Plex and a reverse proxy, Why?
So I understand the obvious choice for why to create a reverse proxy for Plex.
In order to go to Plex.mydomain.com instead of the IP address.
So that's fine and dandy for not having to remember the IP address for your server.
However other than that why?
If it something for users to much easier connect to your server so that instead of going to plex.tv they go to Plex.mydomain.com?
I don't see how that is easier.
Is it for users to have their streams SSL encrypted?
Is it so you don't have to open 32400 in your firewall?
I can't seem to find a good reason to do this. Is there any performance increases?
please advise, is it worth the hassle to set up and if it is what are the Pros and Cons?
For plex alone? No. No reason for just plex as you can simply use app.plex.tv to get to your plex instance.
And its already SSL protected
I just go to user.dynamicdns.we:port No need for reverse proxy, it's also one of exactly four open ports on my firewall (two VPN servers, and two Plex servers). Also, none of said ports are "standard" for the services provided.
My only externally accessible services are the Plex servers, and everything else is done via VPN for security.
Reverse proxy means only 80/443 need to be opened which are http and https
No need to remember ports and can also be protected by SSL and authentication
Bingo
If you've properly configured your reverse proxy, you will only have to open port 80 and 443 on your firewall. It is more secure because it doesn't reveal what service is behind the subdomain by virtue of what port it's on.
Also yes, you can get an SSL cert for it.
This isn't really a security benefit at all. The banner is going to reveal that anyway - go search for Plex on Shodan. It doesn't matter what port it's on, especially given that Plex is running a webserver anyway. Being on 80/443 are going to be getting scraped for HTTP traffic by default, which will immediately reveal what's going on.
Reverse proxying in this case is simply for convenience. If you want to not have to add :32400 or your ISP is blocking high ports for uncommon services, etc.
So that doesn't answer the final question.
Is it worth the hassle to set it up?
I mean I've read so many issues on setting this up if that is the ONLY reason to do this.
I generally don't see that much of an advantage.
The cons seem to outweigh the Pros