burgemaster Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 (edited) Hi, We have just had a couple of network points put in by a different network company. When I went down to patch then in, they said its ok ive put connectors on the end of the cables. You can plug them straight in to the switch. Before I say please come back and put them into the patch panel, does anyone know if this is regulation or best practice etc? I'm not really bothered that they go straight in to the switch as its a bit of a mess, but would like to know before I say something? Thanks in advance Edited January 31, 2014 by burgemaster
Gatt Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 I, personally, would recommend a patch panel - that way it can be properly labelled for each of the ports.
Gibson335 Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 We have some ancient cabling done that way, but I would always go for a patch panel...much easier when testing for issues...much easier for managing the cab. Not heard of any cabling companies who don't use them as a rule...but then did they quote for them, were they on the order?
tmcd35 Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 Is there a patch panel already in place they could have used, or would they have needed to quote for a new patch panel? Any company who did that here would get called back and never used again!
localzuk Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 There aren't any rules regarding it in the UK. However, there is a reason for doing it. If you don't terminate infrastructure runs of cat5e in a patch panel, then you're putting strain on the wire - meaning over time it could snap. Repairing/replacing the run is a heck of a lot more expensive than replacing a short patch lead. The runs between switches/rooms generally use solid cable, which can crack if moved over time. Whereas patch leads use stranded cables which are more flexible. 1
Oaktech Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 I've been guilty of doing this if I consider the line i'm putting in is just a temporary thing/last minute bodge... Otherwise it's patch panels all the way!
GeekyPete Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 (edited) The cabling in the wall/ceiling should be solid copper core. This will break if flexed to any greater degree. Therefore terminating it in a patch panel is the way to go. Patch leads on the other hand use stranded copper cores which is much more durable. EDIT: Exactly what was said two posts before. I really should read more carefully. Edited January 31, 2014 by GeekyPete
plexer Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 The solid core used for infrastructure would only break with repeated movement and these things aren't moved very often but I would still prefer patch panels. Ben
Gibson335 Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 Also, if you ever want to VLAN then you can colour-code your patch cables for a visual ID (rather than use labels). Increases your possibilities for a very reasonable cost, the humble patch panel.
plexer Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 Also, if you ever want to VLAN then you can colour-code your patch cables for a visual ID (rather than use labels). Increases your possibilities for a very reasonable cost, the humble patch panel. True and not just when vlanning either if you have a flat network and different devices phones Poe waps etc.... Ben
SkreeM1980 Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 I would go spare, unless i had specifically told them to bodge it and scarper. Proper Structured calbing terminates at Panels and should be tested as such, the standards then allow for up to 10Mts total of "Fly/Patch lead" at the respective ends.
GeekyPete Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 patch straight in = half a job. Then you get fired because of the kind of bloke you are and it then = 4x the job for the bloke who fills your shoes.
plexer Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 Some interesting documents https://www.anixter.com/content/dam/Anixter/Guide/12H0001X00-Anixter-Standard-Ref-Guide-ECS-US.pdf https://www.anixter.com/content/dam/Anixter/Guide/12H0005X00-Anixter-Installation-Pocket-Reference-Guide-BOOK-W%26C-EN-US.pdf Plugs are available for solid cable as well. Ben
SYNACK Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 Eep, worst practice, solid core is not designed to be terminated with the little plug blades and so the connection is going to be suspect at best let alone the bend etc. Get them back and tell them to sort it with a patch pannel. Might want to watch and make sure they don't sit there and untwist 10cm of the end of each cable to patch it in, this is also shocking but probably if they tries to get away with plugs on the end of solid core.
LukeC Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 We have some done this way, and the ends are shocking any slight movement we can lose connectivity or it drops from 1gb to 100mb. I'm sorting this over the next holiday - I always say go for patch panels!
MatthewL Posted January 31, 2014 Posted January 31, 2014 Oh dear. What if them points were not going to be used for data and you wanted to run a video sender over one!! Get them back in to re do it and terminate to a patch panel, what is a patch panel, £50, its nothing. Cross them off your list and don't use them again.
AngryTechnician Posted February 1, 2014 Posted February 1, 2014 Solid core is not designed to be terminated with the little plug blades and so the connection is going to be suspect at best let alone the bend etc. Just to nitpick on this - there are such things as solid core plugs where the blades are designed differently and work fine with solid cable. I sometimes use them to wire in APs, and they work fine. Still best practice to use a patch panel, but if they have used the right termination plugs, connection quality should not be an issue.
actech Posted February 2, 2014 Posted February 2, 2014 Then you get fired because of the kind of bloke you are and it then = 4x the job for the bloke who fills your shoes. I think Theblacksheep was implying that you have only done 1/2 the job if you patch straight in, not that he would only do a half arsed job himself! You know what happens when you ass-u-me!!
Gaz Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 What about getting something like this. Black Box Cat6 Feed-Through Patch Panels
Trev_LCHS Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 What was the Company name? I ask so I know never to let them near my site, not getting at you, just want to make sure they don't set foot in here
chazzy2501 Posted February 3, 2014 Posted February 3, 2014 No patch panel? Sounds like someone having a go not a professional. Are they using pre terminated cables as well? are they even using solid core? if I saw this I'd fire them and withhold payment. Unacceptable. (unless its an in house bodge because you just need it "now":)
tensop Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 this sort of stuff is part of a death by a thousand compromises...
localzuk Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 (edited) What about getting something like this. Black Box Cat6 Feed-Through Patch Panels Not a terrible idea, but as someone else said, putting an RJ45/8P8C connector on the end of a solid core CAT5e/CAT6 cable is not going to be as good as on a stranded one - the contact may be a bit hit and miss. So, you'd need to make sure its properly done. Not to mention, those panels are outrageously expensive! Normal ones are £20-£40. I'd still say do it properly with a punch-down patch panel. Edited February 5, 2014 by localzuk
seawolf Posted February 5, 2014 Posted February 5, 2014 I would fire the company that did that without a seconds thought.
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