#017: Working With Keystone Patch Panels

Showing some of the lessons learned that I've gone through dealing with patch panels over the years. I've pretty much arrived at what I think is the best solution (if you're starting from scratch).

[MONEYZ]

Man, as someone who's just getting into this as a hobby and was ready to pull the trigger on a traditional panel, I am glad I found this channel. I have learned more on this channel then hours of research on the web. Papa Bless!

[supercj]

I switched out my companies punch panels with the keystone jack panels last year, and I can say 100% that it makes moving things around and troubleshooting SO MUCH EASIER. Huge difference being able to move cables around on the back of the keystone jacks to move switches.

[zeran]

Please add the products you recoment to the show list on the best stuff. I recomend you set up an amazon thing and links so you get a few dollars with the recomended items you show.

[scottmacwatters]

I don't work on network stuff at all, but I love watching these. The focus on maintainable design is really great.

[brandishwar]

Keystone panels are the only ones I've used in setting things up on my home network. The fact I can have both LC and RJ45 keystones in the same panel, along with whatever other type of connectors I want, was the main point of for me. I also prefer the coupler keystones as well since they're a lot easier to work with when you don't want to be making cables - I have a ton of Cat5E cables, and I didn't want to be making more.

Definitely going to be looking for the strain relief brackets as well. Wish I'd known those existed before now.

[Nicoleise]

I've worked extensively with cabled networks in Europe, and am very surprised by your advice.

We work pretty exclusively with keystone panels, always with strain relief, and it's been many decades since we've used the LSA style push-wire-in connectors or panels. And most commonly 1U 48 port patch panels in a configuration with a 1U gap panel to panel to accommodate a suitable (typically 48 port) switch. That way, in a SDN, there's no need for any patch cable management as you can just use 10/15 cm patch cables from the row nearest to the switch from the neighboring patch panels. :)

But the "modular" approach (the dual female connector) strikes me as very odd. For many reasons, but primarily I am wondering if you actually performed a certified network test to the relevant category on that configuration?

So far as I can tell, this configuration is not in compliance with TIA 568, and when I consider what I've seen when performing certified network tests on typically 5e, 6 or 6A, I very much doubt that adding or doubling (depending if you use this approach only on rack or in both ends) terminations will allow the network test to pass?

I ask because you can very clearly see a spike of noise on the graphs on the tester with a "normal" and proper configuration, and you can even troubleshoot the connection in this way with the tester - for example see which end of the termination/connector is faulty, by looking at the size of the spike. I would say that the vast majority of noise, loss, etc. occurs in the connector rather than in the cable run - which obviously makes sense, since all the measures the cable provides (twisted pair, screens, etc.) are disturbed in these points.

With that experience in mind, I find it very unlikely that you can add more of these "noisy passages" and still clear the certified network test of e.g. cat 6A?

I don't know if it's normal to make certified tests on each cable in the US? It's pretty much a requirement in every case here, so it has the upside of gaining a lot of experience in exactly what will cause a cable to fail or perform subpar.

My other concern would be with longevity. I use these F2F connectors in my tech bag for snags where you need a patch cable to be longer, and I don't think they are reliable enough to install in a fixed manner, much like a patch cable is not a worthy replacement of proper standardised network cable. :)

[stanilastefan]

Modular panels are the best invention since the wheel

[nodak]

As a novice, this makes much more sense to me than a standard punchdown panel. In particular because it spreads out the cables for ease of access. Those huge bundles of wire never made sense to me, sure they look nice and are organized but they're a huge pain in the ass when it comes to repair.

[jspafford]

These are especially great when you're installing a mix of cat6, cat6a shielded. They make shielded keystone patch bays. Did a home install with HDBase-T and needed shielded connections on a handful of runs. So you only have to buy the expensive keystone connectors for the ports needed. And it's easy to add ports later. Really wish I would have started with a keystone patch bay. The first cat6a shielded patch bay I got had 4 bad boards in it. Took a day of troubleshooting. And my regular cat6 patch bay is such a pain to troubleshoot. Crimping cat6a stp is tough though. You should do a video on that. How to properly crimp and ground cat6a STP and cat7. And how to add a proper ground when TGBs aren't available.

[pf]

This keystone system is the absolute best idea they’ve come up with for patch panels. I plan on replacing my entire panel with these.

