PATCHBOX - Simplify Cable Management

The PATCHBOX network cable management system is designed to make your life as a network administrator a lot easier! In this video, we examine the PATCHBOX 365 and get it set up in a small network rack.
PATCHBOX: patchbox.com/patchbox-cabling...
Rack Planner: rack-planner.patchbox.com/
PATCHBOX gave me this unit for free, however all opinions are my own. Subscribe to Crosstalk Solutions and enable notifications for future PATCHBOX giveaway details!
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[@sygad1]

There definitely needs to be a video of Chris just throwing boxes, nothing else, just 5 minutes of box throwing ;-)

[@simonmorgan4860]

Totally a solution looking for a problem, 1u brush box and cables of the approximate length fix 99% of those issues for 10% of the cost

[@tombruton]

Just use shorties

[@Burnman83]

The patch box would be hilarious, if you could plug 48 cables in the back of it and then have extendable patches on the front to pull out for e.g. 1m. Basically not to use it as very overpriced patch cables, but instead as an actual 48 port patch panel with pre-installed, length adjustable patch cables. As it is now, it just seems to be a waste of rack space.

[@FirstLastOne]

It's for same kind of people that would call themselves DJs because they have software on their laptop that can mix the music for them and they can't be bothered to actually do real work but somehow they think it makes them look 'kool'. ffs Even worse is what do you do with all your drops? Do you terminate them on another 'normal' patch panel and then jump them like a poseur?

[@udirt]

I thought its pretty much that. Ugh.

[@sharedude]

I would actually like to have it as a 24 port unit, as an extendable patch panel, so that a drop would terminate at the back of each cassette, and instead of the two very flimsy cables I would have one thicker gauge cable coming out of it to support POE. Would be very handy for locations where you would have to patch differently often, or where you simply want all the cables on standby for whenever they are needed. Price needs to drop a bit tho, a 24port keystone patch panel with patch cables would go for what, around $160, maybe $200 max, maybe add another $100 for ingenuity and clean looks, that'd put it at around $300 per 24 ports, which I could consider, but as it stands now I totally agree that it's a waste of rack space and definitely a waste of money...

[@jpsimmonds-au]

I tend to agree, nice toy but I rarely patch anything these days. During transition period which essentially start/end of year I might need to change a few things, but apart from that its just if new equipment comes in, old removed etc so very few (although we are moving to a new building at the end of this year which is going to be a mass of work but thats a once in a couple of decade thing) at which point why do I need to do this, I can manage this quite adequately with management trays. admittedly these would take the place of the trays but they are still too much money. The companies /dev/mount device is also nice but I have rack studs and have used them for years with no issue, the only thing these have is being metal I could use them on shielded patch panels where I cannot for rack studs without earthing the panel which is just a PITA. The setup.exe, well for me thats a case of shut up and take my money

[@MaxJupiter]

I have to agree I would like it more if I could connect to the back of each cassette and patch it to the device I want

[@GoonSmith007]

Network admins: I wish my cabling was more expensive, more complex, harder to troubleshoot, and took up more space in the rack. Patchbox: hold my beer.

[@mattthomas4024]

Ha! Your cardboard and cassette synchronized dance was absolutely stellar! 🤓😂

[@CrosstalkSolutions]

Cheers - thanks!

[@rasimoes]

Awesome! 😂👏

[@CarlosGarcia-hh8vs]

In most colo (Datacenter) deployments we put the patch panel in the top of the rack or in the middle. Cool product and can be useful in some cases like engineers or network guys who don't do cabling for a living it will help keep the rack cleaner looking. You would be surprised how messy some cab deployment can be. 10' cables connecting equipment only 4u apart hanging all the way to the floor looping back up restricting the airflow from the servers causing them to run hot. This product would be good for them. Love your videos

[@jamess1787]

Top for me, and switch(es) in the middle to reduce server cabling mess :D. . . . And then there's power cables 🤦

[@RogierYou]

I install a single row patch panel above and below the switch me then use 3” ultra thin patch cables. Very clean and easy.

[@syproful]

Flat ones ?

[@rattymahatty8456]

I don't even know the price yet but I'd bet a cost\benefit analysis of deploying these (at scale) compared to typical patching will make this a 'No' from the friendly folks in finance..

