What is patch panel? what's different from switch?

A patch panel is where the horizontal and vertical drops/cables terminate in a closet.

A switch or hub does the actually traffic handling.

A patch panel is simply where terminations are made. You then can connect a cable from their to an appliance (i.e. patch)

In other words, a patch panel is basically a plate that has 6, 12, 24, 48 wall plugs. From there, you would plug a patch cord to your switch/hub.

Sorry, still don't understand.... could you please explain it in more detail and easy way? since I know nothing about patch panel...

Here is a link to a pic of a patch panel
http://www.americantechsupply.com/cat6patchpanels.htm

cables run from were ever and connect to the back of the patch panel. You can then connect standard network cables to the from and run then to other devices such as switches/routers/computers

here is a picture of a switch.
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps7077/index.html

so why just not to connect all cables from all the Ethernet jacks in a building directly to a switch? Why it must to connect to patch panel first?

Also with a patch panel, you don't have to run around your company looking for the jack in the wall that is connected to a certain port on a switch. Just in case you need to move a network cable to another port.

Thank you. So do you mean patch panel is just an organizer and it's not a MUST in any environment?

patch panals are you if you have multiple network closets..for example if the company as severa building they migh have a patch panel and a switch in each building so they don't need to run all cables to only one place specially if they are far a part so what they do  they connect all patch panels that have the switch attached using a fiber link to the main closet. let me know if this help..

Its not a MUST. A network will work without it. However, it is a MUST to have. You will have big headaches without it. Yes, to simply put it, it is an ORGANIZER. Brings all the network cables from all over the building to a central location, and they all plug into the back of the patch panel. Trust me, you want to get this. The better the organization the easier the management, you will thank yourself in the long run if you get this.

I agree with pzozulka but if you have a very small network with let say 5 users I don't think you need a patch panel..just by running the cable dirrectly to the switch will work..but you also need to take in consideration if your company is going to grow..is better to plan for the future.

sorry less then 5 users

Thank you. Please let me picture the patch panel.(I have never played it in my hand)
Do you think it's like the attachment I draw?
If so, one patch panel cord connect to a port of the switch, will that all the ethernet jack in the same Collision domain??? just like when using a hub.
patch-panel.JPG

Same collision domain but a patch panel does not consolidate ports. so if you have 5 ports coming from offices to the patch panel then you would have 5 connections going to the switch.

patch panel does not consolidate ports?? what do you mean?
and as you said that the 5 connections will be in same collision domain, that's a bad thing right? if I connect 5 connections directly to the switch, then I will have 5 collision domain which is not better?

it would look like this
network-diagrama.doc

yes it each workstation connection goes to patch panel..for example if you have 5 cables coming from offices to the patch panel then you would have 5 connections going to the switch.

Ok. I think I am getting it. I think the picture I draw should be switch at the bottom and the patch panel on the top, right? as the document you showed me here.

So I think in your document, it's like in office A, all the computers connect to a switch and then from the switch to the Patch panel.

And if I have office B, I will put a switch in that office and from there, I connect the switch to the central patch panel?

Is my description correct?

yes.

So that also mean, if I just have one small office like in the document. It seems really not necessary to have patch panel. because only one port of the patch panel will be used and the rest of the ports will be a waste. (If the office will not grow)

correct?

PATCH PANEL
PORT1   PORT2    PORT3      PORT4     PORT5
    |             |               |                |                |
    |             |               |                |                |
SWITCH
PORT1   PORT2    PORT3      PORT4     PORT5

here you go boddy. I help with this diagram answer your question.
Ddiagrama.doc

thanx pzozulka. So what you mean is if I have 5 computers, then I will use 5 ports on patch panels and also use 5 port on switch? So the drawing I did is wrong?

do you have any picture can show me?

Hi raigj. I am getting confused again.... why your second document is different than the first one??? which one is correct?

His second drawing seems to be a more accurate, except try to imagine 5 cables, (1 for each computer on the network) running from the patch panel, up to the switch.

thanx pzozulka!!!! So it really looks like patch panel doing nothing other than an oganizer

That is exactly correct, but it is a MUST. I have never seen a network without a Patch Panel.

even in a 5 computer network you still suggest to use patch panel?

I thought 5 computers was an analogy. It's hard to say. Unless you are absolutely sure there will be no growth. No all patch panels have to be expensive units that can hold hundreds of ports. You can purchase a scalable unit that is 20 port for example or less. One that you can upgrade at a later time. Trust me, you will save a lot of time, and headache.

ok. But here is the question. For example, 20 pcs in office A, then 20 patch panels ports required, same as switch need 20 ports.

And in office B, 10 pcs. So I need 10 patch panels ports and 10 ports on the switch.

So, I need a 30 ports patch panel and a 30 ports switch? correct?

And why usually patch panel has more ports than a switch?(as shown in the attachment)
finalnetwork.jpg

the sold patch panels with different number of ports it depends on the customer needs..there a switches with 5 ports , 24, 48 ports..it all about the customer needs..there are also patch panels with different number of ports.

Thanx OriNetworks. number of ports used on a switch = number of port used in patch panel, right?

So can you explain to me why usually patch panel has more ports than a switch? as the image I showed above.

Patch panel usually has more ports than a switch because switches with a lot of ports are very expensive!

Patch panels come in different sizes even as small as only 6 ports but you don't usually see smaller ones because they arent cost efficient. You usually see patch panels with more professional jobs and you always want extra ports on your patch panel for future use.