#017

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).

[@supercj12]

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.

[@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.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

+Mr. Antoin That's great to hear! Just remember that my views are not the gospel. I have changed opinion something between a single video! I have a lot of real world experience, but it doesn't mean I can't still be flat wrong. Speaking of that, thanks to everyone who has put up their opinions on materials or techniques. It's very useful to have the various backgrounds all coming together!

[@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.

[@MONEYZ123]

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!

[@zeran74]

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.

[@r.armenalman389]

I agree. There are items throughout your videos that you don't mention what they are and where you get them from.

[@scottmacwatters]

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

[@gorillaau]

The worst rack have seen was filled with cables, pressed hard up against the glass of the server rack. How many patch panels and switches? I couldn't tell. I wasn't there to remedy that one.

[@stanilastefan1687]

Modular panels are the best invention since the wheel !!!!!

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

So true!!

[@DJDevon3]

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).

[@kasunrajapaksha6651]

Great video, clear information about pros and cons. Really appreciate. Thanks again.

[@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.

[@pf5658]

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.

[@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.

[@JaisEdelmann]

Thanks so much for this video! Really helpfull for us rookies doing our first serrious home network setup!

[@Lonestar101]

Thank you. I took your advice and I'm happy with the results.

[@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.

[@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. :)

[@mumolow]

I'm from Europe, too. And do confirm what you said. Just one little remark: the RJ45-F2F keystone modules come in super handy to bring ports to the front that would be buried somewhere deep inside the rack. Just imagine you have a DSL router from your telecom operator company. These things will certainly not come with a rack mount. Even though there are rack mounts for many of those routers, it's the simpliest and cheapest way to simply bring the connectors from that router to the front with such f2f connectors. and you can do this not only with the RJ45 jack but also with RJ11, USB, antenna, power, etc...

[@DavideArgano]

Hi, I’m from Europe too and came up to this video because I’m about to setup a home network with a 24 ports patch panel, a switch and keystones panel at the other ends. What is the best way to set this up? Should I go with a patch panel with keystones holes like in this video? Or Should I go with the punch in option?

[@nodak81]

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.

[@Koren1981]

This is a great knowledge sharing! It will surely help me out!

[@PrestonMainard]

Just did these modular patch panels in my house. I have some fiber that connects one side of the house to the other and it was nice to consolidate fiber and ethernet into one patch panel.

[@davidheatherly7089]

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!

[@alittax]

Thank you for your valuable content!

[@uncut_cowboy]

Great demonstration brother thank you

[@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

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

Thanks so much! I'm getting ready to post a few new videos of this sort of patch panel being used in office networks that I've rebuilt. They are fantastic!

[@chaksq]

Great vid, I want to build patch panels now even though I work in a totally different field. Maybe as a side gig.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

It might be worth exploring. I was a desk monkey for many years before I gave it up (and all the good pay that came with it) to work with my hands, on my feet, and run cables for a living. I'm so much happier here! I'm probably going to talk about it in an upcoming video here.

[@imark7777777]

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.

[@zipp4everyone263]

Good video, thanks! Had never thought about keystone connectors being too wide, seems stupid to make them that wide at all without specifying that they are indeed too wide to fit in a standard panel.

[@kevinJ45252]

brilliant idea this one much better to use and easy repair wants you experience issue on the cabling network. :) big thanks for this

[@demochannel1918]

Awesome example!

[@okidave]

Great video, I do not like dealing with punchdown panels either. I like minicom and keystone panels because they are easy to use and the panel doesn't need to be removed to add more ports.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

Exactly! Mind you, I'm going to be publishing a new video soon where I work with an IDC patch panel that was done just about as good as you can make them. It's not terrible but it still isn't what I would have chosen.

[@gareginasatryan6761]

David Chavez i don’t understand. What’s the difference between punchdown and keystone. I though the keystone is a punchdown.

[@HappyfoxBiz]

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

[@davinadavina1331]

i use keystone couplers too. i bought 300 pass through rj45's. and just went all keystone couplers everywhere in my house on both ends of the ethernet cables. i started out that way from the begining. bought my entire set up on amazon piece by piece and ran a few wires at a time over the course of about a year

[@bpaullus]

Great video! The only thing you need ia a product list of the items you use in your videos.

[@bluegizmo1983]

I'm such a noob I had to find a KZbin video (yours is the first one I came across) to show me how to insert the keystones into the panel properly 😂

[@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.

[@rbastardo7751]

Thanks for your videos, they are really good my friend, would it be possible to have part of your knowledge on pricing a job too please.