[@gamingwithegoon]

indeed

[@winchesterpete7986]

Do they account for time of setup?

[@slappychopchops]

I need this in my life. Home network but thanks to your videos I have POE running various Unifi products and as well as other bits and bobs. I'm in the UK which could scupper my Patch Box plans. My wife thinks every unifi product I've purchased is "only £20" 😬 Now I need to upsell Patch Box products as also "only £20" Thanks again, awesome content as always. 👍

[@deadlymarsupial1236]

Could not help but laugh when the sound of them boxes colliding with the floor and the clicking of those modules into the rack unit aligned so well with the beat of the music. That is some fine video editing there, oh - with a good sense of humor.

[@blueline15]

The editing of the unboxing, the music, and the box throwing was perfect lol.

[@MWONG06]

I am surprised a comment like yours wasn't the top comment! That cassette install bit was so clean 👏

[@simonread4263]

Nice video Chris, I saw Patchbox at a trade show in 2019 and was very impressed with the build quality and how tidy it makes your rack look, and hopefully stay. As much as I would love my clients to buy these are they are a bit price prohibitive when compared to standard patch cables and cable management bars.

[@leonk75]

Looks amazing. Sure would buy it. Love these kind of cool add-on to my network.

[@pitsnipe5559]

Seems a bit redundant to me. Sure it may save a little time but not much. Now, if each cassette had a keystone jack in the back where you could plug in individual drops then, yeah having retractable patch cables makes for a cleaner, more efficient setup.

[@CPurdiePlays]

I keep seeing these advertised on my Instagram and have wanted to look into it more but keep forgetting. This would be amazing in my work server room, which needs better cable management. Thank you for this video.

[@AbylayB]

Thank you for another informative video! P.S. I like the editing of the time lapse as it matches the beat of the song.

[@UltralifeTech]

The patchbox is overkill but their /dev/mount is AMAZING!

[@joshp1011]

It depends. If setting up new equipment often I actually think this is great. I wouldn't put it in a production rack but would be amazing in my development rack.

[@MickeyM__]

yeah I love there Dev Mounts

[@aaronconner-dolgner1955]

As a Data Center Admin....the dev/mount kit is 100% worth it for equipment that still relies on using the ears. I HATE RACK NUTS!!! I am moving to using only the dev/mount exclusively

[@morganmcgary921]

I love every video you produce. I have a unifi server rack setup in my house and I use your content as the review bible for making choices. Great stuff. You haven't failed me yet.

[@MattRobbinsservantofgod]

I saw this when they first came out with the product and instantly fell in love with the idea. I’ve wanted to get one to help with organizing my rack.

[@balla2172]

Can organize your rack and make it look better with norml keystone patch and the think patch cables for 1/6th the price

[@jilpatelyt]

The Box throwing Music Mix got me 😂😂😂 , funny and amazing 😂😂 . Good one

[@ckultra121]

Nice, could have used these in some major Datacenter I have built out in the past. Great for keeping things tidy and intuitive to locate.

[@LasVegasVocalist]

LMAO!!! Nice! 5:04 to 5:26 - An editors nightmare. It's the 22 seconds of video that took 3-5 hours of work to put together. Nice work on the Audio Sync too. That was truly a work of art.

[@expierreiment]

Nice assembly montage!

[@Deus30496]

Patchbox is actually pretty helpful...

[@Red1Wollip]

WOW! What a great product.

[@s.mirandacooper4584]

I can see this being more useful if it would be back in - front out. So, it becomes your patch panel and patch cables. I just can’t justify the ridiculous cost. Not only that but replacing a patch cable that goes bad will cost less than $5 as opposed to replacing one of these cartridges. It just seems like it’s unnecessary spending.

[@jeff8207]

Useful for a rack that is used for equipment setup and configuration. This would normally be a messy setup like placing a switch or other device on top of a rack and then doing the setup while keeping the device from sliding around or falling. It would be handy if patchbox had a cassette to provide AC power as well...at least an outlet on the front.

[@MichelfrancisBustillos]

I'd love this for my home rack that I am constantly moving patches around in.

[@brothertax]

Dope editing with the musical install!

[@alexespinal9135]

That's cool PatchBox never seen one of those.

