How to use the Network Patch Panel?

Setting up home network or office network? If you are going to set up a network with network patch panel, may it be at home or office, there are so many things you need to buy or consider, like network cabinets or racks. here in this article you will  get the answers from the following questions:

Network cabinets or racks are always essential if you are going to set up a network connection- may it be small or large network, so our workspace at home or at the office will always look neat and clean. Plus, it is going to be easier for us to repair or reconnect any damaged pins or cables.

What is a network cabinet ? 

Network Cabinets or Network Racks is the place where we store our network equipment like routers, network cable patch panel, switches, and even network accessories. Networking Cabinets door usually has a glass or hard plastic.

Equipment stored in network cabinets should not generate the same amount of heat as that of equipment that is stored in server rack. Network cabinets are sometimes confused as server rack.

Server rack is like network cabinets, but server rack can store high heat generating equipment like UPS (uninterruptible power supply) ES, monitors, or similar equipment.

Server rack is usually 19 inches wide because it is the industry standard. Because of the high heat that the equipment store in server racks, the front and back of the racks are perforated (pierced with holes) which offers ventilation and safety for the equipment.

Because one product doesn’t meet the needs of all equipment storage, sometimes it is necessary to have both network cabinet and server rack at the same time. Data centers or large home networks do this kind of set up.

There are many important parts of a computer network, not just the network cabinets or server racks. For example- switches, cables, network patch panels, and many more. Let’s talk about the equipment or devices that we are going to need if we are going to set up a small or large network.

What are the accessories needed to set up a network patch panel?

– Network Switch
– UPS
– Network Patch Panel
– Router
– Ethernet Cable
– Network Accessories

Let’s discuss each one of them!

• Network switch – a network switch is a hardware which connects devices using packet switching to receive and forward data on a device to another device on a computer network. The most common form of switches is for Ethernet.

In 1990 kalpana introduced Ethernet switch. Unlike repeater hubs that broadcast the same data in all its ports and lets the device take what they need, a network switch forwards or sends data only to the device that needs it.

Networked device connected to a switch has a network address that can be identified which allows the switch to direct the flow of traffic thus maximizing the security and efficiency of the any network.

Here are different types of Network Switches?

   1. LAN (local area network) switch is a packet switch which can support multiple transmissions at the same time. It reads the address of the destination for each frame and it forwards it directly to the target device port.

2. Unmanaged switch allows us plug-and-play system to our devices into the network. This is often used in small networks. Ethernet devices with fixed configuration that cannot be changed are plugged into this device.

3. Managed switch allows us to configure or modify and monitor settings of our LAN, which includes controls over traffic in the network, prioritize certain channels, and make new virtual LANs so we can keep smaller groups of devices separated for a better traffic management. And if there is a network failure we can recover data.

4. PoE (Power over Ethernet) switch is a network switch with a power over Ethernet injection built-in. We simply connect to the switch the other network devices as normal, and automatically the switch will detect if the device is PoE-compatible and then enables power and data connection automatically over the Ethernet cable.

5. Stackable switch is a network switch device that can function alone but can also be set up with other network switches. With the combined switches there is more port capacity but performs as a single switch.

• NetworkPatch Panel – a network rack patch panel is a device that keeps any server room or data center clear and sorted out because if done right cable management for your network cabinet or server rack will always be neat and clean, so any forms of reconnection, connecting a new device, or repairing pins and cables will be a breeze.

Network Patch Panels also gives protection to your cables from EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference) and RFI (Radio Frequency Interference). There are many types of network patch panel and it differs at how the Ethernet cables are being terminated.

Sometimes, it is terminated in connectors called pinout or sometimes at the back of the network rack patch panel itself. It differs in the sizes of cables that is going to be used.

• UPS (uninterruptible power supply)– is a device that lets us continue using our devices connected to it in a short amount of time to keep us from losing important unsaved data on the computer or devices when power is lost and it also provides us protection from power surges.

• Router– this is the device that connects other devices within a network. It connects devices by forwarding packets between them.

It sends data between devices or from a device to the internet. The router does this by assigning a local IP (internet protocol) address to each device that is connected on the network.

Traffic directing functions on the internet is the router’s job in a network. The data which is sent through the internet, like a web page or email which is in the data packet form.

Packet is sent from one router to another router through the networks that makes up an internetwork like the internet before it reaches its destination.

Router is usually connected to two or more data lines with different IP networks. When data packet comes in, then in the packet header there is network address information which the router reads then determines the right destination.

Then, on the routing table or routing policy, there is information and by using this information it will direct the packet to its next destination.

• Network Accessories

• Male RJ-45 connector – This is the commonly used connector for Ethernet cable connections this type of connector is the one that is inserted to Ethernet ports in Ethernet Patch Panels, Computer, Servers, and many other devices.

