Hey Logan, 

Thanks for your question. Start by making sure that “Plex Data Volume” and “Plex Config Volume” settings for Plex are pointing to the correct datasets (see step 13). If that’s all set properly, you may be running into one of a few things. 

We found that in order for Plex to recognize our media, we had to create subfolders for each individual piece of media and give the subfolders whatever name we wanted the media to appear as in Plex. 

If it’s a folder structure issue, here’s what you can do: Let’s say you want to add Jaws to Plex, for example. Your structure would need to be Media > Movies > Jaws > Jaws.mkv. If you want it to show up as, say, “Scary Shark Movie”, your structure could be Media > Movies > Scary Shark Movie > Jaws.mkv. (Note that changing the folder name will also change what Plex searches for to populate the movie info/poster.) 

Now, if that doesn’t solve the problem, then it may have to do with the permissions for your Media dataset. To check what your permissions are set to, go into the “Datasets” menu on the left, select your Media dataset, and click “Edit” on the permissions box. First, double check that Owner is set to “apps” for both User and Group. Then, make sure that the “Read”, “Write”, and “Execute” permission boxes are checked for both User and Group. 

Let us know if you need help with anything else!

— TechMike

Hey Trey,

Thanks for your question. In the final step of adding a Library to Plex, selecting “/data” during the last step is not actually adding data to Plex; it is directing Plex to look for media within the location, “/data”.

Backtracking to Step 8, we set up 2 datasets; 1. “Plex Config”, for Plex’s configuration files, and 2.“Media”, to store your videos, pictures, and any other content that you want Plex to access.

How does content end up in “Media”? That’s where the SMB share comes into play. The purpose of the SMB share is to be able to easily transfer your media files from your computer and into the “Media” dataset. This dataset is what Plex will access through the designated folder called “data.”

During Step 13, when configuring Plex’s “Storage” settings, you need to check the “Enable host path for Plex Data Volume” and set the host path to the “Media” dataset. By doing this, you’re essentially telling TrueNAS to link the “Media” dataset to the “/data” folder.


Then, when you go to add a Library and hit “Browse Media Dataset”, you’ll need to select the “/data” folder. You’ve set everything up so that whatever is in “Media” ends up in “/data”.


Hope that helps!

— TechMike

Thanks for the question, Dean. It’s important for NIC’s to support more than just the fastest speed to ensure compatibility with older connections and cabling; network environments are diverse, and different devices or network segments may have varying speed capabilities or requirements.

As for choosing the right NIC, your best bet is really just thoroughly researching your system’s requirements. The connection should match with your existing network hardware; however, the components on the servers are easily upgradeable, so remember, you’re not stuck with one type of connection forever. You can add a PCI NIC with a different type and speed of connection and you can change your network switch to match the new connections, be it 10GB Copper/RJ-45 Connections or 10/25/40GB Fiber SFP connections.

— TechMike

Hey Mike,

Great question, thanks for asking! Dell doesn’t have a central directory with that information, but we compiled a table together for Dell’s NDC’s compatible with 12th and 13th/14th gen servers.

Here’s the link to copy and paste if you’d like to check it out:

https://techmikeny.com/blogs/techtalk/you-asked-we-answered-dell-ndc-parts-chart

— TechMike

Hey Zach,

Good catch! Just fixed it, thank you for letting us know.

— TechMike