What's installed on your Plex server?
- Plex Media Server 1.43 from the official plexinc/pms-docker image
- Media folder: /opt/seturack/plex/medya (/data inside Plex)
- A server that starts unclaimed, so you link your own Plex account
- Server name plex-sunucum, time zone Istanbul
- Firewall with only ports 22 and 32400/TCP open, with no HTTPS proxy in front of Plex
What size do you need for Plex?
Plex's official page says 4 GB of RAM is typically more than enough, and that Linux installs can often run on less. You can start at 2 GB and look at 4 GB for transcoding. The CPU is what really matters: Plex's guideline gives roughly 2000 PassMark for a single 1080p transcode and 17000 for 4K HDR, says this isn't a firm measure, and multiplies it by the streams transcoded at once. Your library sets the disk size, so add headroom to the total, since transcoding writes temporary files too. Disk grows from your panel but can't shrink.
| Use | Size | Price | Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| A few people | 2 GB RAM · 2 vCore · 40 GB NVMe | $4.51/mo | |
| Small team | 4 GB RAM · 2 vCore · 60 GB NVMe | $6.89/mo | |
| Company | 8 GB RAM · 4 vCore · 120 GB NVMe | $13.62/mo |
Who is it for?
- Plex Pass subscribers who don't want to leave a computer running at home
- People sharing a library with family and close friends through Plex
- Users already at home with Plex's interface and apps
- Anyone browsing music and photos with Plexamp and Plex Photos
What happens after you order?
- Set the size and complete your payment. Your server starts and Plex installs itself.
- Copy the IP address from the Connection address row on the Overview tab of your panel.
- On your computer, run ssh -L 8888:localhost:32400 root@IP-address. Take the password from the Password row and keep the terminal open.
- Open http://localhost:8888/web in your browser, log in with your Plex account and link the server to it.
- In Plex's settings, open Remote Access under Server. If it doesn't connect, manually specify 32400 as the public port.
- Upload your files over SFTP to /opt/seturack/plex/medya, then add a library in Plex using the path under /data.
With every server
- Daily backups included in the price
- Unlimited traffic
- Full root access
- Scale RAM and CPU up or down later, and grow the disk
- Location: Istanbul · IST-1.
Good to know
- A Plex account is required. Watching video needs the server owner's Plex Pass or the viewer's Remote Watch Pass. Neither is included in the price, and you buy them from Plex.
- The server has no graphics card, so transcoding runs on the CPU and Plex's hardware acceleration isn't available. HEVC and 10-bit content need far more CPU, so if playback stutters, switch to formats your device plays directly.
- Plex's terms of service cover personal, non-commercial use. You hold the rights and legal responsibility for the media you upload.
- Linking the server takes an SSH tunnel from your computer, because Plex only lets you claim a new server over a local connection. You only need this during first setup.
- Plex version updates are your responsibility, and the install stays on the version it started with.
Plex questions and answers
Do I need Plex Pass to watch Plex on a VPS?
For video, yes. Plex counts playback as remote whenever the player isn't on the same local network as the server, and that requires a Plex Pass or Remote Watch Pass. The server owner's Plex Pass covers everyone on the server. These subscriptions aren't included in the price, and you buy them from Plex.
How much RAM does a Plex server need?
Plex's official page says 4 GB is typically more than enough, and Linux installs can often run on less. You can start at 2 GB and look at 4 GB for transcoding. You scale up from your panel, and your media and IP address stay the same.
How do I link my Plex account to the server?
On your computer, run ssh -L 8888:localhost:32400 root@IP-address, then open http://localhost:8888/web in a browser and log in with your Plex account. Plex only lets you claim a new server over a local connection, which is what the tunnel provides. You only need it during first setup.
Does Plex work without a GPU?
Yes. Direct play needs no transcoding. When transcoding is needed, Plex does it on the CPU, and its guideline gives roughly 2000 PassMark for a single 1080p transcode. Our servers have no graphics card, so hardware acceleration isn't available and 4K HDR transcoding isn't a good fit.
How do I upload movies to a Plex server?
Upload over SFTP to /opt/seturack/plex/medya, using the Username and Password rows in your panel to connect. Then add a library in Plex and pick the path under /data. For a large collection, grow the disk from your panel first.
Do music and photos on Plex need a subscription too?
No. Plex says the remote playback rule doesn't apply to music and photos, so you can use Plexamp and Plex Photos for free. The rule covers video, such as movies and TV shows.
How do I connect to my Plex server from a phone?
Install the Plex app and log in with the account you linked to the server, and your server appears in the list. Remote Access needs to be on, and port 32400 is open in the firewall. You don't have to enter an address in Plex.