Fiber optic patch panel is believed to be familiar to everyone, but if you only understand a part of it, it is difficult to truly understand it in a meaningful way. Therefore, we first need to clarify the definition and purpose of the fiber optic patch panel, and further expand our understanding of it. Now let's take a deeper look at the definition and purpose of the fiber optic patch panel.
The patch panel is mainly used for terminal user lines or trunk lines, and is capable of deploying and connecting them. The distribution frame is the most important component in the management subsystem and serves as the hub for cross-connection of the vertical backbone and horizontal distribution subsystems. The distribution frame is usually installed in a rack or on a wall. By installing accessories, the distribution frame can meet the needs of UTP, STP, coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, and audio/video. The commonly used distribution frames in network engineering are the twisted pair distribution frame and the fiber optic patch panel. Based on the different usage locations and purposes, there are two main types: main distribution frame and intermediate distribution frame.
The purpose of the distribution frame is to manage the front-end information points at the local end through a modularized device. The front-end information cable (Category 5 or 6) enters the equipment room and enters the distribution frame first. The cables are terminated on the modules of the distribution frame, and then connected to the switch through jumper wires (RJ45 interfaces).
In general, the distribution frame is used for equipment management. For example, if there is no distribution frame, the front-end information points are directly connected to the switch. Once the cables have problems, rewiring will be required.
In addition, the management will be chaotic, and repeated insertion and removal may damage the switch ports. The existence of the distribution frame solves this problem, and good management can be achieved by replacing jumper wires.
The usage and quantity of distribution frames mainly depends on the total number of network points or the number of network points on a floor (and adjacent floors, depending on how the system diagram is designed). Different buildings and different system designs will have different distribution frames in the main equipment room. For example, if a building has only four floors and the main equipment room is set on the first floor, all network points of each floor will enter the equipment room. In this case, the number of distribution frames is equal to the total number of network points in that building divided by the number of ports on a distribution frame (24 ports, 48 ports, etc.), plus a certain margin. If a building has nine floors and the main equipment room is set on the fourth floor, in order to avoid excessively long cables, there may be sub-equipment rooms on each floor with switches. In this case, the number of distribution frames in the main equipment room is equal to the number of network points on the fourth floor divided by the number of ports on a distribution frame (24 ports, 48 ports, etc.).
The distribution frame is the most important component in the management subsystem and serves as the hub for cross-connection of the vertical backbone and horizontal distribution subsystems. The distribution frame is usually installed in a rack or on a wall. By installing accessories, the distribution frames can meet the needs of UTP, STP, coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, and audio/video. The commonly used distribution frames in network engineering are the twisted pair distribution frame and the fiber optic patch panel.
As the core product of the integrated cabling system, the distribution frame plays a role in flexible signal transmission, flexible allocation, and comprehensive unified management. It is a specification and also aims to keep things tidy and clear, so that it is clear what is what. It makes it easier to make changes to the wiring.
