If you get a server of your own, it will operate independently, so it will have its own Os and you could later install server side applications directly or script-driven websites through a hosting Cp. While keeping the Operating System updated isn't always considered fundamental, it can be a really important task for several reasons. A newer OS version may have better support for specific hardware, so you might get better performance for the internet sites and web apps that you install. Your server shall also be more safe because updates typically include security patches which resolve small issues which may permit unauthorized individuals to access your content. Last, but not least, newer script versions, which are also released for both improved security and for additional features, may need a later version of the Operating System in order to work properly and with their 100 % capabilities.