Cable queries

[Richie's Room]

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?

 

[Richie's Room]

Thanks @Caged

 

[Richie's Room]

Good stuff, thanks @pepp77

 

[Richie's Room]

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

 

[Richie's Room]

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.

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

The latter!