I have a heated debat going on with my IT folks regarding the use of patch panel fields and patch cables versus running a cat5e cable and filed terminating a crimp style rj45 end. I know what the standared dictates but I would like some more reasons patch panels and patch cable should be used as our IT folks insist that using patch panels just creates an additional fail point and is not a better solution than using crimp mod ends and connecting equipment directly without a patch cable or panel in between.
I would tell you what I think of your IT folks, but I don't want you to rate this response as IA :-)
Yeah, they have a point. Wiring point-to-point does cut down the chances for failure....provided they used the proper plugs and don't plan on moving them around. It gives them job security because you have to label each cable and when the tags fall off, only they know where the cables go. Plus, a structured cabling system give you, well, STRUCTURE. You're not at the mercy of the guy who "crimped" some imported 8-pin plug on a piece of wire. Wait were those solid or stranded wire plugs? It may run 10 Base T, but it is unlikely that it will run 1000 Base T.
A proper infrastructure contains a patch panel properly labeled and jacks at the computer end, with patch cords of various lengths to the computer and switch. We're a Leviton house, so the link is to their web site.
http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCZzpHome.jsp?minisite=10028&respid=22372
Just my opinion.
Carl
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Usually answered in minutes!
The 8-pin plug is terminated on solid cabling. I agree with you 100%, do you have any reference materials stating so? BICCI or EIA/TIA references? I have to provide hard facts and back it up time and time again. The last information I sent them follows:
BICSI
TDMM (10 Edition)
Chapter 5
“Horizontal Connecting Hardware”
Page: 5-114
“Equipment Connections”
“Do not connect horizontal cable directly to telecommunications equipment. Instead, use suitable connecting hardware and equipment cable to make connections. Locate patch panels and cross-connect blocks so that the combined length of cables and cords used to connect equipment in the work area and TR, plus the patch cable, does not exceed 10m (33ft.).”
Here is another example of the input of our data/IT folks:
I don’t think a patch panel solution would resolve the open ended cable issue. All the RJ 45’s will still be prone to moves making the cable labels wrong and the disconnected cables laying around could still happen. The difference being now the RJ45’s with these issues are located at a main patch panel(s) instead of at the big iron. The type of connector used on the back side of the patch panel is a concern as well. If the back side of the patch panel is a punch down style instead of a locking style we will be susceptible to having the cables pulled off of the back of the patch panel by tension as other cables are moved around.
Don't you just love it?
Thank you for your input it is greatly appreciated.
-Dan
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