4 ms·

No, traditionally a patch cable is a cable that you would use in a networking rack to connect (to "patch") from say a network switch to the desk outlets or to a

by steve1977 26d ago

No, traditionally a patch cable is a cable that you would use in a networking rack to connect (to "patch") from say a network switch to the desk outlets or to another switch. A patch cable would explicitly be NOT a crossover. The main difference between patch and "normal" is that the former is using stranded conductors and the latter solid conductors. That makes the patch cable more flexible (physically)

justsomehnguy 26d ago
I have a feeling this is some re-invention of the definitions happening. It's just a holdover from the telephone networks, where you used a short cable to actually phsyically connect - patch[0] - two lines. Therefore - patch-panel and patch-cord or patch-cable. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patch https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patch
ButlerianJihad 26d ago
I am not sure that I know of any Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) standard cabling which uses solid-core wires rather than twisted-pair stranded wires. I can understand and see that many people consider "structured cabling" to consist of the former, but this article does not seem to mandate that construction, and indeed includes many types of twisted-pair and "patch" cables in the list of acceptable "structured cabling solutions." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structured_cabling https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structured_cabling So I believe that, in the realm of Ethernet in particular, "patch" vs. "structured" is not a useful distinction.
- globular-toast 26d ago
  Yeah, it's not patch vs structured. Patch cables are part of structured cabling. But you won't generally find solid core wires outside of structured cabling, because they are inflexible, unwieldly and in many cases can't even be terminated with RJ45 plugs anyway (they are often too thick). To regular people it's probably enough just to say Ethernet cable. Outside of structured cabling you don't really need to care and probably don't have a choice anyway. If someone says patch cable they probably know a bit about structured cabling and couldn't help themselves. Within structured cabling the rabbit hole is quite deep. Even within a single standard like Cat6 there are many possible cable constructions with different types of shielding and wire gauge etc. It becomes important when you need the network to certify as Cat6 and support PoE in a high noise industrial environment, for example. And, of course, Ethernet can run over other cable types anyway, like fibre.
facepalmz 26d ago
yes, they're typically very short cables connecting things like routers and switches, it does not imply any sort of type of cable or wire.
globular-toast 26d ago
Actually, switch to switch would be a crossover cable (pre auto MDI-X, of course). The rule was a crossover would connect devices of the same type, e.g. computer to computer, hub to hub, switch to switch; and patch for devices of different type, like switch to computer. So if you wanted to just plug a hub into the wall you would use a crossover cable, for example.
- justsomehnguy 26d ago
  Or a straight cable to the "Uplink" port. And some had a switch to select the mode of the uplink port.
Melatonic 26d ago
Wouldn't most patch cables also be double male ends ? Also probably a more flexible jacket and thinner. Vs fire resistant / plénum cables for fixed / in wall stuff.
- steve1977 26d ago
  Ethernet cables are usually always male-male
  - kube-system 26d ago
    Patch cables are differentiated from bulk/structured cabling which is installed into a building unterminated, and is most commonly terminated after installation into patch panels or keystone jacks.
Hikikomori 26d ago
A patch cable is just a terminated cable with multi strand leads (as opposed to solid leads in installation cable), it could be straight patch or crossover.
Ekaros 26d ago
Is the cable connected from say desktop computer to wall socket a patch cable? Or does that only apply to those used in server rooms or switch cabinets?
- dboreham 26d ago
  They're the same thing.

justsomehnguy 26d ago

I have a feeling this is some re-invention of the definitions happening. It's just a holdover from the telephone networks, where you used a short cable to actually phsyically connect - patch[0] - two lines. Therefore - patch-panel and patch-cord or patch-cable. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patch https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patch

ButlerianJihad 26d ago

I am not sure that I know of any Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) standard cabling which uses solid-core wires rather than twisted-pair stranded wires. I can understand and see that many people consider "structured cabling" to consist of the former, but this article does not seem to mandate that construction, and indeed includes many types of twisted-pair and "patch" cables in the list of acceptable "structured cabling solutions." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structured_cabling https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structured_cabling So I believe that, in the realm of Ethernet in particular, "patch" vs. "structured" is not a useful distinction.

globular-toast 26d ago
Yeah, it's not patch vs structured. Patch cables are part of structured cabling. But you won't generally find solid core wires outside of structured cabling, because they are inflexible, unwieldly and in many cases can't even be terminated with RJ45 plugs anyway (they are often too thick). To regular people it's probably enough just to say Ethernet cable. Outside of structured cabling you don't really need to care and probably don't have a choice anyway. If someone says patch cable they probably know a bit about structured cabling and couldn't help themselves. Within structured cabling the rabbit hole is quite deep. Even within a single standard like Cat6 there are many possible cable constructions with different types of shielding and wire gauge etc. It becomes important when you need the network to certify as Cat6 and support PoE in a high noise industrial environment, for example. And, of course, Ethernet can run over other cable types anyway, like fibre.

facepalmz 26d ago

yes, they're typically very short cables connecting things like routers and switches, it does not imply any sort of type of cable or wire.

globular-toast 26d ago

Actually, switch to switch would be a crossover cable (pre auto MDI-X, of course). The rule was a crossover would connect devices of the same type, e.g. computer to computer, hub to hub, switch to switch; and patch for devices of different type, like switch to computer. So if you wanted to just plug a hub into the wall you would use a crossover cable, for example.

justsomehnguy 26d ago
Or a straight cable to the "Uplink" port. And some had a switch to select the mode of the uplink port.

Melatonic 26d ago

Wouldn't most patch cables also be double male ends ? Also probably a more flexible jacket and thinner. Vs fire resistant / plénum cables for fixed / in wall stuff.

steve1977 26d ago
Ethernet cables are usually always male-male
- kube-system 26d ago
  Patch cables are differentiated from bulk/structured cabling which is installed into a building unterminated, and is most commonly terminated after installation into patch panels or keystone jacks.

Hikikomori 26d ago

A patch cable is just a terminated cable with multi strand leads (as opposed to solid leads in installation cable), it could be straight patch or crossover.

Ekaros 26d ago

Is the cable connected from say desktop computer to wall socket a patch cable? Or does that only apply to those used in server rooms or switch cabinets?

dboreham 26d ago
They're the same thing.