# 🎥 Plex Media Server - Media02 (Windows)

## Overview

Plex is a self-hosted media server used to organize and stream movies, TV shows, music, and photos across devices. In this homelab, Plex runs natively on a dedicated Windows 10 Pro workstation separate from the Proxmox/LXC infrastructure.

## System Details

- **Machine Name**: Media02
- **Operating System**: Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)
- **Static IP Address**: 192.168.1.32
- **Startup**: ✅ Auto-starts on boot
- **Installation Method**: Standalone installer from plex.tv
- **Version**: Plex Media Server 1.40.2.8395 (Build 4.146.0)
- **Claimed**: ✅ Linked to Plex.tv account
- **Web UI**: http://192.168.1.32:32400/web

## Hardware

| Component      | Specification                            |
|----------------|--------------------------------------------|
| **Motherboard**| Gigabyte Z170X-Gaming 7                  |
| **CPU**        | Intel Core i7-6700K (4C/8T @ 4.00GHz)    |
| **RAM**        | 32 GB DDR4 (4x8GB @ 2133 MHz)            |
| **GPU**        | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (HW transcode)   |

## Transcoding Configuration

| Setting                      | Value                                    |
|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| Hardware Acceleration       | ✅ Enabled (NVENC on RTX 2060)           |
| Transcoder Temp Directory   | `Z:\` (RAM Disk)                        |
| Transcoder Quality          | Automatic                                |
| Background x264 Preset      | Medium                                   |
| Max Simultaneous Transcodes | Unlimited (default)                      |
| Audio Transcoding           | ✅ Enabled                                |

## Drive Layout

| Drive | Label             | Size (TB) | Model                         | Purpose                         |
|-------|-------------------|-----------|-------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| C:\  | —                 | 0.93      | Intel SSDPEKNW010T8           | Windows OS + Plex binaries       |
| E:\  | PlexMetadata      | 0.47      | SPCC Solid State Disk         | Plex metadata, settings, logs    |
| F:\  | FDriveWDRed6TB    | 5.46      | WDC WD60EFAX-68SHWN0          | Media storage                    |
| G:\  | GDrive            | 12.73     | WDC WD140EFGX-68B0GN0         | TV media (Sonarr-managed)        |
| H:\  | HDriveWDRed       | 12.73     | WDC WD142KFGX-68AFPN0         | Media storage                    |
| I:\  | IDriveWDRed14TB   | 12.73     | WDC WD140EFGX-68B0GN0         | Media storage                    |
| J:\  | JDriveWDRed10TB   | 9.1       | WDC WD101EFBX-68B0AN0         | Media storage                    |
| K:\  | New Volume        | 14.55     | ST16000NM000J-2TW103          | Movies (Radarr-managed)          |
| Z:\  | — (RAM Disk)      | ~7 GB     | RAM Disk                      | Transcode cache                  |

## Library Configuration

| Library | Path         | Managed By | Notes                      |
|---------|--------------|------------|----------------------------|
| Movies  | K:\Movies   | ✅ Radarr  | Auto-import via webhook    |
| TV      | G:\TV       | ✅ Sonarr  | Auto-import via webhook    |
| Extras  | Mixed        | Manual     | Pulls from F:/H:/I: drives |

## Integration

| Tool     | Method                              |
|----------|-------------------------------------|
| Sonarr   | Webhook to Plex refresh endpoint    |
| Radarr   | Webhook to Plex refresh endpoint    |
| URL      | http://192.168.1.32:32400/library/sections/{id}/refresh |
| Auth     | ❌ None (LAN only; token optional)  |

## Access Control

| Method       | Enabled | Notes                        |
|--------------|---------|------------------------------|
| LAN Access   | ✅ Yes  | Full access on LAN           |
| Remote Access| ❌ No   | Not exposed externally       |
| Tailscale    | 🚧 Not yet configured                 |

## Maintenance

| Task                    | Frequency | Notes                                 |
|-------------------------|-----------|----------------------------------------|
| Update Plex             | Monthly   | Check in Web UI                        |
| Restart Service         | As needed | via Task Manager or services.msc       |
| Library Scans           | Triggered | Sonarr/Radarr webhooks                 |
| Metadata Cleanup        | Monthly   | Clear cache/thumbnails                 |
| Transcode Temp Cleanup  | Automatic | RAM disk wipes on reboot               |
| Config Backup           | Optional  | Backup `E:\PlexMetadata` manually     |

## Notes

- Sonarr and Radarr drop completed media directly into Plex-accessible folders
- All drives use consistent paths — no remapping needed
- RAM disk improves transcode speed and reduces SSD wear
- Future: add Tailscale routing or Cloudflare Access for secure remote media access