@Fumi88 posted a new topic, subject "Plex Media Server Backup using Synology Hyper Backup". It read:

   Hi there,
    
    I would like to backup my Plex Media Server - not my content (I know that needs backing up).
    
    All my preferences, settings, changed artwork etc have taken me quite a while to get just right. So I'd like the quickest way back if there was a major problem.
    
    I use Synology Hyper Backup to create a scheduled back up on a connected USB drive. It works great.
    
    Which files and folders do I need to add to Hyper Backup?
    
    On the support section, Plex says I only need to worry about one preferences xml file.  
    Is that really all I need?
    
    Also, should I stop the Plex Media Server overnight while Synology DMS runs Hyper backup?
    
    Any help/advice appreciated.
    
    Kind Regards

To which @ChuckPa replied

    With all the customization of posters , possibly having uploaded/added your own, the safest backup is one which includes `Plex/Library` and all subdirectories below it.
    
    This does assume you've not placed any media in the Plex share (Seems to be a commonly advertised method – which is incorrect utilization – by you-tube ‘experts'.
    
    That notwithstanding, Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server (and all below it) is best practice.

So @Fumi88 replied

    Thanks for your kind response. I saw on YouTube that people advise that you stop the Plex media Server before backing up anything. Is that correct?

Then @ChuckPa said

    yes. the database is fully quiescent

So @Fumi88 replied

    ChuckPa:
    
    > quiescent
    
    Thank you again. Stay safe.

So @hiptech replied

    This is exactly what I'm looking for so thanks for the info…
    
    Just to clarify, using Synology's Hyper-Backup and running on a daily backup schedule it is NOT necessary to DISABLE the Plex media server?
    
    If it is this would be a real pain unless there is an automated method to do so prior to backup.
    
    Thanks again

Then @ChuckPa said

    If PMS is active, then the database is not quiescent. It's “Open and in an indeterminate state”.
    
    HyperBackup cannot backup anything sitting in RAM inside PMS.
    
    Also, if PMS started anything while Hyperbackup was reading the Database, the backup copy could easily be corrupted.
    
    If you can **guarantee** the backup does NOT run during maintenance AND nobody is using the server (play back state is maintained in the DB – don't forget that) THEN you can USUALLY get away with it running but again, NOT a guarantee.

@Fumi88 replied

    Hello ChuckPa, it's good to see you on here.   
    Slightly off-topic (maybe) - does PMS periodically run a check on itself to ensure integrity?

So @ChuckPa replied

    @Fumi88
    
    It does a quick zwilcox@example.org.
    
    Under normal circumstances, there's no reason for it to check as the DB, SHM, and WAL, are maintained by the SQLite3 libraries

Then @system said

    This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.


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