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Why are patch panels required for cabling networks?

When cabling networks, you may wonder why it's a requirement to have patch panels and why they aren't connected to switches. This expert response explains why and how they're used in a rack with multiple switches and ports.

Sudhanshu Gupta
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Why are patch panels required, and why are they not directly connected to switches?
In a rack, there can be multiple switches with multiple ports. So routing cables from one rack to another becomes very difficult, and if you have to connect a server on a different rack or maybe a different floor or room, it becomes quite cumbersome. Then, there are incoming and outgoing cables, and at the same time you might need to re-arrange the circuits. So patch panels make it easier, more organized and faster.

Hope this makes it clear.

This was last published in November 2008

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