Computer Systems

Servicing 11
Quarter 4
Self-Learning Module 15
Configuration of Patch Panel
Development Team of the Self-Learning Module
Writer: Ronald S. Bobis
Editor:
Reviewers: Felix C. Vergara Jr.
Illustrator: Name
Layout Artist: Name
Management Team: Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin
OIC-Schools Division Superintendent
Aurelio G. Alfonso EdD
OIC-Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Victor M. Javeña EdD
Chief, School Governance and Operations Division and
OIC-Chief, Curriculum Implementation Division

Education Program Supervisors

Librada L. Agon EdD (EPP/TLE/TVL/TVE)

Liza A. Alvarez (Science/STEM/SSP)
Bernard R. Balitao (AP/HUMSS)
Joselito E. Calios (English/SPFL/GAS)
Norlyn D. Conde EdD (MAPEH/SPA/SPS/HOPE/A&D/Sports)
Wilma Q. Del Rosario (LRMS/ADM)
Ma. Teresita E. Herrera EdD (Filipino/GAS/Piling Larang)
Perlita M. Ignacio PhD (EsP)
Dulce O. Santos PhD (Kindergarten/MTB-MLE)
Teresita P. Tagulao EdD (Mathematics/ABM)
 EXPECTATIONS

After completing this lesson, you should be able to:

1. define patch panel.
2. explain the importance of patch panel;
3. understand the configuration of patch panel.

PRETEST

Directions: Carefully read the following questions. Choose the letter of the best
answer and write it on your notebook.

1. A device or unit that contains several jacks, usually of the same or

similar type, for linking and routing circuits for tracking, interlinking,
and testing circuits in a user - friendly manner.
A. Cable panel C. Bay rack
B. Patch panel D. Rear panel

2. The first step in configuring Patch panel.

A. Termination C. Mount the panel
B. Cabling D. Routing cable

3. Part of cable management in patch panel where you must bundle that
are all going to the same server rack or other place can help keep it
looking clean and tidy.
A. Zip ties C. Color coded cable
B. Labeling cables D. patch cable organizer

4. Part of cable management in patch panel that allows you to run lines
neatly and uniformly to each port, allowing you to see exactly where
things are coming from and going to.
A. Color coded cable C. Zip ties
B. Patch cable organizer D. Labeling cables

5. Part of cable management in patch panel that allows you recognize

which cable is in each location.
A. Patch cable organizer C. Labeling cables
B. Color coded cable D. Zip ties
 RECAP
In the previous module, you have learned about network interface card types
and configuration. Specifically, A network interface card (NIC) is a hardware
component in which network controllers are integrated on a circuit board and
communicate using the standard OSI model of seven layers. It also serves as a trans-
receiver, allowing it to send and receive data when interacting with other devices.
You were made aware that assume we want to communicate with another
computer, say a client and a server, and that communication takes place by first
sending signals to the physical layer and then transmitting data packets to the
network layer, which is an interface at TCP/IP.
This module focuses on topic about configuration of patch panel.

LESSON

A patch panel, patch bay, patch field, or jack field is a device or unit that
contains several jacks, usually of the same or similar type, for linking and routing
circuits for tracking, interlinking, and testing circuits in a user - friendly manner.
Patch panels are widely used in computer networking, recording studios, and radio
and television broadcasting.

The word patch originated in telephony and radio studios, where extra
equipment held on standby could temporarily replace failed machines. This
reconnection was accomplished using patch cords and patch panels, like the jack
fields of cordless telephone switches. The patch panel in a LAN links the network's
computers to one another as well as to the outside lines that enable the LAN to link
to the Internet or another WAN. Patch cords are used to connect devices. Circuits
may be arranged and rearranged on the patch panel by plugging and unplugging
patch cords.

A patch panel is a piece of hardware with different ports that aids in the
organization of a group of cables. Each of these ports has a wire that connects to a
separate place. Patch panels can be very small, with just a few ports, or very large,
with hundreds of ports. They can also be configured for fiber optic cables, cat5
cables, RJ45 cables, and other types of cables.
 Figure 1.0
Advantages of Patch Panels
Patch panels are an essential piece of data center equipment. Using a patch panel
has many benefits that make it well worth the investment. Some of the most
important advantages of using patch panels are as follows:
Flexibility – Once a patch panel is installed, you can quickly connect new devices
without having to run new cables end-to-end.
Decreases Cluttered Cables – Patch panels are usually placed closer to the actual
equipment. This allows for the use of a shorter patch cable. A fiber optic or other
high-capacity link runs from the panel to the next network or the internet.
Patch panels are not called "smart" devices because they do not do anything other
than facilitate data transmission. This means they are cheap.
Reduced Cable Costs – Using a patch panel helps you to use shorter cables, which
are less expensive than longer ones. In most cases, inexpensive cat-5 cables can be
used to connect to the patch panel instead of costly fiber optics.
Easier Maintenance – If you ever need to run a test cable, test a port, or perform
some other basic maintenance tasks, you can do it much more quickly and easily
than if each system had its own cable running to its destination.