[@fregetsflecha7980]

Very helpful thanks

I'm interested to get myself a switch and also ad a patch panel. thank God I came across your video. so informative. 👍

[@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.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

Dude, that is a GREAT point! You're right about that style connector because the ends of the wire wind up pointing directly out the sides of the housing. I'll be sure to mention that in another video very soon. Thanks!!!

[@DJDevon3]

You can get them with protective caps that cover the sides to prevent exactly that. ;) It's not really an issues for wall plate keystone because there is plenty of gap between jacks. Having any exposed wire is a bad idea in general so it makes the most sense to use the one with protective caps. Those are the only ones I've ever purchased exactly for that reason. I've never done a keystone patch panel so no idea if the ones with the caps will increase the width enough to prevent them from being side-by-side.

[@byondead]

yeah I've seen those caps. but from my experience they actually pinch the wires than covering them

[@DJDevon3]

I stand corrected. After looking at them closely the caps do not cover the ends of the wires, still tiny holes. :( Caps won't do it. Will have to get the style you demonstrated to prevent crosstalk between jacks. Well that sucks, I have about 50 of the cap style and they aren't going to work for a keystone patch panel. This makes your video of showing all the different types an extremely valuable video that will have saved many of us erroneous purchases of the incorrect type. Thank you! Also kudos for using the cable strain relief, brilliant addition. I think you could have done it a bit cleaner but the end result is the same. Beautifully managed cabling that is ripe for super easy changes. Superb job.

[@TheJoaolyraaraujo]

Can you suggest a Cat 6 keystone? Do you thing this Keystone bellow is fine? www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Degree-RJ-45-Keystone/dp/B015ETYY0I/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1507728142&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=Keystone+Jack&psc=1

[@tknx2948]

A couple of questions/ thoughts: Cablematters make a 24-port keystone patch with integrated strain relief. What about Cat7? Trying to find a system that works with that seems a bit difficult.

[@JoaoSilva-gs5jb]

Why? Because it's a larger cable?

[@raysrcsandtech]

Just got a keystone patch panel and agreed I like the keystone, can you recommend a good brand of coupler, I have Trip Lite 1u 24 port panel with the strain relief built in.

[@Ricky-mk9sc]

If you want the best Coupler(C6A), try the expensive one-www.amazon.com/dp/B07F6QPVY8?ref=myi_title_dp-

[@gamebrigada2]

Oh man, you should check out the ZMAX style keystone connectors made by Siemon. They are fairly pricey, but I'm currently doing a 2600 count install, about 80% done, and I like them so much that I don't think I'll ever buy a different style keystone. Seriously, contact them, see if you can get a demo or just order some. I reliably get from unprepped cable end to terminated end in under 2 minutes. I seriously expected to have extremely high failure rates in the terminations, but in the 2000 terminations that I've already done with them, I've had less then 10 that I screwed up, the rest have verified at Cat6A spec.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

Very interesting! I'll definitely check out these guys. Maybe they'll send me a few samples (although I think you need a couple specialized tools? I don't have a problem with cost if they cut down on time.

[@gamebrigada2]

There is a specialized tool, but its a cheap plastic thing, and they include one with every batch of 24 keystones. If they don't send you one, throw me a line and I'll send you a bunch. They weren't too keen on sending me samples so I just bought a batch to play with. Edit: For the record, there is no reason to improve on the tool. They don't cheap out on it, really nice fiber reinforced plastic. I used one for about 300 terminations and it still worked fine.

[@blove513]

Great video... I have to connect 12 cat 6 cables. Is it better to go with a keystone patch or punch them directly into the patch panel? This is my first time doing this..

[@coleslaw71321]

This was very informative. Thanks for the help! I noticed if the description you didn't have links to any of the products which I was really hoping to find. Just some friendly feedback. Thanks again for the helpful video.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

I'm going to be doing that from now on. Hopefully I'll have a bit of time in the future to go back and add links to my old videos as well.

[@coleslaw71321]

I cant recommend amazon affiliate links enough! Nice way to make some passive income for sending people to amazon.

[@bobkoss280]

@@FiberNinjaStudios 2 years later and you still haven't found the time to add links. Thumbs down.

[@maxigaming139]

nice now im looking for a Patch Panel Inline :D tnx!

[@jcadventurehd]

i got CAT6A SHIELDED Through Couple Patch Panel from ebay

[@4skin4sale71]

Currently looking for the best way to install keystones, using flush cutters to make it look nice but would love to see a quicker better way

[@UNKNOWN-le2tu]

i love keystones. i bought 25 count f2f keystone couplers, 10 single hole keystone wallplates, 10 double hole keystone wallplates, and 300 pass through rj45's and the correct crimpers. i terminate all my lines with rj45's

[@anyfoolknowthat]

0:94 mark: ***Agree*** on leaving slack behind panel jacks, but that makes for more cable volume. How do you keep them out of the way---without getting tangled?

