patch panels?

[RJK]

What is the purpose of a patch panel? Why not just plug the cabels directly into the hubs? Thanks. [sig][/sig]

 

[2ffat]

[tab]Patch panels allow greater flexiblity. We have all our wiring in the walls connected to a patch panel. This way, when a person needs to move/change/add a network device, when simply plug a patch cord between the hub(s) and the panel on one side and the device and wall outlet on the other side.

[tab]They also allow for better wiring distribution. If we had each network device pugged directly into the hub, we would be constantly rearrainging the cables. Also, we planned ahead and put extra cables into the walls for future growth. We terminated these on patch panels. Currently, our hubs only support 64 ports since that is all we need while we have twice that many terminations. If we did not have patch panels, these wires would be laying on the floor.

[sig]<p>James P. Cottingham<br><a href=mailto: > </a><br><a href=

http://www.ivcusa.com>International

Veneer Co., Inc.</a><br>All opinions are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer.[/sig]

 

[PaulV]

A patch panel is used to transition permanent cabling (solid conductor wiring that is routed through walls, ceilings, etc.) to temporary cabling (stranded cable i.e. patch cords) [sig][/sig]

 

[jmartin]

A path panel keeps in order all your network cabling. Makes it easy to identity where a single cable is going to.
[sig][/sig]