I'd ask what requirements you're looking to fulfill by using OS X Server on a MacBook system, as that's not a typical hardware configuration for a server.
OS X Server and most other server operating systems expect static IP addresses and full-time availability, where a MacBook tends to be mobile and to thus have a variety of dynamic DHCP IP addresses and networks, and MacBook systems also tend to be closed and hibernating at random times.
It's certainly possible to use this hardware as a server (and it can be useful when you're learning how to manage a server and have a "scratch" MacBook available), but the hardware is not necessarily a good fit.
As you add services, you'll want to have DNS services established and verified, and — on a typical NAT'd local area network with no other LAN-local DNS services — that involves configuring DNS services on OS X Server itself. DNS is a prerequisite for various other OS X Server services.
But yes, do have a disk backup, either Time Machine, or as an external disk backup, or however you preserve your data. Skimming the OS X Server manuals can help save some time figuring out the platform, too.