[@denesk2794]

When I built my house I had no idea that the patch panels would eventually start failing. Bought good quality, installed with quality tools, yet .. a port here, a port there just stops making contact :(

[@aaa000777]

The problem with Keystone jacks is that there is no "1" standard. Each manufacturer's dimensions are just slightly different. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. I prefer Panduit's line of jacks, patch panels and wall plates.

[@rhdtv2002]

Next time can you place links to the things you reviewed to get exact product..btw..awesome video

[@EvergreenLP]

thanks man 👍

[@MaxBrains]

I don't really have any network cabling experience, but crimping an RJ45 connector doesn't seem like that much more work than punching down a regular keystone. Using the coupler-type keystones seems like a better idea overall, and I'll probably go with that myself when I actually get some cables run here.

[@berndeckenfels]

With couplers you double the amount of spring loaded connectors, that not only introduces more failure points but also noise. The ends of those cables with jacks on them are harder to maintain, so I am not sure it’s worth the effort. Punch on keystones seems to have the same modular advantage without the additional connects.

[@imark7777777]

Just mentioned this in a comment on another video about using the couplers, got a reply with concerns about signal loss, integrity and reliability?

[@rlvtrader]

I'm starting to plan the wiring for my house and I just learned about these panels. Quick Question. If I go with the 12 or 16 port versions of these panels, will it avoid the issue of the keystones being too close together? Do the 12/16 port keystone patch panels have more spacing between the ports?

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

They absolutely do have more spacing between the ports. It would resolve pretty much all the problems I mention here!

[@rlvtrader]

Thanks, for the response. I'm leaning toward 16 port route. After doing some additional digging I found that the different vendors also have a 180 degree keystones which would avoid the issue, so that's another option. I'm looking to minimize using RJ45 connectors by using the keystone connectors, so that's why I want to avoid the coupler solution.

[@4eversr]

Hello from germany ! - I am a big fan of your work but I wonder if in the US unshielded network Cable (UTP) is still the standard for network cable installations ? - For example, here in germany most companys are running fully shielded (e.g. CAT 7) network cabling for at least 15 years , and shielding is a "big thing", so i have never seen plastic patch panels/plastic keystone modules or unshielded network cables in any kind of office installation. Even key stone modules are shielded metal parts. - I guess, perhaps there is a regulation or something here in germany, that shielded network installation is required on every office building/professional installation. - Dont't know for sure... Greetings from germany !

[@curtisbme]

I'm not a pro in the industry so I can't tell you for certain, but if shielded was required it would be the shielded version of cat 6 or cat 6a here since Cat 7 is not a recognized standard by TIA. But as unshielded is the standard install, I'm assuming there is no requirement for it in code.

[@andreyhohlov6423]

The reason why CAT5E UTP or CAT6 UTP is still being used is a difference in voltage of power grid. You have in Europe 220V while in US it is 110V, so they still can get away with Cat5E or CAT6.

[@James_Knott]

Make sure you don't pull those strain relief ties too tight, as you'll cause problems. Even if you don't damage the cable, you may cause an impedance bump. Those yellow cables seem to be tied down too tight.

[@bubbisman]

I really like your video. I have a question. I will install network in my house. From the garage into 3-4 rooms. I intend to have the keystone panel in the garage and keystone sockets in the different rooms. I want to use the female-female keystone as you showed in the video. What type of cable (Installation or patch) should I use? How should I terminate them?

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

+Christopher Edling I would really try to steer you away from that idea unless you're trying to avoid working with raw cable and want to just buy prefabricated cables at the various lengths you need and just plug and play. Otherwise, it would be a lot less money to buy a spool of solid cable and terminate them yourself. In many cases, the IDC Keystone jacks come with a disposable punchdown tool in each kit.

[@bubbisman]

Thanks for your reply. I can work with raw cable and buy cable on spool. I am looking to buy Solid UTP Cat6 cable 305 meters initially and then see how much I need. The question is, what kind of connectors should I terminate at the ends? Is it better to terminate with IDC / RJ45 female at both ends than terminate with RJ45 male? Can you link the kind of connection that you think suits best so I get an idea of how you think. I thought you recommended a coupling connector in the patch panel and then a regular rj45 male on the cable? And maybe the same in the wallplate in the other rooms as well? Is it true that some RJ45 connectors only work on the stranded UTP cable and others on solid UTP installation cable? Or can I use any RJ45 connector?

