So you’ve heard about Synology and how it can be used as a great media server, but have no idea how to go about it? No worries, because neither did I! Unfortunately the guides I used were broken in one way or another, and I would have to start all over.
I figured I would create a guide on how I used the available guides for a successful install process…note, I’m not going to go through on how to setup the Arr apps after they are installed, just because that’s a straightforward process.
I did not actually create any of the following, just putting it all in one place so it’s easy for others to use! I’m also inviting any critiques for the changes I made!
Before we start doing any installations, install the following:
On your NAS, install Docker and TextEditor
On your computer/laptop, install a SSH provider. I use a Mac, so I already have terminal installed.
Apps I am currently using:
u/xadnem does a great job of explaining what each app does here
Jellyfin – media server. You can also use Plex or Emby.
Ombi – I use this as a discover and request app for new media content ie new movies/shows. Think Netflix. It is synced to Radarr and Sonarr, so that if there is any movie or show I am interested in, I can request it through Ombi. OK for now, but would ditch it in a heartbeat if Jellyfin ever manages to allow discovery and request option. *note, if you are using Plex, you may want to use Overseer instead.
Radarr – your primary movie arr app.
Sonarr – your primary tv show arr app.
Prowlarr – Both Radarr and Sonarr connect to this app as it provides the indexers for both. I also like to use it to manually search for and DL certain torrents.
Qbitorrent – your actual torrent download app. Some may also prefer to use Deluge.
Gluetun – the app that will allow you to use your VPN client of choice, and essentially “syncs” it with Qbittorrent.
Ok, so now that we have that out of the way, let dive in!
ARR apps installation:
I used this guide from trash-guides. Because I wanted to make life for me easy, I went with the automated script option, especially as it will setup the folder structures and app installation for you. Once you setup the home folders and SSH on your computer, you can go ahead with the 2 scripts that trash-guides provides.
When the time comes to install the apps, DO NOT SELECT OR INSTALL qBITTORRENT. We will be doing this separately, as the trash-guides install doesn’t work all that great. Only install the ARR apps you want ie Radarr, Sonarr, Prowlarr, etc.
Just a heads up, if you are undecided about a certain app, go ahead and install it. Its easier to delete the app later on. Unfortunately, re-running the trash-info arr install script deletes all of the former apps, which I unfortunately found out after setting everything up initially.
Qbitorrent with VPN (via GlueTun)
I used this guide from Dr.Frankenstein.
You can skip step 1 and step 3 of the preceding guides (directory setup guide and docker bridge network guide), as the previous trash-guides will already have set that up for you. You do need to perform step 2, however (setup restricted Docker user). Write down the UID, and GID numbers down from the end of this step (for example mine was “uid=1028(dockerlimited) gid=100(users) groups=100(users)”.
Next, go to the Gluetun github and search for your provider. In the Docker compose step, you are going to input the data that you collected for your VPN provider. I’ve attached my own as an example; I recently signed up with Mullvad and chose the wireguard interface, you can use OpenVPN if you want. Note, if you go with Mullvad and request the wireguard private keys, use the ones in the .conf file you download, not the one private key that is on the website itself!
version: "3.8"
services:
gluetun:
image: qmcgaw/gluetun:latest
container_name: gluetun
cap_add:
- NET_ADMIN
devices:
- /dev/net/tun:/dev/net/tun
volumes:
- /volume1/docker/gluetun:/gluetun
environment:
# See https://github.com/qdm12/gluetun/wiki
- PUID=1028
- PGID=100
- TZ=US/Eastern
- LOG_LEVEL=debug
- VPN_SERVICE_PROVIDER=mullvad
- VPN_TYPE=wireguard
- WIREGUARD_PRIVATE_KEY=******
- FIREWALL_DEBUG=off #optional-set to 'on' only for debugging
- VPN_INTERFACE=tun0
#- WIREGUARD_PORT=51820
- WIREGUARD_ADDRESSES= ****
#- SERVER_CITIES=Virginia
- SERVER_HOSTNAMES=us158-wireguard
ports:
- 8888:8888/tcp # HTTP proxy
- 8388:8388/tcp # Shadowsocks
- 8388:8388/udp # Shadowsocks
- 8073:8073 # port for qbittorrent
network_mode: trash-guides_default
restart: unless-stopped
qbittorrent:
image: linuxserver/qbittorrent
container_name: qbittorrent
environment:
- PUID=1028
- PGID=100
- TZ=US/Eastern
- WEBUI_PORT=8073
volumes:
- /volume1/docker/qbittorrent:/config
- /volume1/data/torrents:/data/torrents #optional
network_mode: "service:gluetun"
restart: unless-stopped
As the guide recommends, save the compose file in “/docker/gluetun and call it qbittorrentvpn.yml”.
Continue on to the SSH and Docker-Compose section of the guide and follow it to completion.
Hopefully there were no errors in the last step!
You’re going to go back to Trash-guides, and follow these instructions to setup qBittorrent.
Almost there!
Before you start connecting your apps together, make sure qBittorrent actually works with VPN. First, change the Listening Port under the Tools->Connection to whatever you had listed in your Gluetun compose file (mine was 8888).
Now, go to IPleak.net, and click on Activate Torrent Address detection. Copy the magnet link into qBitorrent. If you see a different torrent address IP being listed vs your actual IP, you’ll know that qBittorrent has been successfully linked to your VPN!
I hope this guide helps! Remember, you still need to setup your arr apps so they communicate with one another, but that is easy! Just use the Trash-infos userguides, they are quite helpful.
