How is this checked?
Every mod file on the server is fingerprinted and looked up on Modrinth, which identifies the exact file and the newest build for Minecraft 1.21.1 on NeoForge. Mods Modrinth doesn't have are looked up by name, then on CurseForge, then on the mod's GitHub releases. Checked every hour.
What does "Maybe newer" mean?
The mod was found, but not as the exact file on our server (often a CurseForge or GitHub build of it), so the versions can't be compared for sure. Check the version numbers by eye.
What are "Ours" and "Patched"?
Ours are small mods made just for this server. Patched are public mods we run with our own fixes added; the newest version shown is the original mod's, so we can tell when to rebuild.
Why isn't the server just updated?
Updates are tested first, and players' game files have to match the server's, so updates go out together, not one by one. This page is only a list of what could be updated.