[@jasonhowe1697]

Chris the way I look at it i run fiber into each room as i would care to separate power form comms where plausible and possible... sadly cable you will need to install will have to be fire rated.. if you are determined to wire the home yourself if you are trying to be certified for 10Gb then get someone in that know's what they are doing..

[@arturo_lugo]

So, for the cable holder part of the patch panel, should I just bend its ears in order for it to "click" on the panel itself? I just opened mine and got very confused to see 2 pieces that don't really fit; bending the tray myself seems like brute forcing it to fit and I wouldn't want to end up damaging this. How should I unite the cable strain tray to the front of the patch panel?

[@brian2k1]

I'm upgrading my home network and need to order the keystone patch panels and related hardware, where is the best place online to order? I also need a small rack that will go above some cabinets in my laundry room, ideally one that has the swing opening front, is there a brand you like?

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

Great project! Its a great way to learn without costing a customer money in the process LOL!! For work at home, I'd suggest going with used equipment if you're comfortable with places like eBay. There's plenty of deals to be found on used racks and panels. Also, most large companies wouldn't dare buy hardware from such shady places as that so the prices are really good. Will you have great customer support and warranty? Hello no, but this is just for you personally -and how often do you need warranty work on a patch panel? It either holds jacks or it doesn't! Anyways, that's where I get a lot of hardware that I tend to accumulate in my garage for future projects -and where I've gotten most of the hardware in my personal home network. What I like to do since rack hardware tends to be heavy, is search for sellers that are within a certain mile radius of my zip code. There are usually some rackmount hardware that someone is just looking to get out of their office but don't want to bother with the shipping hassle due to the weight. If you can make a drive and pick it up, it's usually next to $0 for the price! I've landed awesome deals on full-size rack cabinets, high power UPS's, and older server shelves. That being said, I'm also a fan of Monoprice for patch cables. Can't beat their prices for that stuff. In the video above, I got the panel there, but the back support bracket and the narrow, white Keystone coupling jacks from eBay. I found a seller there that was selling the jacks in bags of 50 where the price was the best. I think I eventually ordered around 200 of them from that seller! Good luck with your project!!

[@ford9501]

Hey @FiberNinja, I just found your videos the other day (starting with that 2 hour rebuild one!) and I'm loving them. I agree with what someone said on another video, I'd love to see a time lapse of the stuff in between the shots you show now. Like I'd love to see the hours of work you put into dressing back the cables and re-racking stuff. Where did you get the strain relief panel you showed? Can you share the particular seller? Have you considered contacting Monoprice about adding either a compatible relief of their own, or extending their product line with a modular panel with strain relief? They're generally pretty responsive to customers. Hell, given as much as I've heard you talk about them, I'm sure they'd love your channel too! Thanks for all your videos!

[@jasonhowe1697]

I would becareful what you play with in networking circles unless you have network separation I.E. fiber to copper don't go about arseholing around with networking your home because if screw something up in your install and it passes DC out of home network to your phone line you can be liable for exchange and sub exchange repair.. once you start 1Gb, 10Gb and POE and EOP you can land yourself in some real trouble.. realize this that telephone and lan cable can pass 240 vac as well as -/+ 50-125vdc depending on the grade of cable being used..

[@cangolfpro]

Question for you, I work at a home automation company, and we're constantly arguing about using patch panels in our AV racks. My question is do patch panels add a point of failure that needs to be a concern. For example, if we wire several cameras into our rack, does it make more sense to wire them straight in the network switch rather than a patch panel, then into a switch. I like the look of patch panels but my boss is concerned with adding that point of failure. In a perfect world, I would like to wire everything to patch panels, build the rack off-site, wheel it in and make the final connection from patch panel to switch. Thoughts?

[@swankshire6939]

there really isnt anything to fail. its all hard wired with no moving parts. it really helps with managing lots of things. is proper to use patch pannels. also Panduit keystone connectors are the best thing in the world

[@Johnadude3]

I know this is a really old video but I am just learning the keystone system now. Does anyone know if there are specific keystone standards related to the category of the connector? Basically will a cat 7 keystone fit into the same patch panel originally designed for cat 6 keystones?

[@martyf81]

If only I had seen this video 2 weeks ago. I could have used Coupler Keystones in my rack instead of punching down my own. Would have been much cleaner and faster.... Love your channel!

[@jaimedpcaus1]

Can I connect 2 hdmi cables longer than 6 feet to hdmi keystones?

[@engrpiman]

I am agreeing that the keystone patch panel is ideal but I have a bone to pick with our keystone choice. I have used some of the fatter ICC keystone's and they are ok. belden makes a fantastic keystone that is easy to terminate, small enough to fit and has built in strain relief. I started using them and I'm a fan. they are a little expensive but not bad. if you can afford allitle more then the Belden revconnect takes the fold. it requires a special tool so it costs more to join the club but the speed and awesomeness of the connector is unmatched. you can also convert male to female with out determination.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

+engrpiman Interesting! Is there a product name or some sort of identifier for this?

