If you get a hosting machine of your own, it will work independently, so it'll have its own Os and you can later install server side programs directly or script-driven websites through a hosting Control Panel. Even though keeping the Os updated is not always considered fundamental, it can be a very important task for several reasons. A more modern Operating system version might have better support for certain hardware, so you might get better performance for the internet sites and web applications you install. Your server will also be more protected because updates often include security patches which fix small issues that may permit unauthorized people to access your content. Last, but not least, more modern script versions, which are also released for both enhanced security and for additional features, might require a later version of the Os in order to work correctly and with their 100 % capabilities.