Host Plex on a dedicated server: your personal media server
Create your own streaming service: gather your videos, photos and music on a Kimsufi dedicated server and access your media library with the Plex app on your TV, your smartphone or in a browser. High-capacity storage, reserved resources, root access: install Plex Media Server or Jellyfin the way you want.
Why host Plex on a dedicated server?
Plex Media Server organizes your video, audio and photo files, then streams them to the Plex app on all your devices, like a personal Netflix. On a computer or a NAS at home, the limits show up as soon as you watch your media on the go or share it with your family: your home connection's upload speed, a machine running day and night, drives to replace.
In a datacenter, your Plex media server stays online at all times. Unlike a VPS, a dedicated machine reserves its drives and processor for you, which is key for a large library and for transcoding. Keep it for your own content: family videos, photos, music, and movies and series you own the rights to.
Why choose a Kimsufi dedicated server for Plex?
High storage capacity
HDD models offer the space for a vast library; SSD and NVMe drives speed up browsing.
Reserved resources
Processor, RAM and drives are not shared with anyone: your Plex server gets the full power of the CPU for transcoding.
Network and Anti-DDoS
Connection from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps depending on the model, unmetered traffic and Anti-DDoS protection included with all offers.
Full control
Root access and one-click OS installation from the control panel: Plex, Jellyfin, Docker or Portainer, the choice is yours.
Chargement du catalogue…
Which server should you choose for Plex?
A few guidelines for selecting your configuration:
- Processor: with direct play, the file is sent as is and the CPU does little work. When a device cannot play the format, Plex transcodes the video in real time, which puts a heavy load on the processor, especially in 4K. Several simultaneous transcodes require more cores (SYS or RISE ranges).
- Storage: the deciding factor. Choose high-capacity HDD drives for your files, and keep free space for transcoding.
- Memory: a small amount of RAM is enough for family use; plan for more if you run other services.
- Network and location: select a datacenter close to you (France, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Canada, India, Singapore or Australia). The model's bandwidth determines how many streams play comfortably.
For direct play within the family, the KS range is an affordable starting point.
Installing Plex Media Server: the steps
After you order, your server is ready in a few minutes. The typical steps:
- System: select Debian or Ubuntu in the control panel, installed in one click, then log in over SSH.
- Native installation: add the official Plex repository and install the plexmediaserver package with apt; the plexmediaserver service starts automatically and updates with the system.
- Or with Docker: run Plex with Docker Compose or Portainer, declaring the location of your media, the configuration folder and the user (PUID and PGID, depending on the image).
- Account claiming: Plex links to your account from the local network; remotely, go through an SSH tunnel to port 32400, or provide a claim token to the container.
- Libraries: transfer your files via SFTP or rsync, check the permissions on their location, then create your Movies, TV Shows, Music and Photos libraries.
What type of server should you choose for Plex?
A VPS may be enough to test with a small library. For a large collection and several simultaneous streams, a dedicated machine offers high-capacity drives and a non-shared processor.
How do you install Plex Media Server on a dedicated server?
Install Debian or Ubuntu in one click, then Plex with apt or Docker, and link it to your account.
Which ports should you open to access Plex from outside?
TCP port 32400, or only port 443 behind an HTTPS reverse proxy (Let's Encrypt certificate). Then enable remote streaming in Plex.
How do you enable hardware transcoding?
You need a compatible GPU and, for Plex, a Plex Pass; without a GPU, the processor does the work. The RISE-GPU-1 comes with a GPU: check its compatibility. Jellyfin offers it without a subscription.
Does Kimsufi install Plex for me?
No. The server is unmanaged: you install and maintain Plex. Our technical team remains available 24/7 for the infrastructure.