[@engrpiman]

info.belden.com/ecos/revconnect

[@engrpiman]

the other more traditional jacks are the Belden CAT 6 Modular Jacks - KeyConnect. www.belden.com/products/enterprise/copper/connectors/cat-6-jacks.cfm. we had our newest campus wired with these jacks and they are simple to wire up and feel solid. they also don't into the belden keystone patch panels

[@jlaroche0]

Fantastic video as always. I totally agree - keystones are the way to go. And yeah, it is difficult because there are so many out there and the specs are all over the place. I've had good luck though: I struck gold with keystones and blank patch panels... Namely, I've fallen in love with the Schrack Cat6a Shielded keystone couplers. They are absolutely amazing build quality and 24 of them fit perfectly in my home patch panel. The patch panel I recommend is the blank panel from Intellinet. Check out the links below: Keystones: bit.ly/2ML28eV Patch Panel (with stress relief bracket): bit.ly/2MVr187

[@Ricky-mk9sc]

In our view, R.J. Enterprises Cat6a Shielded Keystone Coupler is considered the best. They have the earliest C5e patented keystone coupler--see :amazon-B07F6QPVY8

[@WattWireNet]

The couplers are way more convenient for all the reasons mentioned, but I have to wonder that they introduce and extra level of resistance vs. a punch down keystone connector. With a coupler you've got the rj45 teeth piercing the small wire, then that connector has to make contact with the coupler and then contact again with the patch cable. The punch down connector has one less contact, chance of signal loss. Just say'n :)

[@blove513]

I have to connect 12 cat 6 cables. Is it better to go with a keystone patch or punch them directly into the patch panel? This is my first time doing this..

[@WattWireNet]

@@blove513 It was a year ago I first started using keystone patch connectors and was worried about their performance. After several projects similar to yours, I have had no problems. So I would go with the keystone connectors... also a big time saver is to use rj 45 connectors that let you push the wires through before crimping.

[@blove513]

@@WattWireNet Thank you Dave! I don't know how to connect to an RJ 45 connector... I think I know how to punch down into the keystone connector.

[@andrewjames9452]

To save time I would use pass through Rj45 connectors

[@johnlange8729]

Great content! Links would be awesome.

[@keaco73]

nice! i was looking for something like this, i couldnt stand punching down cable to those older patch panels. thanks

[@crazysaint931]

I wish I knew these existed 3 days ago 😪

[@Sebanisu]

really cool stuff though could use some links to where to buy the stuff below your video.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

I'm working on that actually! I'm an Amazon affiliate and have started on newer videos providing better information on how to get this equipment. When I have a moment to breathe, I do have it in my agenda to go back through the older videos and provide the same info.

[@LorcanWall]

I prefer keystones but it depends on your uses.

[@nerwin]

What about wall mounted patch panels? Keystone couplings may not be the best solution since they do take slightly more space than IDC panels. That's what I have in my home because space is just limited. But I totally get why you'd want to use those keystone couplings and with that EZ RJ45 crimper you showed in one of your videos, it may not take too much longer.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

I'm sure I could setup a modular Keystone patch panel that is wall mounted. However, if you're trying to set up one of those patch panels that are a mere inch or two in front of the wall, then of course not. Understand that what I talk about here is not a hard and fast rule. Your circumstances may dictate a different choice.

[@nerwin]

I'm not going to lie, I'm kind of sick of punching down. The other day I had a couple bad lines, they would power the Unifi APs but not communicate with the network, turns out two or three wires wasn't punched down properly. So I had to stripe them down and punch them down again using a different tool and all was good. Like you say, Its always good to have extra slack! Love your videos man, I watched all of them lol.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

Hey, I wanted to mention to you that I'm actually working on an upcoming video of exactly this thing (or at least close). I came across an IDC panel that was wall-mounted and done just about as good as possible. It's in the running for the next video I post so stay tuned!!

[@nerwin]

Sweet! I hit the bell so I wont miss it! Haha.

[@taskhunters5245]

How do you ground them in plastic casing?

[@paulvancyber1979]

my patch panels, look bad :( I use belden jacks keyston but they are a mess

[@toysareforboys1]

Do you know of any 48 port patch panels that are 1,3,5,7,9... etc. across the top and 2,4,6,8,10... across the bottom? Thanks!

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

+toysareforboys I've never seen one myself. Anyone else here?