[@michaelloving8004]

I definitely could use one of those for my network

[@kpurintun]

I wish they had a 'front in-back out' variant. I have several situations where some devices have their ports on the front and servers have them in the back.

[@engrpiman]

Front jn back out would be nice

[@DPCTechnology]

Thanks for the review!

[@davidemahiser]

Very cool! I WANT ONE!

[@HugoWiffen]

I loved that unboxing synced with the music 😂

[@joshp1011]

I would love this in my development / setup rack. Would be so much quicker than always trying to find patch cables while building the temporary rack

[@ronm6585]

Thanks. Great review.

[@OthmanAlikhan]

Thanks for the video =)

[@1jbunceiii]

That thing is so ingenious!

[@rc_brotherz]

What a sweet piece of kit

[@MrGeorgiaBoi706]

This is a great product. I’d love to have this product for my set up it would cut down on all the patch cables that I have. I’d have the exact size I need vs what I have now. I’m going to be setting everything up soon.

[@tsentry]

Why isn’t the top comment about how good the sound and video editing in the 5 min area of the unboxing? 😂😂

[@CReyes7]

The patch box is awesome, more interested in the soundproofing and led strips in the server rack. Can you do a video on those?

[@regchan]

looks cool im in te uk was looking at somthing like this plus im on an open rack design

[@shawnphillips1220]

I'm a lead Surveillance Technician with 2000+ cameras. I have 7 different IDF closets filled with racks, switches, fiber optic panels, patch panels and cable management accessories. This is an amazing tool, however would be difficult to get upper management to drop that kind of a price point on a single panel yet alone to replace every panel, in every rack, in every closet. I wished though!!

[@tilleymania]

The patchbox is amazing. Can‘t stop using it.

[@adancalderon8915]

There is probably a use case for this. I have been fine using lacing bars and cable management units. I have been using the really slim cables from monoprice and patch panels that are built up with keystones.

[@Zerix2889]

I've already had the idea of buying one of those patchbox, although in my case it's also for home user, but I'm using a 24-port patch panel (20 ports used or so) with a 24-port Ubiquiti switch - it would certainly be tidier with a patch box than with many individual patch cables at the moment which I have also placed nicely with some cable management. Nevertheless, I have noticed that if I have to replug something or attach a new device directly to the switch, that it is quite tedious to integrate new patch cables into the current setup and to lay them nicely - even with the length it's not that easy. So yes, it is definitely an additional expense, but there is also some flexibility and compliance. :-) So I'd say it's more for larger network but a nice2have thing for home users and it looks sexy. :P Also didn't knew their are from austria.. even though I'm living within austria next to vienna so yeah.. quite funny to acknowledge that over a youtube video.

[@undergod1987]

As you said. I can definitely see using this in a set up rack to adopt and prep before is talking in a customers location. Still a little pricey for me to sell to small business..

[@sirusvirtus5885]

Awesome 😱😱😱😱😱

[@mowomedia4801]

Hats off to the video editor (if not Chris) syncing the jump cuts to the music beat. 🎶✂

[@brandonreidy6989]

sick unboxing, music match up

[@enforcer252]

Yes on the 3d printed cable management parts. I have had to both use thingiverse models as well as my own custom bracket models for oddball or very specific use case cabling needs both at home and at work.

[@bwright3rd]

This is interesting but pricey. I like the ability to swap out patch types and the right sized cable length. If you're using it for staging, if might work out. I'd keep it if I won it for my homelab but too deep for my pockets

[@TheUlrikkaul]

Very nice, but expensive. How about POE, are they ready for that?

[@skorpion1298]

Oof! The editing was awesome :D

[@jonr3671]

I like the fact I can order it as I need new connections as well once I have cassettes holder. Cuts the price down a fair amount.

[@Brian-L]

Seems like a solution looking for a problem. Could be useful for a rack with frequent equipment changes, perhaps. Not too keen on “pulling” fiber cable out of a cassette. 😬

[@acrusso1]

So badass

[@DergEnterprises]

Good video and not for me or the place I work at. I haven't looked at their website, but a cartridge that has one connector at the front and another at the back would open up a lot of possibilities.

