The Catalyst 2820 switches can improve network performance to the desktop, server, and backbone, especially in networks that use high-performance workstations and servers, use bandwidth-intensive applications, transfer large graphic, audio, and video files, and require access to the same network resources and the Internet.These switches have 25 10BaseT switched Ethernet ports (including the AUI switch port on the back panel), each port providing users or groups of users dedicated 10-Mbps bandwidth to resources within the network. These ports connect to other 10BaseT-compatible devices, such as single workstations and 10BaseT hubs. The switches also have two expansion slots for the optional Catalyst 2820 100BaseT, FDDI, and ATM modules for delivering maximum performance to high-speed servers and to backbone switches and routers.Each Catalyst 2820 switch is designed for plug-and-play operation, requiring only that you assign basic IP information to the switch and connect it to the other devices in your network. If you have specific network needs, you can also configure the switch through its various management interfaces. The switch can be configured and monitored individually or as part of a switch cluster that is managed by a Catalyst 2900 series XL or Catalyst 3500 series XL command switch.