Current home server / Plex media server is running Windows 11 Pro. Intel 11th gen CPU with UHD 730 iGPU for ridiculously powerful and efficient transcoding, when needed. I'm heavily considering switching over to Zorin 17.2, but I've heard that there might be issues with the 6.8 kernel not working right with Intel Quick Sync. Can anyone confirm or deny this?
I don't know how familiar you are with linux, but if you are considering any ubuntu based to run on plex - you should really consider dockerizing your plex environment.
I've been running plex for years, and before i dockerized it - i was running a plex server on my Western Digital NAS. After i built my home server, i decided to learn docker and have it all in there. Without going too much into this, let me know if you're interested. But learning docker is one of the best investments i have done in terms of learning something new.
Something else you should note:
I'm heavily considering switching over to Zorin 17.2
Why do you feel the need to swap to a new OS when you already have something that works?
EDIT: Welcome to the forum!
I'm trying to learn Linux in general, as I am in IT and my company is starting to shift more to Linux (from Windows Server) due to costs and other things. So, I'd like to implement some "learning" at home to help. I'm already running Zorin on my personal system which is used for gaming and general purpose. But to your point of using Docker, yes, that is probably something I should also learn. I may give it a go. Thanks!
I wouldn't recommend using Zorin OS for a server, though. Especially if the whole point is to learn about system administration, you are much better off using something made with that purpose if mind. I'd suggest Ubuntu Server, Debian, RedHat or whatever else is your company transitioning into.
PS: No idea about that kernel issue you mention. Where did you hear about it?
I agree with @zenzen . If you want to just get better at linux, you should just learn to know your way around Ubuntu Server.
Although, if you have some decent specifications on your server computer. You could just consider running Proxmox VE on it. That is what i have been running on my home server for about a year now, and it works flawlessly. Especially considering that its open-source. Doing this will improve your linux knowledge thats for sure.