The patch box would be hilarious, if you could plug 48 cables in the back of it and then have extendable patches on the front to pull out for e.g. 1m. Basically not to use it as very overpriced patch cables, but instead as an actual 48 port patch panel with pre-installed, length adjustable patch cables. As it is now, it just seems to be a waste of rack space.
It's for same kind of people that would call themselves DJs because they have software on their laptop that can mix the music for them and they can't be bothered to actually do real work but somehow they think it makes them look 'kool'. ffs Even worse is what do you do with all your drops? Do you terminate them on another 'normal' patch panel and then jump them like a poseur?
I would actually like to have it as a 24 port unit, as an extendable patch panel, so that a drop would terminate at the back of each cassette, and instead of the two very flimsy cables I would have one thicker gauge cable coming out of it to support POE. Would be very handy for locations where you would have to patch differently often, or where you simply want all the cables on standby for whenever they are needed. Price needs to drop a bit tho, a 24port keystone patch panel with patch cables would go for what, around $160, maybe $200 max, maybe add another $100 for ingenuity and clean looks, that'd put it at around $300 per 24 ports, which I could consider, but as it stands now I totally agree that it's a waste of rack space and definitely a waste of money...
I tend to agree, nice toy but I rarely patch anything these days. During transition period which essentially start/end of year I might need to change a few things, but apart from that its just if new equipment comes in, old removed etc so very few (although we are moving to a new building at the end of this year which is going to be a mass of work but thats a once in a couple of decade thing) at which point why do I need to do this, I can manage this quite adequately with management trays. admittedly these would take the place of the trays but they are still too much money. The companies /dev/mount device is also nice but I have rack studs and have used them for years with no issue, the only thing these have is being metal I could use them on shielded patch panels where I cannot for rack studs without earthing the panel which is just a PITA. The setup.exe, well for me thats a case of shut up and take my money
In most colo (Datacenter) deployments we put the patch panel in the top of the rack or in the middle. Cool product and can be useful in some cases like engineers or network guys who don't do cabling for a living it will help keep the rack cleaner looking. You would be surprised how messy some cab deployment can be. 10' cables connecting equipment only 4u apart hanging all the way to the floor looping back up restricting the airflow from the servers causing them to run hot. This product would be good for them. Love your videos
Network admins: I wish my cabling was more expensive, more complex, harder to troubleshoot, and took up more space in the rack. Patchbox: hold my beer.
I need this in my life. Home network but thanks to your videos I have POE running various Unifi products and as well as other bits and bobs. I'm in the UK which could scupper my Patch Box plans. My wife thinks every unifi product I've purchased is "only £20" 😬 Now I need to upsell Patch Box products as also "only £20" Thanks again, awesome content as always. 👍
I don't even know the price yet but I'd bet a cost\benefit analysis of deploying these (at scale) compared to typical patching will make this a 'No' from the friendly folks in finance..
It depends. If setting up new equipment often I actually think this is great. I wouldn't put it in a production rack but would be amazing in my development rack.
As a Data Center Admin....the dev/mount kit is 100% worth it for equipment that still relies on using the ears. I HATE RACK NUTS!!! I am moving to using only the dev/mount exclusively
Could not help but laugh when the sound of them boxes colliding with the floor and the clicking of those modules into the rack unit aligned so well with the beat of the music. That is some fine video editing there, oh - with a good sense of humor.
Seems a bit redundant to me. Sure it may save a little time but not much. Now, if each cassette had a keystone jack in the back where you could plug in individual drops then, yeah having retractable patch cables makes for a cleaner, more efficient setup.
LMAO!!! Nice! 5:04 to 5:26 - An editors nightmare. It's the 22 seconds of video that took 3-5 hours of work to put together. Nice work on the Audio Sync too. That was truly a work of art.
Useful for a rack that is used for equipment setup and configuration. This would normally be a messy setup like placing a switch or other device on top of a rack and then doing the setup while keeping the device from sliding around or falling. It would be handy if patchbox had a cassette to provide AC power as well...at least an outlet on the front.
I keep seeing these advertised on my Instagram and have wanted to look into it more but keep forgetting. This would be amazing in my work server room, which needs better cable management. Thank you for this video.
I see all the comments on cost and that cable management box and patch cables will fix the problem I agree and i think that most people who are saying this are installers, cabling profis etc. On an initial install being done by a profi that has time, Yes. But I have had my work just less then a year look like the cable monster threw up on the rack and it took administrators hours to do MAC's. I think the benefits can out way the cost as stated in admin time, frustration and troubleshooting. Just my opinion, I think I would recommend on certain jobs. Thanks for the Info.
Nice video Chris, I saw Patchbox at a trade show in 2019 and was very impressed with the build quality and how tidy it makes your rack look, and hopefully stay. As much as I would love my clients to buy these are they are a bit price prohibitive when compared to standard patch cables and cable management bars.
I can see this being more useful if it would be back in - front out. So, it becomes your patch panel and patch cables. I just can’t justify the ridiculous cost. Not only that but replacing a patch cable that goes bad will cost less than $5 as opposed to replacing one of these cartridges. It just seems like it’s unnecessary spending.
I wish they had a 'front in-back out' variant. I have several situations where some devices have their ports on the front and servers have them in the back.
Rack U Space is also a consideration in many DCs and Network TRs. This doesn't really save you any valuable U space but does seem great for cable management. Nifty gadget CrossTalk, but you know space is important in Networks.
