RJ45 pass-thru patch panels

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SumnerBoy

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#289145 16-Aug-2021 11:06

Hi,

I am planning the server rack for my new build and will be needing 4-5 24 port patch panels. I have been doing a bit of research and have decided the best approach will be to terminate each cable with an RJ45 plug and use pass-thru patch panels. A bit of work terminating the cables but that is something a low-skilled cable guy like me can chip away at, and it provides easy testing and moving of cables if needed.

Anyway, I am having real trouble sourcing the actual patch panels - does anyone know of a local supplier that stocks them?

Cheers,

Ben

PS - I would also be interested in getting a good quality RJ45 crimping tool and a supply of good quality RJ45 plugs...

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#2760500 16-Aug-2021 11:14

I find patching in to a panel easier than RJ45 crimping, simply strip the outer cover and feed in tothe correct coloured slot and use a punch down tool to keep it in place... no more than a minute or so per cable if you've got enough slack and space to work. Have you tried using a standard punch down patch panel?

RS has them: 24 Ports Cat6 Feed-Through Patch Panel, Unshielded, 1U Rack Mount - FS

SumnerBoy

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#2760556 16-Aug-2021 11:21

Yep I have, my current house (built 10yrs ago) used these. I just find they are a little inflexible, e.g. if I want to move a port (not very often TBF), also tend to be more susceptible to wires being pulled out when getting in behind the rack to check wiring or add/remove something.

I like the idea of terminating each end of each cable run and being able to test and verify everything is ok - before even mounting into a panel.

Thanks for the link but it doesn't seem to work and I can't find anything on nz.rs-online.com that is suitable.

Dynamic

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#2760558 16-Aug-2021 11:22

Something like this https://dynamix.co.nz/DINC6AS and https://dynamix.co.nz/PP-UK-24 ?

These links are from the distributor's web site, but you should be able to search for the part numbers to find local resellers.

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SumnerBoy

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#2760560 16-Aug-2021 11:25

Thanks Dynamic - I was hoping for a pre-assembled panel, mainly in the hope that would be more cost effective. Searching overseas I can find these for around GBP50 or AUD100.

The unloaded panel you linked to costs around NZD25, but each jack is $20 so it very quickly adds up!

Spyware

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#2760573 16-Aug-2021 11:28

Link above was fs.com, https://www.fs.com/products/69180.html

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

SumnerBoy

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#2760574 16-Aug-2021 11:30

Weird - that link failed a few times but finally loaded - thanks - will have a look.

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sbiddle

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#2760587 16-Aug-2021 11:39

It's not an approach I'd personally take - keystone jacks are far simpler and quicker to terminate and more reliable (not to mention cheaper) than having a RJ45 crimp connector then a joiner.

If you do want to take that approach I'm pretty sure from memory that the standard Cat6 joiners sold by Dynamix fit their unloaded patch panel that is already listed above.

https://www.dynamix.co.nz/A-RJ45-C6N

Yoban

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#2760588 16-Aug-2021 11:41

did a similar exercise myself a year or so ago and took the same route for the same reasons....put in one of these https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32950686037.html and have not had any issues at all.

Will replace my current "punch down" with another pass through over time.

SumnerBoy

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#2760591 16-Aug-2021 11:45

Hmm - those jacks are much more cost effective - thanks @sbiddle - $5.29ea.

I was under the impression keystone was more expensive, or are you talking about the labour cost of having to crimp each cable as well?

SumnerBoy

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#2760593 16-Aug-2021 11:46

Yoban:

did a similar exercise myself a year or so ago and took the same route for the same reasons....put in one of these https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32950686037.html and have not had any issues at all.

Will replace my current "punch down" with another pass through over time.

I did come across that on AliExpress - was concerned about quality tho - but sounds like you are happy with it.

jonathan18

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#2760596 16-Aug-2021 11:47

sbiddle:
It's not an approach I'd personally take - keystone jacks are far simpler and quicker to terminate and more reliable (not to mention cheaper) than having a RJ45 crimp connector then a joiner.

If you do want to take that approach I'm pretty sure from memory that the standard Cat6 joiners sold by Dynamix fit their unloaded patch panel that is already listed above.

https://www.dynamix.co.nz/A-RJ45-C6N

This is what I’ve just done on a tiny scale using those Dynalink joiners, and can imagine the cost will mount up with that many patch panels: $89 just for joiners plus another $27 for the blank panel, and that’s just for 12 ports! Made sense for me, as most of the cables were already terminated with RJ45s.

Speaking of which - given the topic, can any of you networking experts help me with my kinda related networking problem?

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=66&topicid=288901&page_no=1#2760572

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sbiddle

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#2760612 16-Aug-2021 12:09

SumnerBoy:

Hmm - those jacks are much more cost effective - thanks @sbiddle - $5.29ea.

I was under the impression keystone was more expensive, or are you talking about the labour cost of having to crimp each cable as well?

Pricing obviously depends where you source things from but joiners can be acquired for a lot less if you buy from somewhere like Aliexpress or Amazon.

I only pay about $5ish as well for the brand of keystone jacks, so comparing Dynamix pricing for one of those joiners + a cat6 RJ45 crimp at 80c each or whatever they are means using a keystone is cheaper. Obviously differs depending on how many you do, but time taken is about the same for both solutions.

I've used those joiners before on a Dynamix frame where somebody had run a whole lot of stranded patch leads to a rack and I wanted to tidy things up.

SumnerBoy

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#2760625 16-Aug-2021 12:16

Ok - so what do you see as the main benefit in using Keystone? I am no expert but just trying to get my head around the different options.

I can source a 24 port pass-thru panel (thanks to @Benoire and @Spyware) for $66, which I am never going to match with keystone AFAIK.

EDIT: sorry, just re-read your initial post - easy to terminate and more reliable...

Jase2985

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#2760714 16-Aug-2021 13:59

ive used keystones on mine and its pretty simple to remove the to move them to another slot.

Here is a picture of it:

SumnerBoy

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#2760718 16-Aug-2021 14:02

Jase2985:

ive used keystones on mine and its pretty simple to remove the to move them to another slot.

That looks very neat and tidy. Did you use Dynamix gear?

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