[@toysareforboys1]

Bummer. If one doesn't exist I'ma make some and make a MILLION DOLLARS! It'd be much neater for the US-48 ubiquiti switches :(

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

toysareforboys Ohhhh you got that RIGHT!! That numbering scheme is frustrating,

[@toysareforboys1]

I just bought the cheapest patch panel I could find, and I'll print new numbers for the front and rear of it so it'll pretend to be in the order that I want :) www.ebay.ca/itm/CAT6-48-CAT6-UTP-48-port-patch-panel-2U-110-IDC-T568A-B-22-24AWG-unshielded-/371607196470

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

+toysareforboys Aw man! If you are in the Southern California area I could have given you one! I've got a bunch and I hope to never use them again! Side note: my next weekly video will show an IDC patch panel that was done about as good as you can so stay tuned!

[@2dfx]

I agree with the need to use keystone patch panels. However, I have to disagree with the keystone couplers. At least with IDC keystones. it eliminates an unnecessary impedance change by using the keystone coupler.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

Interesting! Can you point me in the direction of some more information about this impedance change? I've not heard about this before.

[@DJDevon3]

I highly doubt couplers will change the impedance enough to cause any kind of issue. The biggest issue would be ensuring the connection is snug and choosing a coupler that has adequately engineered interconnects inside. A straight pass through coupler will add such a tiny amount of impedance you'd have to use an oscilloscope to measure it. That's just my opinion though, feel free to prove me wrong. That's like saying wall plates add unnecessary amount of impedance. It would be better to have cables hanging out of walls going straight to a PC and avoid the impedance of a wall plate? Same could be said about the prongs on a patch panel becoming prone to galvanic effect, rust, or oxidation due to exposure with the air. I would be more worried about mice in the wall gnawing on cables than impedance gain from a coupler at a patch panel. Don't get me wrong, I'm not disagreeing with you about the couplers seeming a bit redundant and adding another point of potential failure. I'll never use a coupler, it's somewhat defeating the purpose of having a cable terminate at the patch panel when it doesn't actually terminate at the patch panel. I would much rather terminate at a keystone jack patch panel (with or without couplers) or even an array of 8 port wall plates behind the rack than deal with the hassle of a conventional patch panel. Couplers in this situation are a bit redundant. The only thing I like about it and that I doubt anyone would argue with; is the convenient PNP nature of his setup. I'm not saying it's right or wrong to do it. It's a preference and I can't knock him for that. I do absolutely love the idea of a keystone patch panel. I would do it without the couplers but that's my preference. I would still get the convenience of using keystone jacks for easy swapping and so what if I have to open up the rack and punch down another jack. So simple with keystone jacks! Can't wait to build one myself.

[@geneduplantier8779]

Can you list the products?

[@RCTPatriot75]

Keystones are where it's at.

[@jennifermedia6288]

keystone coupler or keystone ? whats the different

[@Lagittaja]

Where can I find the strain relief bar you showed?

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

Actually a good question! I remember I found them on eBay but when I search for "1U patch panel strain relief" I don't get much. The exact part number of the strain relief bar I used in this video is: PP4-3506-1U. I now see that this is titled a "1U Rackmount Rear Cable Support Bar Patch Panel". So, if you just do a search using "1U patch panel support" it should be the top result and there are plenty more. I guess the take away from this for me is that this part is not considered a strain relief as much as a cable support.

[@Lagittaja]

Ah, looks like I used the wrong magic words yesterday, now I'm finding lots of places that sell those. I actually did find it yesterday after I asked but it was late for me and I didn't think about editing my post This is what I found www.firefold.com/1u-support-bar-19-inch-black (probably one of the cheapest sellers, 4.99$)

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

Nice find! When I'm usually shopping for parts and choosing a supplier, I go through a couple of things. Obviously the quality of the part matters somewhat no matter what you're buying but the next issue for me is how fast they can get it to me. Timely delivery is important to me because I'm an independent contractor now. I normally work with a 50% payment of the total fee. From that initial payment I purchase materials I don't have in stock. So the sooner I get the parts, the sooner I can get started, and the sooner I can finish and get the final payment. This job was a difficulty because I thought I had in my garage parts that would work on this job but was quite wrong. Then there was a shipping delay and it probably cost me about 3 weeks of time getting this job done. With that said, I will shop on eBay but if at all possible I will choose a seller that is in the area where I'm working. I'll ask if they can do local pickup and that will tell me if they actually have the parts in stock or are just a drop shipper for suppliers around the world. Sometimes I'll drive to them, or still have them ship it to me (depends on a number of factors). If you're not in a hurry, or don't want to pay for overnight shipping, then by all means, use online suppliers like what you listed. If you want a good laugh and fall in love with this company (FireFold.com) check out their About Us page. Their company staff photos are awesome!

