Network switch and patch panel setup at home
Network switch and patch panel setup at home
A teammate recently relocated into a home that seems to have been set up by someone passionate about technology. We're trying to understand how the internet is configured but are still unclear. From what we observe, the outside internet link enters the house and connects directly to a patch panel—we don’t know which of the 24 ports it uses. Then it goes to a 24-port Cisco SR224 switch, which returns to the patch panel before connecting to the modem in the home office (we’ve confirmed that port 8 on the patch panel links to the modem). The problem is we can’t identify which port corresponds to the internet connection, and even with all devices connected to the switch, the modem isn’t establishing a link. Any suggestions or solutions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks ahead.
I believe you're viewing it from the wrong angle. The modem/router needs to be positioned between the ISP and the LAN. Keep in mind, a patch panel consists of cables neatly arranged in rows. Look at the ends of those runs for cable or plate identifiers. If they’re missing, use a tool such as a "fox and hound" cable tracer to locate them. (Disconnect all network cables, then connect the transmitter to one of the room ends. Use the wand to determine which port on the patch panel it connects to.) Eew, discard that outdated 10/100 tech in e-waste.
The setup process seems correct, but moving the patch cables could disrupt the connection. There might be scenarios where the ISP connects directly to a patch panel and switch before the modem or router.
You likely have a fiber connection with an ONT providing Ethernet that links to your ISP router. For DSL, they might have used patch panels to route the POTS line to the modem. A DOCSIS cable modem is definitely not the case here.
I considered it more deeply last night. Could an ISP connection work like this: connect to a patch panel (like port 15), run a cable to another patch port (8), then link to the modem/router in the home office, which routes through another patch port (13) to the switch, allowing other house ports to reach the internet?
In short, the configuration was established. The ISP connection used port 24 on the patch panel cable, connecting from port 24 to port 8 on the patch panel, which then linked to the home office. The modem or router accessed the internet via this port.