Learn how to run an optimal installation and use PhotoStructure for Synology Docker containers. This guide makes use of Docker, and takes into consideration the needs of a working professional and separating Photo Libraries, such as one for work and one for family photos.
PhotoStructure is a self-hosted photo management program that provides cloud functionality while allowing you to keep data yours. It automatically organizes and deduplicates your photos utilizing lossless methods. System-agnostic, you can take your photo library and run it on Windows, Mac, Synology, Linux, or pretty much any other operating system you throw at it.
Table of Contents
What You Need
- PhotoStucture (Coupon MKLIBRARY10 for 10% off Plus)
- Synology NAS
- Docker Package installed
I want photo organization, but need to separate my work from personal photos. On my Synology NAS, I already have two Volumes and Shared Folders setup, where I have placed photos of each purpose. I have Photos, which is for my personal media, and MK, which contains all of my work-related media.
The end result has 2 different PhotoStructure Docker containers running concurrently. Each can be accessed by changing the port, with 1787 being PhotoStructure’s default. 1788 isn’t used by any other service on my Synology, so I felt it safe to push the number up 1.
This method could easily be reproduced and adapted for additional Photo Libraries beyond the two.
Docker Settings
- localhost:1787
- localhost:1788
Before you dive in, it’d be a great idea to review the official documentation on installing PhotoStructure for Servers.
Advanced Settings Example:
PS_LOG_LEVEL info
PS_IS_DOCKER 1
PS_LOG_STDOUT 0
PS_FORCE_LOCAL_DB_REPLICA 0
PUID needtofindforyou
PGID 100
PS_HTTP_PORT 1788Volume Settings Example
File/Folder: /docker/photostructure Mount Path: /ps/library
File/Folder: /Photos Mount Path: /PhotosShared Folder Settings
I discovered during a debugging session with the Photostructure developer that Shared Folders needed to have the specific user added to Permissions. Just having a group added to the Shared Folder may not be enough in a lot of use cases. Even if your user is the administrator.
From File Station, right click on the Shared Folder with your photo library and click Properties. Hit the Permissions Tab, and then the Create button to add yourself as a specific user.
Make sure Read and Write permissions are granted.
Hit Done on the Permission Editor Screen, hit the checkbox to Apply to all Folders/Subfolders/etc, then click Save. Wait for the permissions to be applied then move onto the next step.
Setting Up the First Container
Add these Variables
Setup the Second Container
There will be one minor difference as you setup the second Photo Library. Well, two. First, you will specify a different volume. The second is adding a variable to change the port.
This additional setting is key: PS_HTTP_PORT 1788
The Volume settings are mapped to the second work Volume, so each Library and Docker files are on that particular volume. This allows me to totally separate Photo Libraries and settings, and quickly pick up and move around each one as needed. I can also access them from new systems without them ever interacting with one another.
Performance
In watching how the two Docker containers perform, PhotoStucture does a great job in resource use and not overloading the server as it processes photos or video. I’ve noticed the two Libraries seem to go back and forth in using FFmpeg and other resources, with neither eating up everything at once.
I’ve been able to run everything else alongside PhotoStucture without any issues.
Sync is run every 24 hours. If you make lots of changes to the folder structure on your own, you may want to restart sync manually.
If you’re interested in more photography tips and tricks or your workflow, check out the article on Camera Accessories.
From recipes using locally sourced ingredients and terroir-centric cooking, craft cocktails, to the latest in tech and home DIY projects, Michael yearns to share his learned and found knowledge of the world.