Tag: blank keystone patch panel

What Is the Function of Patch Panel

As we know, patch panel is a passive device with a number of ports. It’s a cable management tool that most frequently used, typically in a data center. However, for some people, they are still confused about the function of patch panel, and post questions on forum such as what is the purpose of patch panel in networking, why not connect end device directly to switch? This article will help you find the answer.

How Patch Panel Works

Patch panels work in different ways due to the two types, fiber patch panel and copper patch panel. Usually, fiber patch panel is designed with ports both on the front and rear sides. Just insert the corresponding fiber cables into the ports, then you can achieve a neat cable management.

fiber patch panel

Figure 1: Fiber patch panel has ports on both sides.

Unlike the fiber patch panel, copper patch panel is divided into feed-through and punch down types. The feed-through panel contains RJ45 ports on two sides, which is convenient for users to plug the cables. And the punch down panel is equipped with Rj45 ports on the front side and punch down terminations and color coding on the rear side. Each set of punch down terminations corresponds to a port on the front side. So you have to terminate all cables into the patch panel first.

copper patch panel

Figure 2: The rear side of copper patch panel.

Main Function of Patch Panel

As a cable management tool, the primary benefit of using patch panel is the improved organization and easier management of your network. But how? As the figure 3 shows, a patch panel is usually installed within a server rack. And you may encounter many or even thousands of fiber optic cables and cable connection. Using a patch panel, you can label the patch panel, so that you know which end device or room the cable run goes to. This will be helpful when you need to make changes on the cables.

Also, we can see that all cables on the server rack have a bend radius (a term used to describe how sharply a cable can safely bend at any given point). If the fibers bent beyond the minimum bend diameters may lead to break, causing network failures. Therefore, using a patch panel, the cables bend radius will be reduced, which can enhance the cables’ long term reliability.

As described above, we have learned the main function of patch panel is to provide a robust, reliable management solution and protect the cables. It doesn’t have any electrical or logical function like the network switch or router. Patch panel is solely a physical connection, which means patch panel can’t replace a switch or a router.

function of patch panel

Figure 3: Cables are connected to the patch panel.

Where to Buy Patch Panel

FS.COM is the reputable source to buy patch panels. The following are some 1U patch panels I’d like to recommend to you.

1U Fiber Patch Panel

FS 1U fiber patch panels are designed with LC and SC ports. In order to meet different customers’ demands, FS has released 24 port patch panel and 48 port patch panel.

FS P/N
FHU-FPP48FLC10GMM
FHU-FPP48FSCSMF
FHU-FPP96FLCHSMF
Adapter Type
LC Duplex
SC Duplex
LC Duplex
Fiber Mode
OM3/OM4
OS2
OS2
Fiber Count
48 fibers
48 fibers
96 fibers
Insertion Loss
≤0.2dB
≤0.2dB
≤0.2dB
Return Loss
≥50dB
≥50dB
≥50dB

These 1U patch panels adopt the same material and design, but for different fibers connections. You can choose one according to your actual need.

1U Copper Patch Panel

FS provides Cat5e and Cat6 patch panels. Both are available in feed-through and punch down types. Here are the best-selling products.

FS P/N
C5EP-U24FT1U
C6P-U24FT1U
Cable Category
Cat5e
Cat6
Termination
Feed Through
Feed Through
Application
Unshielded
Unshielded
Port No.
24
24

The two products are used to connect unshielded copper cables. They share the same design. When you need to buy a copper patch panel, you should know what cables you want to connect, and this is very important.

Blank Keystone Patch Panel

If you need versatility of running different types of networking cable on a project, blank keystone patch panel is suitable for you. With a blank keystone patch panel, you can combine Ethernet cable, fiber cables through one patch panel. The following is a blank keystone patch panel from FS.COM. With no keystone jacks are pre-loaded into it, you can customize it according to your application.

keystone patch panel

Figure 4: Use blank keystone patch panel to make a mixed connection.

Conclusion

From the above, we know the main function of patch panel is to terminate all the cables, and provide a neat, reliable solution for cabling. When you want to buy one, please contact us via sales@fs.com.

Why Use A Patch Panel?

When we set up a network, we are accustomed to buying a patch panel as usual. And people always say they buy patch panels for cable management, as they are asked why use a patch panel. However, are there any other benefits of a patch panel? Yes, of course, here explains why use a patch panel in networking.

why use a patch panel

Figure 1: Patch panels in a rack for managing the fiber and copper cables.

Why Use A Patch Panel?

As shown in the picture above, patch panels are usually attached in the network racks. All the cables from the individual desktop, computer or printer go to the patch panel. Then the patch panel provides a protection and management for the cables, which contributes to ensure the cables’ performance in the whole network. This is the greatest benefit of using a patch panel. Whenever cables change direction, the bend of the cables is likely to change the electrical properties. If one cable bends too far, unfortunately, damages may occur inside where you can’t see it. So patch panels can help to protect the delicate cables.

Besides, using a patch panel improves working efficiency and workflow. How? For example, telecommunication and cable companies always use patch panels in strategic locations in their coverage areas. Therefore, the technicians can connect or disconnect services to the specific places without going to the actual locations just by managing the patch panels.

Finally, using a patch panel also improves the aesthetics of your work area. All cables are in place and accessible represent a well managed workstation, which also shows your professional quality.

Why Not Use A Switch Instead of Patch Panel?

When someone connects the cables, he may wonder why use a patch panel is a requirement and why they aren’t connected to network switches directly. The answer is that patch panel and switch play different roles in the cabling system. Patch panel acts just as a connector which will not make any influences on data transmission, but a network switch connects hardware within a network to enable them to access the Internet, share data etc. In a data center rack, there are many network switches with numbers of ports. Routing cables from one rack to another is a tough job. So you have to use patch panels to manage these cables.

Fiber and Copper Patch Panels Recommendation

Designed for specific cables like Cat5e, Cat6 copper cables and OS2, OM3 fiber cables, patch panels types are different.

Fiber Optic Patch Panel

This type of patch panel takes the simplex, duplex and quad model designs at FS.COM. There are 24 port patch panel and 48 port patch panel available for you to choose. All products are produced strictly in accordance with national standards. The following is a 24 port LC duplex fiber optic patch panel used to connect 48 OS2 single mode fibers. It uses the standardized jack that makes it easy to insert and remove fiber cables, so that to ensure the long-term and stable performance of the fiber cables.

fiber patch panel

Figure 2: 24 Port LC Duplex Fiber Patch Panel

Ethernet Patch Panel

FS.COM offers punch down and feed-through Ethernet patch panel. And the feed-through patch panel falls into unshielded and shielded types to wire the unshielded and shielded Ethernet cables. The following is a 24 port Cat6 unshielded feed-through patch panel. Design with SPCC and ABS plastics materials, the Ethernet patch panel is sturdy and durable that can work in the environment of -25°C to 70°C.

Ethernet patch panel

Figure 3: 24 Port Cat6 Unshielded Feed-Through Patch Panel

Blank Keystone Patch Panel

When you are unable to decide in advance which type of cables will be used to connect your hardware, you can use a blank keystone patch panel. The following is a 48 port blank keystone patch panel that provides flexibility in the type of jacks. As a result, you can make a mixed connection based on your actual demands.

blank keystone patch panelFigure 4: Cables connected on 48 port blank keystone patch panel.

Conclusion

What is the purpose of patch panel in networking, or why use a patch panel? I think now you have a good understanding. Today’s fast changing technology makes more and more electrical and electronic devices connected to each other, so don’t hesitate to use a patch panel to simplify the cabling.