[img]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:EthernetPatchPanelDiagram.png[/img]
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Patchpanel2.JPG/800px-Patchpanel2.JPG[/img]
A patch panel is used to organize the cable and wire connections in your wiring closet. Cables comming from your network devices or wall jacks plug into the back of the patch panel, and these are connected to other devices using short patch cables at the front. It's typically mounted on a network rack, a specialized frame that forms the physical skeleton of your network closet.
A patch panel works like a telephone switchboard, but for cables.
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Patchpanel2.JPG/800px-Patchpanel2.JPG[/img]
A patch panel is used to organize the cable and wire connections in your wiring closet. Cables comming from your network devices or wall jacks plug into the back of the patch panel, and these are connected to other devices using short patch cables at the front. It's typically mounted on a network rack, a specialized frame that forms the physical skeleton of your network closet.
A patch panel works like a telephone switchboard, but for cables.