Once both the patch panel and switch are installed, start connecting the cables to the patch panel. Use a punch-down tool to push the wires firmly. There is a patching strategy I like to use when you are stuck using a box of 7 foot cables when all you really need are 3 foot cables. None the less, we all want it to look as neat as it can when we are done. I'm going to show you my practice when it comes to patching which can be easily modified. Although a patch panel and a switch can look similar in a rack, they play very different roles in a structured cabling system. Terminating custom cables I'm sure looks nice, but is a pain in the ass, takes time. From there you mount your switch nearby and use (appropriately named) patch cables to connect each port on your switch to a port on the patch panel. Here's a really simple topology: network drops > patch panel > patch cables > switch ports > single patch cable, not connected to the patch panel. For example, desk locations on an office floor can be cabled back to a wiring closet patch panel which is labeled with the locations.
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