Patch panels are sometimes referred to as patch bays or jackfields, and are rackmounted panels designed to house cable connections. We look into their purpose and important within a server rack.
Assembling hardware is normally arranged so the number of similar or same circuits appears on jacks. This makes it more convenient for monitoring, interconnecting as well as testing all circuits, in a flexible manner. Patch panels make it a lot easier for IT technicians to rapidly change paths of selected signals and this makes it very cost effective. There is no extra expense of dedicated switching equipment so the money saved can be substantial.Typically a shorter patch cable plugs into the front side of the panel and at the back holds a connection which is much longer and is a more permanent cable.
When installing new cable lines into a computer network it is important to know whether the new lines are going to stay in the same data equipment cabinets or would these be moved to a different data cabinet close by at some time in the future? This is something that needs to be evaluated right at the outset.
Computer networks normally use common copper cables which are Cat 5e or Cat 6 punch down 110 patch panels. Wires need to be punched down on the back of patch panels with the front of it having RJ45 connectors and these connect jumpers to computer equipment.
It is always necessary to think about the future when it comes to an IT infrastructure and computer server rack, so knowing these cables can be reconnected to another data cabinet that's close by when a network needs to be reorganized, makes the whole process that much quicker, easier and cheaper to do.
Patch panels do just this because they allow cables to be very easily disconnected and then plugged into a similar or same patch panel in other data cabinets. The obvious advantages this offers you are that the set up avoids the costly labour involved in punching down wires each time a new connection is needed on an upgrade of an IT system. When using patch panels you have to think ahead and leave enough slack cable on incoming cables in order for the move to be cost effective.
Patch panels were first introduced and used in early telephone exchanges, and this is probably the easiest way of understanding how they actually work in IT systems. Early telephone exchange operators would connect calls by pulling out a chord from one plug and then place this into another one in order to connect incoming calls to the right person or department. This is essentially what a patch panel allows IT technicians to do when they need to, whether this is a temporary or semi-permanent arrangement.
Today, patch panels are commonly seen in recording studios as well as television studios and concert halls. Here the patch panels are typically used to control connections to various pieces of equipment like microphones, speakers and other necessary electronic equipment. They are used simply because of the convenience they offer technicians to perform connections quickly when needed. It also allows technicians to identify any technical issues quickly, which can include feedback and static.
This same process can be applied to dedicated switching equipment, as it allows an IT technician to simply press a button and avoids having to remove any jacks and then having to place this into another plug.
Toughrack build their data cabinets in Zintec - British Steel's toughest electro-zinc coated steel sheet and coil. This means they're covered by a lifetime warranty, and the servers your business relies on are protected - no catches, quibbles or nasty surprises.
Source:
http://computernewsarticles.com/computer_articles/2012/07/what-is-a-patch-panel-and-why-is-it-needed-for-a-computer-server-rack-293281.htm
