Fiber distribution frame types and advantages

A patch panel is essentially a group of ports on a panel. Each port is connected to another port elsewhere in the building with a patch cord.

The reason host network connections are not directly connected to switches is usually related to ease of management. For example, a desk location on an office floor can be run with cables back to a patch panel marked for that location.

In the data center, similar arguments apply. Having an intermediate patch panel is useful if the server needs to be moved to a different subnet that is not on the same physical switch as the one the server is connected to. For example, many server rooms have a main patch panel. All servers and all switch ports connect to labeled power strips on this rack.

What is a fiber distribution frame?

Fiber Distribution Frames They easily terminate fiber optic cables and provide channels for cross-connecting individual fibers. The basic fiber optic faceplate is usually a metal enclosure that surrounds the adapter faceplate and fiber optic splice tray. The splice tray splices the fiber to the fiber pigtail, which is then inserted into a fixed internal port on the adapter faceplate.

The internal port of the panel is usually fixed, which means that the fiber optic cable cannot be disconnected at any time. The external ports of the panel are dedicated to fiber optic patch cords, which can be plugged in and out frequently as needed to arrange connections between devices. The fiber distribution frame has two compartments. One contains bulkhead jacks or adapters and the other is for splice trays and excess fiber storage.

The benefits of using fiber distribution frames

All changes are made in one place. Patch panels make it easier to connect different devices in different sequences because all changes can be made at the patch panel.

1. No need to look for the input port anymore

The power strip consolidates all input jacks/ports into one location. This means rack-mount equipment can be connected without having to lug around behind racks or instruments with a flashlight with the appropriate ports.

2. Save the loss of expensive network equipment

The use of fiber distribution frames can also reduce the loss of input ports of expensive network equipment such as servers and switches, because all connections are made through the distribution frame.