Patch Panel questions

Before I purchased one, is there any particular type I need? Would a cheap one off ebay just as good as a cheap one off an online retailer?

Just to make sure I got this right. Say I have 5 rooms that are wired with cat5 and ready to go.
The order will go modem > router > patch panel > cat5 leading to each room?
I'm guessing since I will more than likely have a 4 port router each one of those ports will be going into the rear of the patch panel and on the other side will be the cable leading to each room. Correct?

I believe the traditional setup for a patch panel is to have all the equipment cables in front(cables that go between equipment) and have the node cables in back. In other words, punch down the cables going to the nodes, since those won't be changing. That way, you can have patch cables going from your equipment(router in this case) to your nodes without having to mess with the node cables themselves. If you plugged your node cables into the front of the patch panel then you would have those cables run from the front of the rack to the inside of the rack or wherever your node cables go, and then you would have your router cables go from the front of the rack to the inside of the rack. Though in this case, unless you are doing a fancy rackmount setup, a patch panel seems completely worthless. Why not just plug the node cables directly into the router?

Or get a router and a switch, whichever you want hehe, but yea, the patch panel seems kind of worthless.

jpmkm said:

Though in this case, unless you are being very fancy, a patch panel seems completely worthless. Why not just plug the node cables directly into the router?

Click to expand...

I agree with you there, so there is no need for the patch panel. Here's another question. I know I can use a wireless router to accomplish the above task, and still use the wired portion. In one of the rooms I will have a computer, xbox, and wireless laptop. What would be the best option for that? Another router?

Another router isn't necessary, just get a small switch and it should work fine, thats what I use for my pc, my notebook when I have it here in my room and my playstation 2.

Just remember that the maximum number of ports you can use on the patch panel is the maximum ports you have on your switches/router. In the environment you described and patch panel is not necessary. You'll also need a punch down tool to connect the ethernet cables to the back of the patch panel.

You will get your fingers a workout with a patch panel hehe

What kind of switch am I looking for? Can you please post a link or the model number of a good switch?

Just stick to main stream, for home use I like netgear, and you can find netgear just about anywhere.