# Network cabling question (probably silly) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 29, 2005, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-cabling-question-probably-silly/296842 "2005-03-29T22:41:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2005, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-cabling-question-probably-silly/296842/1 "2005-03-29T22:41:21Z")
What’s the reason we terminate the cables on a patch panel and then run a cord from the patch panel to the switch? Wouldn’t it be more convenient to put RJ-45 clips at the ends of the cables and connect them directly to the switch? ---
**Author:** ![MC\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@MC\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_E)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2005, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-cabling-question-probably-silly/296842/2 "2005-03-29T23:13:04Z")
1. It comes out neater that way 2. It’s easier to tell what jacks are connected to the switch 3. It’s better to have the RJ45 plugs on an easy and cheap to replace patch cable, than crimped onto the Plenum-type cable. They WILL get loose over time if you do this. 4. It’s probably part of the Ethernet standard, but I’m too lazy to google it right now. I’ve done it both ways, and the patch-panel method looked much nicer and was more reliable. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-cabling-question-probably-silly/296842/3 "2005-03-30T03:03:48Z")
I think it’s to maintain a standard. Conceivably, you could use the cable run for other devices. Ethernet uses only four of the eight pins, so RJ-45 tips on each end might be made without connectivity for all the pins. I’ve run cable for electronic signs that use all eight pins. Some of the old runs apparently don’t have all the unused wires intact; it will work with a PC or printer, but not a sign. Using patch panels for signs isn’t recommended because it introduces the possibility of bad connections. Like the other guy said, it’s a lot easier for the new guy to work on the stuff if everything is terminated properly at a patch panel. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-cabling-question-probably-silly/296842/4 "2005-03-30T03:09:05Z")
I forgot. Patch panels preserve pairs of wires and patch cords do not. A pair is twisted together to reduce noise. I was running 20’ cables from the switch to PCs with “straight through” cables that didn’t preserve pairs. It wasn’t a problem at 100MHz, but when we went to 1GHz, things stopped working. When I finally realized the problem and made the cables with the proper pairs, all was well. Here’s how they work: [http://yoda.uvi.edu/InfoTech/rj45.htm](http://yoda.uvi.edu/InfoTech/rj45.htm) So, at 1GHz, cable with patch panels will work, but store bought cables with tips might not. ---
**Author:** ![Cleophus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e57/32.png) [@Cleophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cleophus)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/network-cabling-question-probably-silly/296842/5 "2005-03-30T03:51:34Z")
Plus, if you’re screwing around with terminated leads hanging out of the wall there’s a risk of damaging the entire run. It’s a lot easier to replace a patch cord if someone accidentally yanks on the cable if they trip or something than to re-wire a cable run.