Setting Up Linux Mint with Plex Media Server and NAS Automount

When it comes to building a PC for media streaming, one of the most crucial decisions is choosing the right operating system. For those looking for a free and fast alternative to Windows, Linux Mint is an excellent option. In this article, we'll explore how to set up Linux Mint with Plex Media Server and automatically mount your NAS folders.

Automounting NAS Folders on Boot

If you're planning to use a Network-Attached Storage (NAS) device as your media storage solution, you'll want to ensure that your Linux Mint installation can access it easily. Fortunately, setting up automatic mounting of NAS folders is relatively straightforward. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Connect your NAS to the computer via USB 3.

2. Open the 'Disks' application and select the NAS device from the list.

3. Right-click on the device and select 'Edit Mount Options.'

4. In the 'Mount Options' window, add the following options: '-o username=your_username,password=your_password'

5. Click 'OK' to save the changes.

Once you've completed these steps, your NAS folders should automatically mount at boot time. You can verify this by opening the 'Files' application and checking if your NAS folders are accessible.

RDP Server Software for Linux Mint

If you plan on accessing your Linux Mint installation remotely from a Windows computer, you'll need to install RDP server software. Fortunately, there are several options available, including:

1. FreeRDP: A free and open-source RDP client that allows remote access to your Linux Mint installation.

2. Remmina: A remote desktop client that supports multiple protocols, including RDP.

To install either of these options, follow these steps:

1. Open the terminal application on your Linux Mint installation.

2. Install the software using the following command: `sudo apt-get install freerdp` or `sudo apt-get install remmina`

3. Configure the software according to the instructions provided with the installation package.

Plex Media Server and Transcoding

When it comes to transcoding media files, Plex requires temporary disk space to perform the task. To mitigate this, you can create a Memory Disk for transcoding purposes. This will reduce the write cycles on your SSD and ensure that your PC can handle transcoding tasks efficiently.

To set up a Memory Disk, follow these steps:

1. Open the 'Disks' application and select the 'Create Partition' option.

2. Choose the size of the partition you want to create (e.g., 100GB).

3. Select the 'Memory Disk' option and click 'Create.'

Once you've created the Memory Disk, you can configure Plex to use it for transcoding purposes.

In this article, we've explored how to set up Linux Mint with Plex Media Server and NAS automounting. We've also discussed how to install RDP server software and create a Memory Disk for transcoding purposes. With these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating a fast and efficient media streaming setup using Linux Mint.

Desklet linux mint plex media server