Cisco Catalyst Express 500 Getting Started Manual page 10

We recommend that you apply the Cisco Smartports roles now.
The ports are then correctly configured before they are
connected to devices. Smartports roles provide optimal
performance on port connections, including appropriate levels
of reliability, security, and availability. They also help prevent
many problems caused by port misconfigurations.
The only requirements are to decide and write down which
switch port will be connected to which device type.
You can connect a WAN device to any port. Apply the Router
port role for this type of connection. Use an uplink port to
connect to another switch and apply the Switch port role.
Smartports
Roles
Desktop
IP Phone+
Desktop
10
Description
Apply this role on switch ports connecting to
desktop devices, such as desktop PCs,
workstations, notebook PCs, and other
client-based hosts. Note: Do not apply the
Desktop role on ports that are connected to
routers or to other switches.
Apply this role on switch ports connecting to IP
phones. A desktop device, such as a PC, can be
connected to the IP phone. Both the IP phone and
connected PC would have access to the network
and the Internet.