[Plex] How To Install Plex Media Center on Ubuntu

Lawrence

Plex is a software that allows you to manage your media and provides the ability to stream your media while away.

In this tutorial we will be using Ubuntu 16.04, however, you should be able to install Plex on Ubuntu on all our offered Ubuntu and Debian versions.

In Time4VPS you are able to install Ubuntu 16.04 template really easy and fast, with only a few mouse clicks:
 
1.       Login to the Client Area;
2.       Select at the top of the menu the "My Services > VPS" tab;
3.       Press the "Manage" button at the service table;
4.       Press the "Install OS" button;
5.       Choose Ubuntu 16.04 operating system, agree with warning and press "Continue";
6.       Wait for 5-10 minutes and refresh the VPS management page.

Installation

Let’s start our tutorial on how to install Plex on Ubuntu by making sure were up to date before we do our install:

apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

Now, let’s download the Plex Media Server. We are using the current version available at this moment (May 13, 2020) to get the latest version go to Plex Downloads.

wget https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.19.3.2764-ef515a800/debian/plexmediaserver_1.19.3.2764-ef515a800_amd64.deb

After this is downloaded, we can install it with the command:

dpkg -i plexmediaserver_1.19.3.2764-ef515a800_amd64.deb

After the installation is complete do not forget to delete the installation file:

rm -f plexmediaserver_1.19.3.2764-ef515a800_amd64.deb

Connect To The Plex Server

To enable remote access to the server, first, of all you have to log in to the Plex on Ubuntu server on the local network. If this is a remote install then you can connect using the SSH tunnel. You can do it using PuTTY:

Launch PuTTY. Different categories will be listed on the justify side, click on:

- Connection > SSH > Tunnels
- Source port: 32400
- Destination: localhost:32400
- Click "Add"

After setting up the port tunnel, select "Session" from the category list on the justify side.

Enter your server's IP in the "Host Name (or IP Address)" field and click the "Open" button at the bottom right.

Select Yes if prompted with this window:

Login as 'root' when prompted to log in and your port tunnel will be setup.

Lastly, open your browser and go to:

http://localhost:32400/web/index.html

Login to the Plex. If you do not have an account yet, sign up.

Allow Remote Access To The Plex Server

- On the top right corner press "Settings" button
- Choose "Server" tab
- Then on the left menu choose "Remote Access"
- Lastly, press "Allow Remote Desktop".

That's it! You have installed and configured Plex on Ubuntu Media Server to run on your server and be accessible from other networks on all devices starting with smart TVs, phones, computers, and so on.

proj3ctmayh3m

Thank you! Nice tutorial.
Is possible to run Plex Media Server on CentOS 6 template also?

Giedrius

Installing Plex on CentOS 6 is possible, you may try this article from official forum:

https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/132843/plex-media-server-on-minimal-centos-6-5

mikelodeon13

Excellent tutorial. I already have this working for me.

Thank you for the information.