patch panels:

The main task of the patch panel is to place it between the endpoints of the network cables and network equipment such as hubs, routers, etc., and instead of connecting the network cables directly to these devices, they are connected through the patch panel. In other words, its existence is by no means necessary, but it makes expanding and changing networks easier over time.

A patch panel is a rectangular piece that has a certain number of network ports on it, such as 24 ports, 48 ports, etc. During cabling a building, several network sockets are placed in each part of the building, which may be currently unused and the user is not connected to the network through them, but it should be possible to insert these sockets into the network circuit when the user increases. Therefore, cabling specialists use patch panels to solve this problem, they collect all the cables that are connected to the sockets in one place, which is the center of the rack, and enter them into the patch panel and number them and whenever they want, connect any socket that they want to the switch with a small network cable. Also, by using this piece, network troubleshooting will be easier and problems will be solved in less time.

Patch panels can be categorized based on three features:

1- According to Cat standard

2- To be modular or not

3- Number of ports