What is a Patch Panel? Patch panels are the ultimate tool for network organization. It acts as a central point for neatly labeling and laying out all network cables, preventing tangled knots of CAT5 cables in a Local Area Network. A patch panel, including fiber patch panels and Ethernet patch panels, is a passive network device that centralizes, terminates, and organizes multiple copper or fiber cables. They come in a range of sizes, and are typically mountable, whether that's on a wall, or on a rack to make for easier. A patch panel is a centralized hardware component used to manage network cables in data centers, enterprise server rooms, and smart buildings. Explore course There are three types of Patch Panels 1. In practice, it is the component that.