CONFIGURING PATCH PANEL

➢ MOUNT THE PATCH PANEL
1. Take the patch modules out of the patch panel by pushing the locks inward before
they detach from the opening.

Figure 1.1
2. Attach the patch panel to the bottom bracket of the SCS enclosure with two of the
four mounting screws. Please see the diagram below. If a starter panel is used,
additional patch panels should be mounted underneath it.

Figure 1.2

➢ TERMINATION
1. Cut the cable to the desired length. Figure 1.3 shows how to strip the cable to the
dimensions shown.

Figure 1.3
➢ ROUTING THE CABLE

1. Split the voice (telephone distribution) and data (computer networking) cables and
insert them into the SCS enclosure's cable hole plugs. The voice cable should be
placed on the left and the data cable on the right of the SCS enclosure. Figure 1.2
shows an example of this. Allow for at least 46 cm [18 in.] of extra cable within the
SCS enclosure.

2. Mount a universal wiring mark with the T568A color code side out to each patch
module on the back of the patch plate. Refer to Figure 1.4.
 Port 6 Port 4 Port 2

Port 5 Port 3 Port 1

Figure 1.4

Notes: The port numbering on the rear panel can vary from what is shown in the
picture. Each patch panel has its own wiring scheme and placements. Please read your
manual to ensure proper setup.
3. Arrange the wires according to the T568A color code; if using T568B, simply swap
the positions of green to orange and white, green to white, orange, and terminate the
wires to the blocks according to the tool's instructions. Keep the wire twisted up to
13 mm [.50 in.] from the termination. See Figure 1.5.

Figure 1.5
4. Insert the patch modules into the patch panel's openings, feeding excess cable
into the wall cavity.
5. Mark each port to make it easier to recognize the cable.

Cable Management System with Patch Panel

It is easy for things to get tangled and messy when there are dozens, if not hundreds,
of cables going into and out of a patch panel. Unorganized cables can make
troubleshooting even more difficult and can even result in outages if the wrong cable
is unplugged. Therefore, it is crucial to start thinking about organization as soon as
you plug in the first cable. An individual can do several things to keep a patch panel
organized, including: Organizer for patch cables.
Labeling Cables – All cables should be labelled correctly on both ends and, in many
cases, in the center. Technicians would be able to easily check that they are operating
on the correct lines if the cables are labeled.
Patch Cable Organizers – Patch cable organizers allow you to run lines neatly and
uniformly to each port, allowing you to see exactly where things are coming from and
going to.
Color-Coded Cables – Using color-coded cables, you can easily recognize which cable
is in each location.
Zip Ties – Using zip ties to bundle cables that are all going to the same server rack
or other place can help keep it looking clean and tidy.

ACTIVITIES

A. Direction: Create an infographic showing the cable management system with

patch panel.

B. Direction: Enumerate the steps in Configuring patch panel.

 WRAP-UP

Direction: To assess yourself about the things you have learned from the lesson, fill
in the details below.

Today I learned that ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

VALUING
DIRECTION: Read and answer the following questions carefully in two to three
sentences each number.

1. How will you use the knowledge you acquired about Configuring patch panel.?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

2. Cite a situation in which you can apply the knowledge of understanding

Configuring patch panel.?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
 POSTTEST

Direction: Write T on the line if the statement is correct and F if the statement is
wrong.

___1. The Patch panels are widely used in computer networking, recording studios,
and radio and television broadcasting.

___2. The word patch originated in telephony and radio studios, where extra
equipment held on standby could temporarily replace failed machines.

___3. The patch panel in a WAN links the network's computers to one another as well
as to the outside lines that enable the LAN to link to the Internet or another WAN

___4. Patch panels are usually placed closer to the actual equipment. This allows for
the use of a longer patch cable. A fiber optic or other high-capacity link runs from
the panel to the next network or the internet.

___5. All cables should be labelled correctly on both ends and, in many cases, in the
center. Technicians would be able to easily check that they are operating on the
correct lines if the cables are labeled.

KEY TO CORRECTION
B 5.
T 5.
B 4.
F 4.
A 3. F 3.
C 2. T 2.
B 1. T 1.

Pretest key to correction Posttest key to correction

References
• Google.” What is a patch panel and its purpose” Accessed April 15, 2021.
https://www.firefold.com/blogs/news/what-is-a-patch-panel-and-what-is-
its-purpose
• Google.” Patch panel” Accessed April 15, 2021
https://www.racksolutions.com/news/blog/patch-panel/
• Google.” Network patch panels” Accessed April 15, 2021
https://www.swidenonline.com/category/196/network-patch-panels