Do I terminate to a patch panel or use keystone jacks

[Alan Carter]

Is there a functional difference or is it just a matter of aesthetics?

 

[mat200]

Is there a functional difference or is it just a matter of aesthetics?

Hi Alan,

There is a functional difference - but not in terms of bandwidth, more in terms of setup ( which you may think of as more aesthetic ).
Functionally I find punching down many ports on a patch panel easier and faster.
Also, works very nicely when you have the patch panel right next to your switch / poe nvr.

There also are panels which accept keystone jacks. ( which I do not like as much as a normal patch panel )

If you're only doing a few lines, the keystones will be cheaper.

I prefer to put all the ethernet ports into a 24 port patch panel at home - punch everything down and then connect them to a switch as needed.