Patch panel in small business?

Is there any advantage to using a patch panel in a gigabit ethernet network?
I'm pulling all new cables for less than 24 stations in a small business. The
owner is questioning the need for the panel and wants RJ-45 plugs crimped
right to the cables which will be plugged into the (cheap) Linksys SR2024
switch.

He's arguing that the fewer connections the better the reliability. I have to
agree, but is there any reason I'm missing to use a patch panel in this
situation?

Thanks,
--
John English

> I believe plugs crimped to solid wire cable are enough less reliable to
> offset the other points of failure. That doesn't mean I wouldn't do it,
> though. How much does the patch panel cost?
> -- glen

About $40, retail, local. But it's not the cost, so much as the reliability
issue (110 punch down plus the patch cable's connections, vs. crimped plugs
into the switch).

You're of the opinion that made-for-solid wire RJ-45 plugs crimped to solid
cat5e cable is not reliable? I was not aware of this...
--
John English

In article <(E-Mail Removed) .net>,
John E. <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>Is there any advantage to using a patch panel in a gigabit ethernet network?
>I'm pulling all new cables for less than 24 stations in a small business. The
>owner is questioning the need for the panel and wants RJ-45 plugs crimped
>right to the cables which will be plugged into the (cheap) Linksys SR2024

I'll be interested in hearing what others say on this but one
important point if you go this way is that there are different plugs
for solid and stranded cable. Make sure you use the right kind.

If the installation is small enough that you don't have plenum issues
to contend with you might be able to get away with just buying long
patch cables and not have to make anything.

>He's arguing that the fewer connections the better the reliability.

True, but better connections are also better for reliability. A crimp
usually a worse connection.
--
Jim Prescott - Computing and Networking Group (E-Mail Removed)
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Rochester, NY

"John E." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> Is there any advantage to using a patch panel in a gigabit ethernet
> network?
> I'm pulling all new cables for less than 24 stations in a small business.
> The
> owner is questioning the need for the panel and wants RJ-45 plugs crimped
> right to the cables which will be plugged into the (cheap) Linksys SR2024
> switch.
>
> He's arguing that the fewer connections the better the reliability. I have
> to
> agree, but is there any reason I'm missing to use a patch panel in this
> situation?
>
I work for a communications company and I deal with stuff like this daily
and personally I would go with a patch panel having that many connections.
If it were less than 6 i might not worry about it however in this case to
keep the wiring nice and neat plus add flexibility I would keep the patch
panel.
Also if you terminate the cable correctly you will likely never know there
is a termination (at the patch panel), so be sure to keep the pairs twised
right up the pins on the 110. Another thing to think about is that you can
use patch cables that are premade and tested. if you crimp your own you risk
them not being as good as a professional cable. I make my own cables daily
but I know how to do it correctly if you do too then fine.. but the
flexibility of a nicely wired patch panel is worth alot more than the cost
of it.
Ask him this, if patch panels are no good why do the biggest datacenters in
the world use them?

Adair

"Jim Prescott" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>
> I'll be interested in hearing what others say on this but one
> important point if you go this way is that there are different plugs
> for solid and stranded cable. Make sure you use the right kind.
>
> If the installation is small enough that you don't have plenum issues
> to contend with you might be able to get away with just buying long
> patch cables and not have to make anything.

It sounds like the cable is already in place.


>>He's arguing that the fewer connections the better the reliability.
>
> True, but better connections are also better for reliability. A crimp
> usually a worse connection.

I agree. A patch cable with good strain releaf is a much better way to go.

John E. wrote:
> Is there any advantage to using a patch panel in a gigabit ethernet network?
> I'm pulling all new cables for less than 24 stations in a small business. The
> owner is questioning the need for the panel and wants RJ-45 plugs crimped
> right to the cables which will be plugged into the (cheap) Linksys SR2024
> switch.

> He's arguing that the fewer connections the better the reliability. I have to
> agree, but is there any reason I'm missing to use a patch panel in this
> situation?

I believe plugs crimped to solid wire cable are enough less reliable to
offset the other points of failure. That doesn't mean I wouldn't do it,
though. How much does the patch panel cost?

-- glen

> It sounds like the cable is already in place.

No, not yet.

> I agree. A patch cable with good strain releaf is a much better way to go.

Seems to be the consensus.
--
John English

> I'll be interested in hearing what others say on this but one
> important point if you go this way is that there are different plugs
> for solid and stranded cable. Make sure you use the right kind.

Fully aware of the difference and need for the former (solid) type, in this
case.

> If the installation is small enough that you don't have plenum issues

What are "plenum issues"? You mean running between floors and such? No such
thing in this small, 1-story building.

> to contend with you might be able to get away with just buying long
> patch cables and not have to make anything.

50-60 foot patch cables??

>> He's arguing that the fewer connections the better the reliability.
>
> True, but better connections are also better for reliability. A crimp
> [is] usually a worse connection.

Ah, good information to know.
--
John English

John E. wrote:
> Is there any advantage to using a patch panel in a gigabit ethernet network?
> I'm pulling all new cables for less than 24 stations in a small business. The
> owner is questioning the need for the panel and wants RJ-45 plugs crimped
> right to the cables which will be plugged into the (cheap) Linksys SR2024
> switch.
>
> He's arguing that the fewer connections the better the reliability. I have to
> agree, but is there any reason I'm missing to use a patch panel in this
> situation?
>
> Thanks,


Its never appropriate to use solid conductor cable as patch cable which
is effectively what you are doing by crimping a plug onto the solid
conductor cable.

Sounds like you are just dealing with someone who wants a cheap job and
wants to tell you what to do even if it isn't standard practice.

John E. wrote:
>> I'll be interested in hearing what others say on this but one
>> important point if you go this way is that there are different plugs
>> for solid and stranded cable. Make sure you use the right kind.
>
> Fully aware of the difference and need for the former (solid) type, in this
> case.
>
>> If the installation is small enough that you don't have plenum issues
>
> What are "plenum issues"? You mean running between floors and such? No such
> thing in this small, 1-story building.


Actually you could very well need plenum rated cable in a 1 story building.

>
>> to contend with you might be able to get away with just buying long
>> patch cables and not have to make anything.
>
> 50-60 foot patch cables??
>
>>> He's arguing that the fewer connections the better the reliability.
>> True, but better connections are also better for reliability. A crimp
>> [is] usually a worse connection.
>
> Ah, good information to know.