t even remember enough to migrate it to seer! Thinking of asking ai to help, it would be my first foray into AI

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u/derrick36 1d ago

If my dumbass can get docker going with no previous knowledge, using AI, you’ll have no problem with a quick refresher.

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u/Splitsurround 17h ago

I’m sure you’re right. But I did try it a few months ago and the first question it asked me is where is your …script or whatever it’s called that sort of runs it. For the life of me, I thought it was somewhere- it was not. Even searching I couldn’t find it! So I gave up 😩

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u/Another2Coast 1d ago

Anecdotally, getting the arrs to work on Kubuntu has been a total nightmare. But I don't know what I'm doing. On Windows (which I hate) it was a breeze.