How to Connect Patch Panel to Switch – Take 24 Port Patch Panel for 24 Port Switch as Examples

Patch panel is intensively applied in the Ethernet cabling installation and regarded as a critical component in the entire cabling systems. Typically, patch panels are available in various port densities from 12 port to 48 port. Among those different ports, the 24 port patch panel is the most fashionable choice to connect gigabit switch for small LAN cable management. This article will discuss the topic on how to connect patch panel to switch by taking 24 port patch panel for 24 port switch as examples.

How to Connect Patch Panel to Switch diagram
Patch Panel to Switch Diagram

How to Connect Patch Panel to Switch – Why a 24 Port Patch Panel is Needed for a 24 Port Switch?

Some people may ask that, is it necessary to use a patch panel or is it possible to replace the 24 port patch panel by a 24 port Gigabit switch? Actually, it is better to use a 24 port patch panel to a 24 port Gigabit switch. The reasons include below aspects:

  • Identification

As the network grows, more ports are becoming a trend to accommodate ever-expanding demand. Therefore, cable management has become a necessity. When there is a need for testing or disconnecting a special cable, you could easily locate them on the 24 port patch panel by labeling for each port to identify the target. What is more, the labels help to achieve a neat and organized way for cable management, especially for cable ties and mounting components.

  • Troubleshooting

Patch panel makes the process easier to troubleshoot problems since it groups all of the input jacks into one side and the output jacks into the other side. When it comes to a connection fault with a 24 port switch, patch panel helps identify whether the fault is on the switch side or the cable side.

To sum up, a 24 port patch panel benefits network engineers a lot by offering convenient and flexible routing options. Because a 24 port patch panel has enough ports in close proximity so that cables can be routed, labeled and monitored easily and efficiently.

How to Connect Patch Panel to Switch – Take 24 Port Patch Panel for 24 Port Switch as Examples

How can I connect my 24 port switch to a 24 port patch panel? Below is a step-by-step guideline for how to connect patch panel to switch:

Step 1: Attach the 24 port patch panel and 24 port switch to a rack-mounted floor stand in the wiring closet.

Step 2: Run the Ethernet cables from their jack locations out in the computer room. Each cable will come from a wall mounted jack that the installer has placed in the wall. They will all return to the wiring closet through a small hole to accommodate the wires.

Step 3: Connect the wires into the 24 port patch panel and use a punch-down tool to connect the wires to the appropriate slots on the patch panel. Once the wires are all attached, it is better to secure the wires in a bundle by using plastic zip ties.

Step 4: Label each jack location on the 24 port patch panel to designate which room is connected to that jack.

Step 5: Plug a patch cable into each port on the 24 port patch panel and plug the other end into the 24 port switch. These wires can be moved from port to port if needed to promote location changes to the network.

Conclusion

The 24 port patch panel helps to make cable management and troubleshooting works easier when connecting to the 24 port network switch. The wiring process is also essential for a reflectively large network. As 24 port switch has become more prevalent with a moderate 24 port switch price, 24 port Gigabit switch managed or unmanaged, PoE or non-PoE types are popular now. If you have any need for 24 port patch panels, 24 port switch or 24 port managed switches, FS is a good choice.

Related Articles:
How to Install Patch Panel and Switch?
Best Patch Panel Cable Management Techniques