Any tips for successfully migrating Plex from a Mac to a QNAP?

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a_harold
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Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2021 1:48 am

Any tips for successfully migrating Plex from a Mac to a QNAP?

Post by a_harold »

I've tried a few times now to migrate my Plex Media Server from an old (2009!) iMac to a new QNAP NAS (TVS-872XT) but it's failed each time to transfer my library data. I'm new to NAS's. Any help is appreciated.

My media files and source 'Plex Media Server' are backed up a few times over on other drives.
I recently successfully migrated the very same library data from one Mac to another Mac and it's loaded the libraries successfully... but I'd prefer to use the QNAP to host the PMS and do all the transcoding.

Here are the steps I've gone through:
- Disable Emptying of Trash on Source System (Mac)
- Sign Out and Stop the Plex Media Server on Source System (Mac)
- Install Plex Media Server on the Destination System (PMS V1.21.1 on NAS)
- Sign Out and Stop the Plex Media Server on the Destination System (NAS)
- Copy Server Data From the Source System

My PMS folder is quite large (~220Gb) and I've tried two ways:
Zipping > Transferring > Unzipping of '~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/'
Using 'Carbon Copy Cloner' to mirror '~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/' directly to the destination folders (listed below)

- Copy Additional Server Settings From the Source System
com.plexapp.plexmediaserver.plist
(As far as I've seen this file is only for Mac PMS installs)

- Place on the Destination System
I confirmed using SHH that Plex on the QNAP is installed at:
/share/CACHEDEV1_DATA/.qpkg/PlexMediaServer
That the Library is located at:
/share/CACHEDEV1_DATA/.qpkg/PlexMediaServer/Library/Plex Media Server

In order to make that location accessible via UI...
My first try was to use https://github.com/ukdtom/PMSLibShare to create a folder into which I could copy '/Plex Media Server/'.
My second try (after a full uninstall and reformat of the NAS) was to create a symlink in the Public folder using the following found command:
ln -s /share/CACHEDEV1_DATA/.qpkg/PlexMediaServer/Library/Plex\ Media\ Server/ /share/Public

Both strategies revealed a PMS folder accessible via File Station. I fully copied over the data (which was VERY slow (1–10Mbs through a USB3 drive plugged into the QNAP) it took about 11hours for ~220Gb, even though other NAS transfers are a good speed).
* Note these shared folders only have admin permissions. I don't see any directories owned by plex:plex as listed on Plex's official support page.
** This is also where I assume I'm messing up as I'm not certain I've copied the data to the correct place. After this point each time I've proceeded to:

- Reboot the Destination System (NAS)
- Start the Plex Media Server
- Launch Plex Web App

I see the 'no soup for you' message. My library titles have appeared on the sidebar but are greyed out and can't be clicked on or edited.

- Sign Out and Back into the Server
No change. I still can't click on any media libraries or edit library locations.

...
That's it. If I'm missing something (or if anyone knows why just the PMS transfer takes so long) please lmk. Thanks!
holger_kuehn
Easy as a breeze
Posts: 413
Joined: Sun Oct 20, 2013 11:45 pm
Location: Premnitz, Germany

Re: Any tips for successfully migrating Plex from a Mac to a QNAP?

Post by holger_kuehn »

Your data should be fine. You'll just need to claim the new server.

Have you logged in via WebGUI using the LOCAL address? Something like http://192.168.1.1:32400...

If you want to keep your server you'll need to Copy the preferences.xml outside of that folder, as well. I'll take a look and post back later ...
NAS (production): TS-1635AX FW: QTS 5.1.4.2596 build 20231128
NAS (backup): TS-1635AX FW: QTS 5.1.4.2596 build 20231128
QTS (SSD): [RAID-1] 2 x 2TB Samsung Evo 860 M.2-Sata
Data (QTier): [RAID-6] 4 x 4TB Samsung 870 QVO Sata
Data (HDD): [RAID-6] 7 x 18TB Exos
RAM: 8 GB (QNAP shipped)
UPS: CyberPower CP900EPFCLCD
BACKUP: 10x4TB WD Red using a USB 3.0 Dock
Usage: SMB with rclone (encrypted)

NAS: TS-873U-RP FW: QTS 5.1.4.2596 build 20231128
Data (SSD): [RAID-10] 4 x 1TB Samsung Evo 860 Sata
RAM: 8 GB (QNAP shipped)
UPS: CyberPower PR2200ELCDRT2U
BACKUP: 4TB Synology DS214 FW: DSM 7.0.41890
Usage: SMB, Backup Domain Controller
holger_kuehn
Easy as a breeze
Posts: 413
Joined: Sun Oct 20, 2013 11:45 pm
Location: Premnitz, Germany

Re: Any tips for successfully migrating Plex from a Mac to a QNAP?

Post by holger_kuehn »

Just checked my installation, I've created the soft link to "/share/CACHEDEV1_DATA/.qpkg/PlexMediaServer" before installing. This way any permissions are set on the share as well, can't think about any other issue ....

I've created an detailed post over here (https://dachs.blog/2020/10/24/plex-server-installieren). At the moment it's only German, but I'll plan to add the translation ...
The part you mention "no soup for you" is the english text for the access denied message. I'd been able to replicate it and needed to do two things to solve it:
1. remove the old server on https://app.plex.tv
2. claim the new one on you QNAPS IP, http://QNAP:32400
NAS (production): TS-1635AX FW: QTS 5.1.4.2596 build 20231128
NAS (backup): TS-1635AX FW: QTS 5.1.4.2596 build 20231128
QTS (SSD): [RAID-1] 2 x 2TB Samsung Evo 860 M.2-Sata
Data (QTier): [RAID-6] 4 x 4TB Samsung 870 QVO Sata
Data (HDD): [RAID-6] 7 x 18TB Exos
RAM: 8 GB (QNAP shipped)
UPS: CyberPower CP900EPFCLCD
BACKUP: 10x4TB WD Red using a USB 3.0 Dock
Usage: SMB with rclone (encrypted)

NAS: TS-873U-RP FW: QTS 5.1.4.2596 build 20231128
Data (SSD): [RAID-10] 4 x 1TB Samsung Evo 860 Sata
RAM: 8 GB (QNAP shipped)
UPS: CyberPower PR2200ELCDRT2U
BACKUP: 4TB Synology DS214 FW: DSM 7.0.41890
Usage: SMB, Backup Domain Controller
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