So I've had this thing floating around the house for the longest time. The manual describes more of the features I suppose. I can't be bothered to read it. I just would like to know if I should toss the thing. I also can't quite remember the distinction between a switch and a hub because it always turned out that switches are what fulfilled my needs.

IIRC switches require no external power because they rebroadcast all incoming traffic to all ports. This also makes them prone to packet sniffing (any computer connected to this switch can see all traffic that goes through it).

Hubs are smarter and actively route incoming packets to their proper ports. This smart behavior means they need to do processing which means they need external power.

Isn't it the opposite? Hubs broadcast out all ports and Switches are smarter at layer 2 and forward out the required ports based on MAC address?

Yes, he has it backward. Also, they both require a power source, unless they use PoE (home stuff generally doesn't).

There are passive hubs too.

It's only 10 megabit. A 9 port, 100 megabit switch is about $30. A gigabit one is probably $50 or $60.

It's a paperweight.

There's the answer I was looking for. Thanks, I'll throw it in the "Free or it's going in the garbage" box when I do my garage sale.

You should use it as an actual paperweight.

Might as well craigslist it if you're going to do that. People get rid of a lot of good stuff in my area; just because either they don't want it anymore, moving, or don't have any more room for it. My friend got a big screen litterally for free just because he had a truck and the people didn't want to pay to move it. Well... I guess not for free. He did use gas to drive out there and back.

I picked up a 30 port switch from the school, it's insane the sorta **** they throw out.
Course, I just ended up throwing it out later because it's gigantic and I only need 3 ports.

And because you couldn't figure out how to use a switch.

How to use a switch.

Step 1: Plug switch into power source.
Step 2: Plug **** into switch.

**** can now communicate with each other. Good job!

Step 1: Find a thin branch
Step 2: Cut
Step 3: Wind up
Step 4: Swing

Stacking boxes and trying to burn tibby, the life and times of Rob.