Lecture Notes: Unraid Installation on Dell Optiplex

Introduction

• Objective: Install Unraid on a 7th gen Dell Optiplex with an i5 processor
• Hardware Setup:
  • 500GB SATA SSD (Western Digital Blue)
  • 500GB NVMe drive (Western Digital Blue)
  • 16GB memory
• Purpose: Use Unraid to run a Plex Docker container and connect to Synology NAS

Synology NAS Setup

• Shared Folder: Media PD
  • Contains public domain movies and TV shows
• Requirements:
  • A media share with user and password
  • Create a user for Unraid install with permissions to Media PD
• Benefits:
  • Existing Plex server on Synology can remain operational while setting up Unraid
  • Use same media on multiple servers

Unraid Installation

• Trial: 30 days free, $59 for continued use
• Drive Setup:
  • Shared cache pool for Docker containers
  • Create a bootable Unraid flash drive (recommend not using SanDisk)
  • Format flash drive to FAT32; label as UNRAID
  • Install Unraid via Windows installer, boot from flash drive

BIOS Configuration

• Settings:
  • Set flash drive as only boot device
  • Enable UEFI if prompted during installation

Initial Unraid Setup

• Login: Default login is root (no password)
• Trial Activation: Purchase a key or start a free trial
• Storage:
  • Use small flash drives for storage array (16GB tested)
  • Unraid requires at least one storage device

Plugin and Application Installation

• Community Applications: CPU, GPU monitoring, and unassigned devices plugins
• Plex Container:
  • Install with paths for TV, movies, and music libraries
  • Configure for hardware acceleration
  • Adjust settings based on available RAM

Connecting Synology Share

• Mounting: Add share from Synology NAS, set auto-mount
• Testing: Verify visibility of media libraries on NAS

Plex Server Setup

• Library Configuration:
  • Create paths for movies, TV shows, and music
  • Use TVDB for series ordering
  • Adjust settings to avoid using local assets

Transcoding and Performance

• Testing:
  • Transcoding tests with Big Buck Bunny 4K video
  • CPU and GPU monitoring during transcodes
  • Enable hardware acceleration in Plex settings

Additional Configurations

• Temperature Display: Change to Fahrenheit
• Remote Access:
  • Enable via TP-Link router
  • Manually forward port 32400

Comparison with 11th Gen Intel NUC

• Performance: Improved transcoding capability with newer IGPU
• Conclusion: 7th gen Optiplex adequate for basic Plex server needs, but modern CPUs handle 4K better

Final Remarks

• Usability: Unraid on old hardware is functional but benefits from modern components
• Video Summary: Covers the installation process and performance tests for a Plex Docker container on Unraid