Data center teams often find themselves tracing cables within their data center due to outdated, inaccurate patch panel records (usually Excel or Visio files). Worse yet, some data centers lack any tools for managing the ever expanding, ever changing sea of patch panel connections.

Fortunately, data center cable management doesn’t have to be daunting, time consuming, and error prone.

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Patch panels can be added as “assets” from Device Assets Assets Adding a patch panel The system defined type “Patch Panel” for asset gives you the option to assign a patch panel model. There are RESTful APIs and spreadsheet imports available to do this more easily and there is a bulk operations option to provision back.

With Device42 software, keeping track of your patch panel cable connections is fast, easy, and accurate. Device42 removes cable management complexity and increases the visibility, control, and efficiency of data center cable management.

TERA-MAX Patch Panel - 24 port Labeling template for use with 24-port TERA-MAX Patch Panels To be printed on standard paper Z-MAX Patch Panel - 24/48 port Labeling template for use with Z-MAX Patch Panels ( For use with Siemon p/n (s) Z-PNL-PL24 ( for 24-port patch panels) and Z-PNL-PL48 ( for 48-port patch panels). The templates use Microsoft Word, and are in a table design. After you have downloaded the template, be sure to save it to your computer for future use. If you need any additional assistance please contact our Technical Support Group @ 866-871-4571 or via email at techsupport@panduit.com.

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Making the switch is easy with migration utilities and imports.

Template Based Patch Panels

Device42’s template-based, data center patch panel diagrams allow IT staff to quickly create custom patch panel diagrams that provide instant clarity to cable connections. When creating new patch panel records, IT staff can chose an existing patch panel template or create an entirely new patch panel model “on the fly”. Patch panel templates make building patch panel documentation easy, and fast:

Flexible port types – singular (all ports the same), or modular (mixed port types)
User-defined port types provide complete flexibility
User-defined port types allow you to create the port type to suit your needs

Powerful Patch Panel Visualization

Device42’s template-based data center patch panel diagrams make patch panel record keeping easy and fast. Patch panel diagrams clearly display connections and instantly convey connection details needed for effective patch panel management.

Visual patch panel layouts are easy to use
Users can quickly access detailed port information
Color coded icons clearly show connection status
Mouse-over cables to view local or remote – ports and devices
View physical connections to local devices

Drag and Drop Port Connections

In addition to providing clear patch panel visualizations, Device42 enables easy management of routine port connection changes using familiar drag and drop functionality:

Drag and drop to create connections from patch panel ports to devices
Connect patch panel with switch ports, and switch ports with devices
Confirmation checks eliminate accidental connection overwrites

Detailed Patch Panel Port Information

With Device42 software, data center managers can confidently access patch panel port information making service and support operations fast, easy, and accurate. Device42 provides important details with simply a click:

Add/change port information
Supported content types: device, patch panel port, switch port, TAP ports
MAC address look up for associated devices
Mouse-over to view full connection path
User-defined port types

Make Patch Panel to Patch Panel Connectivity Easier

Device42’s bulk connectivity feature makes it easy to perform back connections (e.g. patch panel to patch panel). For data center managers that means patch panel management just got better.

Device42 is taking us from anarchy to the organization.

– Matt Iles

Network Systems Manager
International School of Beijing

Article Content

Patchbays can be intimidating. It almost feels like you’re Jack Bauer disarming a bomb. There are dozens of different cables. Everything is color coded in some cryptic language. And one wrong move can bring things to a screeching halt. It’s a lot of pressure.

Patchbays are actually pretty simple. They’re used to connect one piece of equipment to another. As long as you understand how they work, there’s nothing to panic about.

Most commercial studios use a patchbay — especially those with a console. It’s the central nervous system of the studio. Everything is connected to the patchbay. It allows you to quickly connect different pieces of gear together without having to crawl behind them and physically run cables from one unit to the other. But the more gear you have, the bigger your patch bay needs to be.

You know those old movies where people would make phone calls and speak to an operator? There were usually a bunch of women sitting in front of a wall of cables, smoking cigarettes and patching calls to Albuquerque. It’s kind of like that sometimes, but instead of routing phone calls to New Mexico, you’re routing a kick drum to a compressor.

Even hybrid studios with only a few pieces of outboard gear can benefit from a patchbay. It’s all about reducing the amount of time you spend setting up, and increasing the amount of time you spend making music. If you have a studio with analog equipment, you’ll benefit from a using a patchbay. Just be prepared to spend 10-20% of your gear investment for all the cabling you’ll need.

Patchbay Design

Typically, patchbays have 24 channels per unit. They handle both input and output for each channel, which makes 48 “points” or connections.

Most modern patchbays use tiny telephone (TT), or bantam connectors on the front. Although, some patchbays use 1/4” TRS or even XLR connectors. The rear typically uses DB-25 connectors to save space, but some units use 1/4” TRS or XLR.

DB-25 (or D-sub) cables are multi-pin connectors that can carry 8 analog audio signals simultaneously. One end of the D-sub cable has a single DB-25 connector. The other has an 8-channel “whip” of XLR or 1/4” TRS connectors.

Patch Panel Spreadsheet Template Word

This is a huge space-saver. For instance, console channel outputs 1-8 connect to the patch bay using a single cable, instead of 8 separate TRS cables.

Patchbay Layout

Patchbays are organized based on the needs of the studio, so none of them are laid out the same way. The whole point is to speed up your workflow by allowing you to make common connections quickly. If your studio is set up for recording, you might set up patches for cue (headphone) sends or synthesizers. If you’re set up for mixing, you’ll probably use inserts and outboard compressors.

Generally, patchbays are organized in order of signal flow. Outputs are almost always on the top row, with inputs on the bottom row. This makes it easy to patch one piece of gear into another.

Some studios color-code their patchbays to help separate the different sections. For instance, you use different colors for preamps, EQs, compressors, and effects units. Or, you could use one color for console connections, and another for outboard gear. Even using different colors for inputs and outputs can help speed things up.

Signal Flow

Most manufacturers provide patchbay templates to help you line up the text to the connection point. Here’s how the signal flow typically breaks down on a patchbay:

Studio Mic Lines: Output from the mics in the live room