I currently use an Ubuntu distro (Mint) with Plex installed serving media to my local network. I installed docker last night so I can test out some photo hosting services.
Is there a benefit to running Plex through docker vs the traditional method?
Docker containers are easier to backup and restore since the config folder is easily accessible. Also if your plex server is accessible to the internet it will be harder for hackers to take it over if there’s any possible exploits.
Yep my backup scrip consists of just taring one directory. Pretty dang easy to stand back up
Just out of curiosity, do you backup all the generated metadata too? I backup my Plex folder from my SSD to my unraid array weekly, and it takes quite a long time to get through.
Yep, everything that’s attached to plex I backup (excluding media, that’s done elsewhere). There are tens of thousands of tiny files which is why it takes so long, I do recommend taring it first. The archive must support symlinks which is why I chose tar.
You might want to look at how you’re backing up. Something like BorgBackup or better RSync scripts would benefit this process by only taking differences instead of a full backup. Unless you’re constantly adding and deleting media daily, a weekly Plex backup shouldn’t really take a long time.
Plex is the last thing I don’t have in docker. Will be my next task … maybe. I still want to get rid of my friends windows 10 box running 1 windows only app
Yup! I made the move about 5 years ago and never looked back since. Native performance, and it makes things super portable and very easy to move to another server. Just copy the docker volume and start the container on the new machine.
Super easy to switch between various versions too, if needed. And it also reduces chances of breaking stuff.
