Category 5e patch panels are passive devices which are used when establishing communication between numbers of devices on a network. A typical patch panel has ports where cables that have been prepared with connectors can be plugged into, the cables then run to several devices such as computers that are on the network, the patch panels are connected to the main server which drives the LAN.
There are different designs of patch panels available, one common type is mounted hardware design, this is mounted in place inside a wiring closet or switch room. This type of installation of the patch panel usually takes place reasonably close to the servers that drive the network. All the connections from the various computers, fax machines and telephones run through the device.
A second commonly used design looks very much like a power strip. Located along the body of the strip are jacks and other types of receptacles which allow for different pieces of equipment to connect. When a user executes a task on a given workstation and wishes the task to take place elsewhere, it happens through the Category 5e patch panels. An example of this may be when a computer user wishes to fax a completed document directly from the computer. The document can be routed to the fax machine via the LAN. The fax machine dials the number; handshakes with the remote machine and send the document.
The patch panel’s value lies in the fact that it becomes possible to connect various pieces of equipment to a server although there are not sufficient ports on the server proper. All of the component connections are made directly to the patch panel; this means that there only needs to be one connection from the panel to the server. The patch panel is usually located quite close to the components, thus making it simple to add to the network or upgrade the cabling. With the panel installed in this position, there is rarely a need to pull the server from the rack to access the connections.
Although Category 5e patch panels are normally used in larger installations, many people use them in the home when designing and building a home based LAN. One computer is configured to act as a server, the Category 5e patch panels are then used to connect all the other computers into the server.
Cables.com has a wide variety of Category 5e patch panels in stock. Inventory includes panels with and without cable management bars as well as loaded and unloaded versions.
