This guide explains what a patch panel is, how it works, the main types available, and what to consider when specifying one for a copper or fibre installation. A patch panel is a passive termination and management device mounted in a rack or wall cabinet. By linking wall outlets or devices to network switches through. If you've been asking what is a network patch panel, the short answer is this: it's a passive device that acts as a central connection point for all the network cables running through your building. In a data center, cross-connection refers to the use of additional patch panels that mirror the ports of connected equipment. A patch panel is one of those components that is easy to overlook when planning a network — it does not switch, route, or process data, and to the uninitiated it can look like an expensive way to add an extra set of connectors between the cable and the switch.
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