10base-t repeater?

Someone gave me one of these & said I could network my computers with it. I am having some trouble getting it to work & am getting conflicting info on what it actually does. I googled it but could not come up with any concrete info.

specs:
Compaq Netelligent 2008 10base-t Repeater
p/n: 283125-001

Can I use it for networking my computers & accessing the internet? Or should I just go buy a router?

oh & the systems:
Win Me
Win XP
with cable modem
later on adding Win98SE

 

A repeater is just that, not a router. It is short for Hub.

 

Definition: Network repeaters regenerate incoming electrical, wireless or optical signals. With physical media like Ethernet or Wi-Fi, data transmissions can only span a limited distance before the quality of the signal degrades. Repeaters attempt to preserve signal integrity and extend the distance over which data can safely travel.
Actual network devices that serve as repeaters usually have some other name. Active hubs, for example, are repeaters. Active hubs are sometimes also called "multiport repeaters," but more commonly they are just "hubs." Other types of "passive hubs" are not repeaters. In Wi-Fi, access points function as repeaters only when operating in so-called "repeater mode."

 

You will need a router in order to share your internet connection. A hub will allow you to network computers, but I'm not sure that what you have is a hub.