Plex Media Server installation on CentOS

Introduction: Enter the Media Kingdom

Welcome, media mogul. You’re about to take a giant leap into the future of entertainment with Plex Media Server. This awesome toolkit transforms your media consumption experience, consolidating all your shows, movies, music, and photos in one sleek, accessible interface. And why build your media empire on CentOS, you ask? Simple. CentOS offers robust performance, stability, and rock-solid security. It’s like choosing a Stark suit—reliable, resilient, and designed for efficiency.

Pre-Installation Preparations: Suit Up Your CentOS

Before diving into the installation, let’s make sure your system is ready to handle the awesomeness that is Plex.

System Requirements and Prerequisites

First off, your CentOS machine needs to meet a few requirements:

• 64-bit CentOS 7 or higher
• At least 2GB of RAM (4GB recommended)
• 10GB of storage for Plex and your media (but more is always better)

Updating CentOS

Before you start, ensure your CentOS is completely up to date. Open your terminal and run:

sudo yum update -y

Boom. Your system is as fresh as it gets.

Installing Required Dependencies

You’ll need a few dependencies to get Plex Media Server up and running. Install them using:

sudo yum install -y epel-release
sudo yum install -y libcurl-devel

Installing Plex Media Server: Your First Arc Reactor

Downloading Plex Media Server

Download the latest RPM package for Plex Media Server. Navigate to Plex’s official downloads page and grab the link for CentOS. Then, use `wget` to download it:

wget https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.24.2.4973-2b1b51db9/redhat/plexmediaserver-1.24.2.4973-2b1b51db9.x86_64.rpm

Installing Plex Via RPM

Next, you’ll need to install the downloaded RPM package:

sudo yum install -y plexmediaserver-1.24.2.4973-2b1b51db9.x86_64.rpm

Initial Configuration Steps

Start Plex Media Server with:

sudo systemctl start plexmediaserver

Enable Plex to start on boot:

sudo systemctl enable plexmediaserver

Verify the service is running:

sudo systemctl status plexmediaserver

Boom. Your server should be up and running. Access the web interface by navigating to:

http://your_server_ip:32400/web

Proceed with the guided setup, create your admin account, and link to your Plex account.

Firewall Configuration: Fortress of Solitude

Opening Necessary Ports for Plex

Plex needs specific ports open to function correctly:

1. TCP 32400 (for the web interface)
2. UDP 1900
3. UDP 5353
4. TCP 32469

Open these ports with:

sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=32400/tcp --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=1900/udp --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=5353/udp --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=32469/tcp --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

Verifying Firewall Settings

Check that the necessary ports are open with:

sudo firewall-cmd --list-all

Optimizing Performance: The Super Soldier Serum

Tips and Tricks to Optimize Server Performance

Let’s tweak your server for optimal performance. Adjust the transcoder settings in the Plex interface to reduce CPU usage. Navigate to `Settings` > `Server` > `Transcoder`, and set the Transcoder quality to “Automatic” or “Prefer higher speed encoding”.

Configuring Plex for Better Streaming Quality

Ensure you have a solid network connection. Use ethernet instead of Wi-Fi if possible. Optimize your video quality settings based on your viewing devices. Go to `Settings` > `Server` > `Remote Access` and enable “Show Advanced”. Adjust the Remote Quality settings to match your internet upload speeds.

Adding Media Libraries: Building Your Lexicon

How to Add and Organize Media Libraries

Navigate to Plex’s web interface and go to `Libraries` > `Add Library`. Choose your media type (movies, TV shows, music), and point Plex to the directory where your media resides.

Best Practices for Metadata and Artwork

For better organization, ensure your media files are properly named. Use Plex’s naming conventions for TV shows, movies, and music to ensure perfect metadata grabs. Consider enabling “Local Media Assets” in `Settings` > `Library` to use embedded artwork and metadata.

Remote Access: The Iron Legion

Setting Up Plex for Remote Access

Enable Remote Access by navigating to `Settings` > `Server` > `Remote Access`. Plex will attempt to configure port forwarding; if it fails, set up your router manually. Ensure TCP port 32400 is forwarded to your server’s IP address.

Security Considerations

For enhanced security, use SSL certificates and secure your account with a strong password. Enable 2-Factor Authentication in your Plex account settings to add an extra layer of protection.

Wrap Up: The Final Frontier

And there you have it—your very own media kingdom, powered by Plex on CentOS. We journeyed through system preparations, installation, configuration, and optimization. Now, it’s your move. Explore, experiment, and elevate your media experience to the next level. Welcome to the future.