Cable queries

Richie's Room · 30 Jan 2022 at 16:35

Hi all,

A couple of questions, if I may:

1. Do you run your ethernet cable from the router direct to the switch or the patch panel?

I've read varying opinions. Some say for cable management / neatness it is preferable to run via the patch panel. Others say that that is just adding another potential failure point and that you should go straight to the switch. What is your preference?

2. How much do you untwist your 8 cables when terminating to a keystone?

Again, varying opinions. Some say that you should maintain the twisting as far as it is possible to do so as this is the most efficient. Others say that in a simple home network (which mine will be) any difference will be negligible. What do you do?

Caged · 30 Jan 2022 at 17:11

A patch panel could be a failure point, but if you're using quality components and using them properly it's very unlikely. I'd say you're more likely to have a failure in a solid core cable terminated directly into a plug as it gets moved around over time.

I've never seen an issue with a patch panel that wasn't either caused by the panel being cheap, or someone trying to re-use one that had been removed seemingly by just pulling it really hard.

Richie's Room · 31 Jan 2022 at 11:09

Thanks @Caged

pepp77 · 31 Jan 2022 at 11:20

There is a reason companies use patch panels and don't go straight to switches. Whilst yes it potentially adds a point of failure, it also adds in potential for redundancy and a neater setup.

As for the untwisting, untwist enough to make the punchdown easy, but just keep it to a minimum. The cm-inch or so of untwisted cable in a socket or patch panel is not going to cause an issue.

Richie's Room · 31 Jan 2022 at 12:27

Good stuff, thanks @pepp77

WJA96 · 31 Jan 2022 at 21:11

Richie's Room said:
2. How much do you untwist your 8 cables when terminating to a keystone?

Again, varying opinions. Some say that you should maintain the twisting as far as it is possible to do so as this is the most efficient. Others say that in a simple home network (which mine will be) any difference will be negligible. What do you do?

I don’t untwist. I separate the pairs and press the twisted pair down into the keystone then punch them down. I posted pictures in another thread. I’ll see if I can find that thread.

WJA96 · 31 Jan 2022 at 21:15

Downward pointing ethernet socket

Richie's Room · 1 Feb 2022 at 09:48

WJA96 said:
I don’t untwist. I separate the pairs and press the twisted pair down into the keystone then punch them down. I posted pictures in another thread. I’ll see if I can find that thread.

Very interesting. Thanks @WJA96

Gregnet · 5 Feb 2022 at 08:19

As someone who designs hospital Networks for a living, i can tell you the only time we have ever had a patch panel failure has been due to human interference! and we run over 50 sites and 5000 users!

but for home use, probebly overkill to use patchpanels, unless you're serious enthusiast or have cable OCD!

Richie's Room · 7 Feb 2022 at 09:36

Gregnet said:
As someone who designs hospital Networks for a living, i can tell you the only time we have ever had a patch panel failure has been due to human interference! and we run over 50 sites and 5000 users! ...

Duly noted. Thanks.

Gregnet said:
... but for home use, probebly overkill to use patchpanels, unless you're serious enthusiast or have cable OCD!

The latter!