Title: Patch Panels
Course: 2016FA-MCO-110-401 > Section: Module 8: IT Infrastructure

Click here for a downloadable version of this document:(EXTERNAL) Patch Panels

Patch Panels are devices used for the interconnecting of many different devices, ultimately making cable management and physical device connectivity changes much easier. In the Networking world, patch panels are utilized in large physical networks such as an office building or a data center. Patch panels most often connect to switch ports in a 1:1 configuration. This means one patch panel port is wired to one switch port. “Why not connect directly to the switch?” you may ask. Well, should you need to physically modify the network, such as adding a user who utilizes a different subnet on the same floor; it is much easier to make the modification via the patch panel vs. the network rack. A patch panel on each floor of a building allows a greater deal of control vs. all wiring for all floors terminating at the actual switch. This also has the added benefit of streamlining network issue triage since testing from the patch panel to the end port is easier than from the switch. Patch panels bring order and ease of modification to larger network installations that inevitably become a sea of cables in the equipment rack.

Objectives met:
- C8
- 8.10