[@adamdouglas7666]

I like this one since it has the 24 port keystone panel and cable manager bar together in one piece. www.firefold.com/patch-panel-blank-24-port-vertical-cable-043-382-24-1u

[@timlipinski2571]

Thank you for the link Adam ! Ordered two 24-Port Patch Panels right away... And the Cable Manager just snapped into place (Am I over qualified ?). The price was less than from ebay for a Patch Panel (yes I am a fan of ebay). Also went with Cat 6 Keystones... tjl

[@vernertrejog.826]

fantástico gracias

[@timlipinski2571]

Just RCVD Vertical Cable 24 Port Blank Patch Panel with Cable Manager from FireFold ! The Cat 6 Keystone snaps right in... This is a great idea for a small office or home. The website www.firefold.com was easy to shop off ! tjl

[@3dmagictricks]

using couplers are no no for a professional setting, maybe in your home its ok, Its like gluing a line of couplers on a shelf making a DIY panel (that wont pass). also you are choking the cables with zipties , too tight causes deformation in the cable

[@abdulqadir150]

Good

[@takahiroyoshiyuki]

can you link the strain relief bracket? and everything else you talked about?

[@mktechtvph]

How to remove jacks in the keystone?

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

There is a clip that runs along the top edge of the Keystone connector. A small screwdriver can be inserted in the back above that clip and below the housing. In most cases, just this insertion will unlock the jack from the panel. If not, simply press down on the locking tab and it will give way. Your question gives me an idea and I think I'll add this to my list of "at the bench" videos that are soon to be released. Thx!

[@Bezerker1181]

Get an IDC panel for shielded cabling. You'll get all the nice cable retention routing going strait out the back instead of to the side and IDC is still way easier to connect and troubleshoot then rj45 connectors. Also whats the point in keystones connecting patch cable to patch cable? might as well patch the first one strait into what you need it for and save the connection resistance of adding more connectors which can and will hamper with speed and stability.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

You're absolutely right. It would be less connections --or would it? Compared to an IDC? How exactly are there less connections -and connection resistance? Coming in the back, it hits the IDC (connection #1), then it presents a female RJ45 at the front that accepts the patch cable (connection #2). The only difference is that the single IDC is replaced with another RJ45. It's still the same number of connections. There may be a very slight amount of greater resistance between the connection of an RJ45 compared to an IDC that is gouging the solid copper wire but that's far from adding more connections -and not as significant of an increase as you may think.

[@Bezerker1181]

Saying an IDC is a double connection is like saying a RJ45 plug is a double connection which technically your right but then don't forget to count the extra RJ45 plug connections. How you calculate it doesn't matter because in the end its the keystone that creates 2 extra connections not the RJ45/IDC.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

+Dark One Now its TWO extra connections?

[@Bezerker1181]

Nope your right one extra connection not 2 (don't know why i wrote 2 in last post). But in my experience i have definitely noticed performance degradation while using splices and keystones like that. Heck if your doing 10 Gbit over ethernet is an absoluut no go but then again your not using shielded cat6 cabling so that doesn't matter anyway. I always try to avoid that stuff as much as possible.

[@curtisbme]

Sounds more like a quality issue with the comparative parts you are using. As noted, punching into a panel is no different in terms of number of connections than punching into a keystone or using a male connector into a female/female connector. None of them will be better or worse at 10gbit if they are correctly built and rated for it.

[@the_hwyman]

Any opinions of using a staggered patch panel? That seems like it would fix a lot the issues raised in the video and in the comments. ex: www.firefold.com/nbp-6324

[@logikgear]

Where do you get the strain relief bracket?

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

The search term you want to use is "1U 19 inch patch panel support bar". At the time, I found mine on eBay for about $5 each. I think I purchased around 5 of them when I did so I'd have a few spares when needed. I also have found better patch panels since then that already have the support bar built in and are still fairly low in cost. I'll see if I can dig them up to mention in an upcoming video!