[@spyrule]

This is def. a use case scenario. For the cost of one of those boxes, I could pay for a company to custom rack 3 avg server racks. Now, in a comms closet, or inter-floor room, this could easily pay for itself (esp. in very tight closets where rack access is limited, or very difficult. This could also be very useful in a colocation company, that has central network racks for customer management. This would allow for fast changes with minimal effort. Having said that, this would be less useful for server racks, since many use more then just RJ45 cables (SFP+/QSFP, for example). Again, use case is very specific. Also, the thing that would need to be added, is a bar just above/below where the cassettes slide in, so that you can velcro them to the bar, instead of having a pulled/pinched cable. Initially that wouldn't cause a problem, but after awile, some of those hard bent cables would fail.

[@udirt]

Is it really that cheap to get a good company racking 3 racks? Especially for existing ones that form factor is also quite pretty. Personally I'm not on the boat for them since I don't believe it will change matters with people who just won't do clean work.

[@andrewhelton6119]

They supply a simple cable management system called a Patch Catch that allows you to appropriately organize / run cables from the PatchBox to your patch panel and to your switch. This will prevent any cable pinching and / or straining and actually comes as part kit.

[@El3andro]

Nice design and I would love to use one, but the price is unfortunately too much expensive.

[@navonenicola]

nice informative video a s usual! Were you searching for somthing like this but smaller? "5U 3'' Deep Plastic Vertical Cable Manager with Bend Radius Finger"

[@kenwood7195]

Thank you, you talked me out of wasting my money on one.

[@OldFellaDave]

Can you run POE through every patch safely? Nothing to be concerned about? Those tightly coiled cables trouble me a little ...

[@Jumpondees]

Nice desk pad! ;-D LOL

[@ShaneTheGeek]

Haha nice remix dude!

[@christopherjohnston7953]

I just started my smart home and need one desperately trying to use a Linksys as a bridge sucks not enough ports wish I could afford one but I'm still rebuilding from a house fire but I'm alive and feeling lucky!

[@jeffnew1213]

You make a few concessions (it's too deep, it sticks out in front) in favor of what is a very, very expensive and mostly unnecessary ("totally overkill") accessory. The Patchbox cables aren't even as neat as properly sized cables run directly from device to device. The flat cables don't lend themselves to bends and routing. Glad you got the thing for free. Unfortunately, I think it's a solution looking or a problem.

[@ChucksBasix]

I looked at these after seeing a few advertisements, and honestly, just can't justify the cost. Now, if they combined this idea and used it as a full on patch-panel where you could terminate in the rear of the case, and patch in at the front with a cassette, then they have something. Otherwise, it's taking 1, or more units of space, for what would have been 0 units before. Rack space can be a precious thing.

[@Red1Wollip]

I have a test network setup that could use this product. Cisco Meraki, Mikrotik (Three Routers) along with Ubiquiti and assorted other equipment. My Mikrotik is by far the bulk of my network. I can see where this would make my lab so much more usable than it is now.

[@jaycahow4667]

Have do these flat patch cables work in comparison to regular round ones? I would think it would be hard to shield the wires from crosstalk in flat cables. I would worry about getting full network speeds out of them.

[@davidsomething4867]

I can see the benifit in a rack of servers to a certain degree i.e. have one/two of these at the top of the rack by the switch. I do however like flood patching and using 6" cables with switches and patch cables in comms cabinets. This makes swapping switches so easy when you have multiple vlans/devices on the same patch panel, very tidy and very easy to replace cables etc. Most datacentres I see custom make their cables though so not sure there is a very big market. BTW what flat cables are they, not the cheap copper clad aluminium ones I hope :-)

[@BoricuaFez]

It’s a bit of an overkill. If I have a 48 port switch with two patch panels and two Patchboxes, I just used 5U for just cable management. Tho, the setup.ese is quite nice.

[@PatDengler]

Definitely triggers my organization gene!

[@pingme67]

Looks pretty cool. Heck of a hit to the budget thou

[@DrD6452]

Pricey but ingenious.

[@leoneikes8234]

Hi there, I saw you fighting with the frame during installation of the cassettes. Just use the inlay from the front of the patchbox carton packing as support, in the carton or an the table, while installing the cassettes. you will have space enough under the cassettes to easily put them into the frame. I know the problem with the outstanding cablemanagement-pieces in small/narrow racks, this might be quickly solved by cutting the outward bound parts. for small setups the rest of the "patchcatch" management should do: it keeps the cables at the side of rack. nice equipment, isn't it?

