If you get a hosting machine of your own, it will operate independently, so it will have its own Os and you could later install server side programs directly or script-driven internet sites via a hosting Control Panel. Even though keeping the Operating System updated is not always considered fundamental, it can be a really important task for a variety of reasons. A more modern OS version may have better support for certain hardware, so you could get better performance for the sites and web apps which you install. Your server will also be more secure because updates normally include security patches which resolve small issues that may enable 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, may require a later version of the Operating System in order to work correctly and with their 100 % capabilities.