• Male RJ-45 connector– This type of connector is like Ethernet ports on Ethernet devices this is the one that receives the keystone jack.

• RJ-45 Crimping Tool is a tool used to crimp wires on a RJ-45 connector. This tool sometimes has a wire stripper and cutter so you will not need any other tool when crimping.

• Punch Down Tool is also known as krone tool, it is a hand tool that is used to punch down or terminate wires of Ethernet cables. Sometimes a punch down tool comes with a wire cutter and stripper.

• Cable Ties– cable ties are plastic strap that is very essential and useful in cable management in the server room. We can use cable ties to tie cables in place so that cable will not get tangled or fall off from the server rack or network cabinet thus saving your pinouts or connectors and cables from damage.

How to do wiring using Cat-5 or Cat-6 for Ethernet Networking?

People nowadays want to use a hard wired solution for home networking because of multimedia sharing, bandwidth on home network and wireless security.

Having to use wired network allows people to have high speed, private, internet access for network at home, media streaming, file sharing, IP security cameras, online games, and many other use of standard Ethernet type wiring.

How to wire your home with Cat-5 or Cat-6 Ethernet Cable in network patch panel?

1st Step:  Initial Thoughts and Planning

Consideration needs to be addressed depending on your needs. Things you need to consider:

• Which place or room/s do you want wired?
• Number of ports you want in each location?
• What is the good place for dispersal and distribution?
• What path should the cables take?
• The network speed you need.

2nd Step: Needed Tools, Materials and its Cost

Choose the right tool to make the job easy. List of tools and materials to use are as follows:

Tools

• Pointed hand saw – for wall plates, it makes it easy to cut holes
• Ethernet Crimping Tool – used only when putting plugs in the end
• Paddle bit or Hole Saw – the size varies on the number of cables you’re running
• Drill – makes screwing faster
• Strong string or fish tape
• Pencil
• Label Maker
• Ruler
• Marker
• Stud finder
• Punch down Tool

Materials:

• RJ-45 Plugs (optional)
• Network Patch Panel
• Ethernet Switch
• Router or Firewall
• Single gang retrofit boxes
• 1000′ Spool Cat-5e or Cat-6 (depends on your needs)
• Velcro strips for cable management
• Short patch cables

3rd Step: Mounting the Wall Plates

• Decide on where you want to mount the box.
• To fit the new box, draw the lines to the wall.
• Using the pointed hand saw, cut the hold. It should push through the dry wall easily without the need to drill the starter holes.
• Once there is the hole cut in the wall, put the single gang box in the hole and screw the clamps to the back of the dry wall.
• Repeat on each places and location you want to run to.
• Leave the wall plates off.
• In the distribution room, you also may want to cut a hole in the wall. Cut a hole that the plastic grommet will fit.

4th Step: Running and Measuring the Cables

• You can estimate, measure from the floor plans, run one, and many more.
• Find the measure needed for each run to each room from the distribution room.
• Cables should be labeled at both ends.
• Drill through the wall top plates for you to be able to drop the cables to the walls where you cut the holes.
• You can drill multiple small holes also.
• Once the top holes are drilled, string out few cables to measure how much is needed for each run.

5th Step: Connect the Wires to the Jacks and Network Patch Panel

• Take the cable out of the wall
• Place the RJ-45 plug on it and directly plug into the switch
• To punch the individual wires, you can either use a punch down tool or a screw driver
• After all the cables have been connected, you can now mount thenetwork patch panel to the wall
• Click the jack on their designated wall plates

6^th Step: Test your Connections

Testing is a way to make sure things are properly working. You can use a network tester if you have one.

• Take a patch cable and plug in each port in each and every room
• After each port, make sure to check the switch and make sure that the “link” indicator is turned on
• Make sure that your labels matches on both ends

7^th Step: Connecting into the Internet

• Set up cable modem
• Using a male barrel connectors, connect the splitters
• From the cable modem Ethernet port, plug to the “untrusted” port on router or firewall then connect the first switch from the “trusted” port
• Although not really advised, plug the wireless access point to your switch so you can have a wireless access also

Hopefully, you get to know the devices, tools, and accessories that are needed if you are going to set up a small or large network. With some of the above-mentioned tips and procedures, you can now set up a home network with or by using network cable patch panel.

Lastly, here are some key tips you should not forget!

• By using a network rack patch panel, it is more flexible to create a home network.

• Because you need to know what socket and room they connect to, it is necessary to label cables correctly.

• A wired network is the only means of moving big and large data around a network at its best speed.

• It is important that you think carefully before you install a wired network in your home but having it installed is not so tricky but not easy but can be done by anyone especially those DIYer, but if you have never done this before and you’re not too sure in doing this, then don’t!