[Netfloorusa]

Goodness gracious! What a huge difference in those types of panels!

We know which type we'd want to work with.

"Abandoned" cables are a huge problem in data centers, server rooms, etc. etc.

Nice video!

- Netfloor USA

[Chadron]

I really am enjoying your videos just watched them all, I am starting to take care of the network at my place of work and your videos have given me many ideas on how to clean up their current setup.

[DJDevon]

Use a dremel to cut the tiny tab at the end of the patch panel. Within 10 seconds you can cut it off clean and grind down any sharp edges. It will free up the space required to bolt together 2 rackmount ears in the same spot instead of mashing them together. :)

Thank you for showing all the different types of keystone jacks. I had no idea there were so many types or that keystone couplers existed. I'll definitely be looking into acquiring some, thanks!

I absolutely love the keystone system. I agree about how the first cables in a patch panel always get buried and covered over by a stack of other cables. Keystone system is much more intuitive to build and troubleshoot. If there is a coupler, jack, or plug issue so what just redo it. It's so much faster and more convenient to work with keystones. I'm going to make my own keystone patch panel now, you sold me on the idea.

I hope conventional patch panels become extinct. They're so much headache and look unsightly even if it's in a dedicated gear room that only installers will ever see. Keystones are the best thing to happen for data installers. Yes I can work with conventional patch panels but I hate it for the same reasons you mention. Keystones are the future (my opinion).

[davidheatherly]

After watching your videos, I had a much better idea for what to do with my new house: 19" wall-mounted rack with UPS and keystone patch panels. That saved me SO MUCH grief!
Sorry to not see much in new content: I've started going back and re-watching the old ones!
Hope everything is ok!

[imark]

I did that. Oh you want more information I'm working on a house upgrade and I decided not to use a patch panel and go direct to switch with the intention that if they do want a patch panel to do it with Keystone's it makes so much sense.
I'm definitely going the way of the pass throughs, here's a tip get yourself some boots they're cheap and prevent cable snacking so you won't have to re crimp hopefully.

[IBM_Museum]

Thank You - I am building up a 6U rack at home that will be placed in the upper corner of the master bedroom closet - the patch panel inside is at least 8' off the ground. Based on your advice I didn't go with an IDC panel I had on-hand but ordered a Keystone-based panel instead - and then even reconsidered against individual IDC connections for having RJ45 couplers. It's easy for me to terminate and feed cables with a male end - and the rack isn't going to be put in a more accessible location in this instance (the width and shortened length layout of the closet, in addition to conserving shelf space and venting to the attic, are the conditions).

Have you ever used film or other materials to cover some rack vents/mesh for baffles to control airflow and noise? The rack will have two 120mm fans (operating at lower speeds with a controller) at the top pulling air from identical vents at the bottom. A switch in the cabinet has two 40mm fans that I will replace (Noctua is all instances) pulling air laterally - I may not even need baffles on either side.

[MrFloris]

Geesh, look at the difference, yeah, that's worth the extra time and money to setup. Maintenance will be a lot easier in the future. WORTH It.

[SkashTheKitsune]

wheen it comes to Cat7 and Cat7a cables, you will have no choice but to use IDC's what I would suggest is finding one that is slim line that folds onto the cable, the layout allows you to wire it up A or B on a flat surface but it then folds up and an outer shell is put around it then you ziptie it, reason for the ziptie is because this allows easy servicing and it's designed to come apart but still allows for secure use wwith a simple ziptie.

You then pop it into the keystone port and use your patch cable to go from one part to another. this is also best with businesses because you get to pull out a keystone, replace it and push it back inside within 5 minutes, you can do the same with the wall and be out with your callout fee, which is easy money when you get the hang of diagnosis steps and replacement

[byondead]

Do NOT use the keystone at 4:45 with a 24port 1U keystone panel. In your video it was fine since you only had one. But if you have two right next to each other, the ends of the bixed wires touch the neighboring keystone. and you end up with a network loop on your network! I troubleshooted at a hotel that had that issue when they upgraded to gigabit switches. Also if you're running POE, you can end up powering two APs off the same port on a switch because of this.

Those keystone should be fine if it was less dense in a 16port or less. As long as you don't have like 1mm gap between keystones.

[sbalneav]

I *really* like your coupling jack, all keystone build. Re-doing my home and cottage network to conform to this. I love the flexibility.