[@fosterslover]

If you need an idea for a video, it would be cool to show off your home assistant instance.

[@wesleypronk1066]

It’s to expensive for the quality you get, it seems to be a nice solution. I’ve tried this product once but after a few times used the cable is not rolling smoothly.

[@cdoublejj]

maybe i lack the experince, i see how this can be useful but i can also do a neat cabinet/rack just by having cable managements skills but more so having the correct lengths of cables or cutting and re terming. HOWEVER breakfix real life can be way too fast paced for that but for really small bussiness and home the correct length of cable is the key

[@minifig404]

The version you show seems to make the most sense for bigger data center setups, where you might have racks of entirely aggregation/distribution. If they had a front-to-back version that worked in lieu of a patch panel, that'd be great for connecting servers to a Top Of Rack switch. For those of us with limited ability/time/space to cable manage, anything helps, but for my rack, this device just doesn't make sense.

[@pow9606]

Personally. I think it suits a smallish business setup. One where the person setting it up doesn't want to make custom cables. Quick, fast and tidy install.

[@JosephAnterola]

I need a patchbox

[@sixtdb]

In the Pro Audio Broadcast industry we use patch panels that incorporate ‘normalisation’ and ‘ half-normalisation’ which means for most cases you don’t need ANY patch cables - only when you need to change something on the fly. Given most racked equipment is permanently patched/connected, why use ANY patch cables other than for temporary connections? Nice looking idea but really an aspirin looking for a headache in my opinion.

[@Rosscoff2000]

I'm in broadcast as well, and understand what you are saying, but you aren't comparing like with like - the back of a jack field of the sort you are talking about has already been laboriously hard-wired or plugged through to all the individual items concerned at the back of the panel, and there will likely be a right mess of cabling there out of sight. In any event that is very much the old mechanical way of doing things - most new facilities are ip based where there is just one ethernet cable from the mixing desk and each group of sources and destinations, and guess what, they all come up on an RJ45 in a rack for patching through switches and other rack devices just like any other network 😀 system.

[@AshforkusMichau]

Good video but I feel like your use cases do not really show the product in the best of light. Might be worth jazzing up a model rack with a patch panel or two with some switches and cables. Do a before and after with the PatchBox

[@allent555]

Both are cost prohibitive. Also made my own mounting blocks years ago.

[@durakis]

so you terminate to a patch panel and then instead of patching to a switch you patch to patchbox and then patch from it to a switch?

[@durakis]

@Marco Stein so you terminate to the back of the patchbox?

[@DimONMINIpeople]

Looking at the orientation of latches on the cables, looks like you need to reorientate the whole patch box upside down. This way you would not need to twist each cable both above and below the device.

[@Bawlk]

How is it twisted pair if it's flat 🤔

[@TalbotUtube]

Is there any free rack design / documentation out there that anyone would recommend?

[@Soda88]

1 fully equipped box is more expensive than UniFi 24 port PoE switch...

[@Rosscoff2000]

The three most important things are 'heat management' 'access management' and, maybe, 'cable management', though even then I might put dust and dirt management and security Iin there.

[@psycl0ptic]

It's a nice idea, but much more cost effective to just buy spools of bulk cable and ends, then cut and terminate to length.

[@AlexandreAlonso]

I don't know when they will have 10G copper cable available

[@employee3dotcom]

Way too expensive for what it is... the Patchbox cat 6a is more than $500!

[@backupaddict1356]

I know, I'd rather use a Neat Patch

[@williamramos2098]

I want one bad

[@basharo]

Nice syncing with the beat @ 5:06 🤣

[@OGSkumse]

No Front-to-Back Cassettes? Would have thought (or at least hoped) so.

[@richardh3924]

I really wanted to see the mess of boxes on the floor at 5.26 😂😂😂

[@manslayerdbzgt]

You need to do a pie home video on how to make it for a websites that are blocked or able to go through some go through but some websites no matter how many times you put it in the whitelist just won't go through especially quick books let us know how to do it if you figured it out