If you get a server of your own, it will work independently, so it'll have its own Os and you'll be able to later install server side apps directly or script-driven internet sites via a hosting Cp. Even though keeping the Os updated isn't always considered fundamental, it can be a quite important task for several reasons. A more modern Operating system version may have better support for specific hardware, so you could get better performance for the internet sites and web apps that you install. Your server shall also be more protected as updates usually include security patches which take care of small issues which may enable unauthorized individuals to access your content. Last, but not least, more modern script versions, which are also released for both boosted security and for additional features, may require a later version of the Operating System in order to work correctly and with their 100 % capabilities.