[@logikgear]

FiberNinja I'm glad I found this video. I almost bought the in line couplers for Monoprice. I would have had a bad time. Where did you find the white ones that for the mono price patch panel. Also. Just a suggestion but maybe put a link to the new gear that you installed in the video description for your videos.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

The last batch I purchased was from eBay. They are still being sold there. Here is the link: www.ebay.com/itm/White-RJ45-Female-to-Female-UTP-CAT5e-CAT6-Keystone-Jack-Inline-Coupler-10-pk/182145816499 After a little bit of experience, you'll be able to spot these when sold online and recognize right away if they'll fit or not. The only problem comes when the item delivered is slightly different from the photo. If you'll remember from my video, there were small tabs that stuck out in 4 corners of the coupling to position the item against the face of the panel. In the photos of the above link, there are just 2 long ears that jut out on each side to serve the same purpose. Well this is the exact item I purchased for the ones shown in my video! So just know that this could still be an issue if the photo doesn't perfectly match the reality! At quantities of 10 and above, your costs should run you right around $1 per connector. I haven't spent too much time trying to beat that price but I also haven't needed to do any large purchases lately to require the work. I have a hunch that in quantities of 50 to 100 there may be sellers out there that will give you an even deeper discount per unit.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

I almost forgot, if you read through the product reviews on Monoprice for the 24-port 1U patch panel, you'll find plenty of people complaining that their own keystone connectors don't fit this panel. Well if you dig deeply into the reviews, I think there were a couple of people that mentioned the few keystone parts that Monoprice sells that DO fit in those panels. In my case, I think that only the IDC jack was available to fit the panel as opposed to a coupler. Then again, that was at least a year ago so things may have drastically changed since then!

[@logikgear]

FiberNinja Thank You SO much! This is a great help! I can't wait to order these compents and re do my rack!

[@philipp594]

The couplings should have a lot more damping.

[@_Steven_S]

Couplers in a patch panel..... Might as well use a strain-relief bracket and plug the cable straight in to the switch IMO. Otherwise, very good tips.

[@aguyandhiscomputer]

Steven S I thought that too but I'm sure there's a situation where it makes sense.

[@n_a3522]

Product list? Links?

[@Ricky-mk9sc]

R.J. [e-mail]

[@buddy3441]

This 6A patch panel amzn.to/2yJtF7L is probably the best you can get for under $80. 10Gbs and it's shielded!!

[@timisthebest]

Im not sure why anyone would use keystone couplers and RJ45 jacks like that in a patch panel. Punchdown keystones are faster, more secure and easier to repair/replace. If you really want to use a strain relief backplate like that, why wouldn't you just get a patch panel with an integrated one? Most of the major manufacturers make these type of panels. Personally I dont like those style strain relievers as it makes cable looming and organizing more difficult. but to each their own. I m also not a fan of the liberal use of zipties. Zipties take longer to change, are harder to get at and you risk damaging the cable with every removal and re-installation of one.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

+Tim Lampman How are IDC panels easier to repair exactly? It has not been my experience at all. I willfully accept the extra time and expense of modular Keystone patch panels for the ease of repair later.

[@timisthebest]

Thats not what I said, I said the punchdown keystones are much easier to replace and repair than putting RJ45 ends on the cables and using couplers. I really dont know anyone that uses IDC anymore unless there is a specific reason/spacing concern.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

+Tim Lampman Ooooohh!! Ok yes, that makes sense. In the 2 most recent videos where I've done that, it was for several reasons. 1) in both cases, the ends were either already terminated or were already just very long, factory-terminated cables and it would have been more work to cut the ends and punch down. 2) in the case of my 2 hour video, I knew I would be dealing with interwoven cables that would need to be combed out and being able to quickly disconnect and reconnect made that process much easier.

[@jamisusijarvi646]

harder to get zipties?

[@hikingpete]

Please don't put male ends on your solid wire. Male ends use what's very much like an IDC oriented parallel to the wire. Besides fitting in the tighter space of the plug, it also helps it make more reliable connection with stranded wire. However with solid wire, the blade is unable to grab onto the copper in the same way as it does with a stranded wire. In short, while you can make connections that work, reliability is a real problem when you put a male end on solid wire. Plugs are for stranded, jacks are for solid.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

+Stefan Buller I only use EZ-RJ male connectors for both Rj45 and Rj11 plugs. That product line is designed for both solid and stranded wire. When selecting a brand of connector, they will specify if they're designed for either or both. Good to point it out though for people that aren't aware.

[@sunilwhynot4846]

More flexibility for the work with keystone plugs

[@omumaro]

www.cabling.datwyler.com/en/products/ict-networks/copper-technology/connecting-hardware/patch-panels/product/patch-panel-ks-24x.html?cy=INT&cHash=a1be2fb5ba4a4ba17b26c172104324de and www.cabling.datwyler.com/en/products/ict-networks/copper-technology/connecting-hardware/patch-panels/product/module-ks-t-plus-18-tool-less-cat6a-iec.html You can reuse them over and over again.

[@FiberNinjaStudios]

Awesome!! Thanks for the links!! I think I managed to find these pages myself a while ago but long since lost them. I got these patch panels from eBay being sold as a lot. Just a big box of patch panels of all shapes and sizes.

[@eboy924]

Check out fs.com