Plex Media Server installation on Armbian

Introduction: The Future is Open Source

Picture this: Your own media empire, streamed effortlessly to any device you own. Sounds futuristic, right? Well, the future is now, and it’s open source. Combining the flexibility of Plex Media Server with the sleek efficiency of Armbian can give you a powerful home media setup. Whether you’re hosting movies, music, TV shows, or photos, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We’re diving into how to seamlessly install Plex on an Armbian OS, leveraging your hardware’s potential to create a slick, powerful media server that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into the future.

Why Choose Armbian for Plex?

Why Armbian? Good question. Armbian is tailored for ARM-based single board computers, supporting a range of devices with lightweight, performance-optimized Linux distributions. It’s got low overhead, excellent community support, and boasts stability—ideal for a Plex server. Plus, with regular updates and security patches, it’s your reliable partner in the open-source world.

Preparing Your Hardware and Software

Minimum Hardware Requirements

• An ARM-based device (like a Raspberry Pi, Odroid, etc.)
• MicroSD card (at least 8GB) and a card reader
• Stable internet connection
• Power supply appropriate for your device

Downloading Armbian OS

Head over to the Armbian download page. Select your device from the list, download the image file, and you’re halfway there.

Preparing the SD Card

You need a tool to flash the image onto your SD card. BalenaEtcher is a good choice here. Install BalenaEtcher, open the app, select the Armbian image, and then your SD card. Hit ‘Flash’. Simple as that.

Initial Setup of Armbian on Your Device

First Boot and Configuration

Insert the SD card into your device. Power it on, and let it boot. The first boot might take a while. You’ll be prompted to log in with default credentials (typically username: root, password: 1234).

Updating the System

Once logged in, it’s crucial to update your system packages. Open the terminal and run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This ensures you’re working with the latest and safest software.

Setting Up a Static IP Address

For a stable connection, a static IP address is key. Edit the network interfaces configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces

Adjust the network settings as required and save the file.

Installing Plex Media Server

Adding the Plex Repository

First things first, add the Plex repository to get the latest updates. Run:

curl https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-keys/PlexSign.key | sudo apt-key add -

Then add the repository:

echo deb https://downloads.plex.tv/repo/deb public main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/plexmediaserver.list

Installing Plex Media Server Package

Update your package list and install Plex Media Server:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install plexmediaserver -y

Verifying the Installation

Ensure Plex is running by checking its status:

sudo systemctl status plexmediaserver

If it’s active and running, you’re golden.

Configuring Plex Media Server

Initial Plex Setup

Open a web browser and navigate to:

http://:32400/web

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the initial setup. Create your libraries and add your media folders.

Optimizing Performance

Dive into the settings and explore transcoding options. For ARM devices, hardware-accelerated transcoding can be a game-changer. Adjust buffer sizes and enable Direct Play/Stream to reduce CPU load.

Securing Your Server

Security is paramount. Enable secure connections in Plex settings, and consider setting up a firewall on your Armbian device. UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) is user-friendly:

sudo apt install ufw

sudo ufw allow 32400/tcp

sudo ufw enable

Accessing Your Plex Media Server

Local Network Access

Within your local network, access Plex via:

http://:32400/web

Remote Access Configuration

To access Plex remotely, configure port forwarding on your router. Forward port 32400 to the static IP of your Armbian device and enable remote access in Plex settings.

Tips and Tricks for Optimal Performance

• Regularly update both Armbian and Plex for security and performance enhancements.
• Use an external HDD or SSD for your media library to offload reading/writing from the SD card.
• Set up Plex to store metadata externally to save on system resources.

Conclusion: Your Media Empire Awaits

Congratulations! You’ve now got a robust, secure, and efficient media server running Plex on Armbian. Time to sit back, grab some popcorn, and let your media empire shine.