Cisco Catalyst 2960 Series Intelligent Ethernet Switches are a new family of fixed-configuration standalone devices that provide desktop Fast Ethernet & Gigabit Ethernet connectivity,  enabling enhanced LAN services for entry-level enterprise,  mid-market,  & branch office networks. The Catalyst 2960 Series offers integrated security,  including network admission control (NAC),  advanced quality of service (Qo S),  & resiliency to deliver intelligent services for the network edge. The Cisco Catalyst 2960 Series offers: 
- Intelligent features at the network edge,  such as sophisticated access control lists (ACLs) & enhanced security 
- Dual-purpose uplinks for Gigabit Ethernet uplink flexibility,  allowing use of either a copper or a fiber uplink-each dual-purpose uplink port has one 10/100/1000 Ethernet port & one Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP)-based Gigabit Ethernet port,  with one port active at a time 
- Network control & bandwidth optimization using advanced Qo S,  granular rate limiting,  ACLs,  & multicast services 
- Network security through a wide range of authentication methods,  data encryption technologies,  & network admission control based on users,  ports,  & MAC addresses 
- Easy network configuration,  upgrades,  & troubleshooting using Cisco Network Assistant software 
- Auto-configuration for specialized applications using Smartports                                             
