Patch panel or not

[SAguy]

Right now I've got a patch panel in my 9u rack, main reason is because I have a few smaller switches and it's easier to patch them from one place. Also looks neater since the switches are tucked in the back.

I'm getting ready to upgrade to a 24 port switch, and also a new NVR which has it's own POE ports.

Is there any compelling reason to keep the patch panel in?
Only small reason I can think is that the NVR's ports are at the back, which would make adding/unplugging cameras a bit more tricky - but is that worth sacrificing 1u for a patch panel.

Not sure...

 

[lkswan747]

In my opinion, a patch panel makes a network setup look so much neater.

 

[Genisys]

Solid core cable should ideally run to a patch panel. I use to run my solid core cables to a switch directly, never really intended to change the switch ports, but ended up breaking a few cables in the process somehow regardless.

Patch panels also make it easier to manage network points, port one on the patch panel can really only go to one place, its not a guessing game of "This cable is the network connection for the dog house?"

If you don't already have a brush panel, I'd recommend adding one as well, really makes it easier to hide away a cable mess.

 

[Geoff.D]

Patch panels are essential if you have lots of cables going all over the place and want simple and easy facilities for reconfigurations, equipment replacements etc.

Also assists with labelling and keeping racks neat.
I would not do away with it if you already have one in place.

 

[yogidabear]

Am too embarrassed to send you a picture of my cabinet to show you how bad it looks without a patch panel. Have outdoor Ethernet for my cameras coming in straight to the switch and its really not a good idea. Am going to install the panel and try not use a brush panel but rather custom make each flylead the correct length. If it works out well will post that picture rather!

 

[SAguy]

Thanks for the great input. When I get my upgrades I'll play around with it and see what I decide. I have 2 brush panels and a patch panel at the moment.

I've never been a network engineer so the benefits of a patch panel is a little bit lost on me, even though I do have one now.

So my new switch has ports on the front, and my patch panel punches down in the back and has ports on the front of course. Do I then cable from my switch into the punch downs at the back of the patch panel, and cables leaving the cabinet get jacks on and plugged into the ports in front of the patch panel?

Or does the switch get connected to the patch panel front ports and the cables leaving the cabinet get punched down into the back of the patch panel?

Ridiculously noob question... I know.

 

[R4m80]

Thanks for the great input. When I get my upgrades I'll play around with it and see what I decide. I have 2 brush panels and a patch panel at the moment.

I've never been a network engineer so the benefits of a patch panel is a little bit lost on me, even though I do have one now.

So my new switch has ports on the front, and my patch panel punches down in the back and has ports on the front of course. Do I then cable from my switch into the punch downs at the back of the patch panel, and cables leaving the cabinet get jacks on and plugged into the ports in front of the patch panel?

Or does the switch get connected to the patch panel front ports and the cables leaving the cabinet get punched down into the back of the patch panel?

Ridiculously noob question... I know.

Or does the switch get connected to the patch panel front ports and the cables leaving the cabinet get punched down into the back of the patch panel.

This.

 

[SAguy]

Or does the switch get connected to the patch panel front ports and the cables leaving the cabinet get punched down into the back of the patch panel.

This.

Doesn't that make for more work should I need to pull in another camera or access point? Since I would need to remove the patch panel and punch down the new camera? I imagine it's going to be tricky punching down another cable since I'll be standing on a footstool and trying not to pull too much on the other cables already punched down...