Patch panels function as the connection point between permanent cabling and active network devices. Horizontal or backbone cables are terminated on the rear of the panel, while short patch cords on the front connect each port to switches, servers, or other hardware. It acts as a central point for neatly labeling and laying out all network cables, preventing tangled knots of CAT5 cables in a Local Area Network. A patch panel, including fiber patch panels and Ethernet patch panels, is a passive network device that centralizes, terminates, and organizes multiple copper or fiber cables. They come in a range of sizes, and are typically mountable, whether that's on a wall, or on a rack to make for easier. Patch panels act as a buffer, taking the wear while keeping your expensive gear safe.
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