For years I've felt this was the biggest waste of money and a complete joke. Unfortunately this video has changed nothing. If you plan out your racks correctly your patch cable investment should be a quarter the cost of this joke. Not to mention the uses of flat cables. I can't imagine those cables are going to certify nicely being that they are flat cables coiled up tightly inside those cassettes.
There is probably a use case for this. I have been fine using lacing bars and cable management units. I have been using the really slim cables from monoprice and patch panels that are built up with keystones.
I love every video you produce. I have a unifi server rack setup in my house and I use your content as the review bible for making choices. Great stuff. You haven't failed me yet.
This is def. a use case scenario. For the cost of one of those boxes, I could pay for a company to custom rack 3 avg server racks. Now, in a comms closet, or inter-floor room, this could easily pay for itself (esp. in very tight closets where rack access is limited, or very difficult. This could also be very useful in a colocation company, that has central network racks for customer management. This would allow for fast changes with minimal effort. Having said that, this would be less useful for server racks, since many use more then just RJ45 cables (SFP+/QSFP, for example). Again, use case is very specific. Also, the thing that would need to be added, is a bar just above/below where the cassettes slide in, so that you can velcro them to the bar, instead of having a pulled/pinched cable. Initially that wouldn't cause a problem, but after awile, some of those hard bent cables would fail.
Is it really that cheap to get a good company racking 3 racks? Especially for existing ones that form factor is also quite pretty. Personally I'm not on the boat for them since I don't believe it will change matters with people who just won't do clean work.
They supply a simple cable management system called a Patch Catch that allows you to appropriately organize / run cables from the PatchBox to your patch panel and to your switch. This will prevent any cable pinching and / or straining and actually comes as part kit.
I'm a lead Surveillance Technician with 2000+ cameras. I have 7 different IDF closets filled with racks, switches, fiber optic panels, patch panels and cable management accessories. This is an amazing tool, however would be difficult to get upper management to drop that kind of a price point on a single panel yet alone to replace every panel, in every rack, in every closet. I wished though!!
One of our customers got a set recently, They basically have any unused RJ45 wall jack unplugged; so patch box is easy to connect desks and move things around as the office changes
It’s a bit of an overkill. If I have a 48 port switch with two patch panels and two Patchboxes, I just used 5U for just cable management. Tho, the setup.ese is quite nice.
I looked at these after seeing a few advertisements, and honestly, just can't justify the cost. Now, if they combined this idea and used it as a full on patch-panel where you could terminate in the rear of the case, and patch in at the front with a cassette, then they have something. Otherwise, it's taking 1, or more units of space, for what would have been 0 units before. Rack space can be a precious thing.
This is interesting but pricey. I like the ability to swap out patch types and the right sized cable length. If you're using it for staging, if might work out. I'd keep it if I won it for my homelab but too deep for my pockets
Seems like a solution looking for a problem. Could be useful for a rack with frequent equipment changes, perhaps. Not too keen on “pulling” fiber cable out of a cassette. 😬
As you said. I can definitely see using this in a set up rack to adopt and prep before is talking in a customers location. Still a little pricey for me to sell to small business..
You make a few concessions (it's too deep, it sticks out in front) in favor of what is a very, very expensive and mostly unnecessary ("totally overkill") accessory. The Patchbox cables aren't even as neat as properly sized cables run directly from device to device. The flat cables don't lend themselves to bends and routing. Glad you got the thing for free. Unfortunately, I think it's a solution looking or a problem.
I've already had the idea of buying one of those patchbox, although in my case it's also for home user, but I'm using a 24-port patch panel (20 ports used or so) with a 24-port Ubiquiti switch - it would certainly be tidier with a patch box than with many individual patch cables at the moment which I have also placed nicely with some cable management. Nevertheless, I have noticed that if I have to replug something or attach a new device directly to the switch, that it is quite tedious to integrate new patch cables into the current setup and to lay them nicely - even with the length it's not that easy. So yes, it is definitely an additional expense, but there is also some flexibility and compliance. :-) So I'd say it's more for larger network but a nice2have thing for home users and it looks sexy. :P Also didn't knew their are from austria.. even though I'm living within austria next to vienna so yeah.. quite funny to acknowledge that over a youtube video.
I just started my smart home and need one desperately trying to use a Linksys as a bridge sucks not enough ports wish I could afford one but I'm still rebuilding from a house fire but I'm alive and feeling lucky!
In the Pro Audio Broadcast industry we use patch panels that incorporate ‘normalisation’ and ‘ half-normalisation’ which means for most cases you don’t need ANY patch cables - only when you need to change something on the fly. Given most racked equipment is permanently patched/connected, why use ANY patch cables other than for temporary connections? Nice looking idea but really an aspirin looking for a headache in my opinion.
I'm in broadcast as well, and understand what you are saying, but you aren't comparing like with like - the back of a jack field of the sort you are talking about has already been laboriously hard-wired or plugged through to all the individual items concerned at the back of the panel, and there will likely be a right mess of cabling there out of sight. In any event that is very much the old mechanical way of doing things - most new facilities are ip based where there is just one ethernet cable from the mixing desk and each group of sources and destinations, and guess what, they all come up on an RJ45 in a rack for patching through switches and other rack devices just like any other network 😀 system.
It’s to expensive for the quality you get, it seems to be a nice solution. I’ve tried this product once but after a few times used the cable is not rolling smoothly.
Yes on the 3d printed cable management parts. I have had to both use thingiverse models as well as my own custom bracket models for oddball or very specific use case cabling needs both at home and at work.
maybe i lack the experince, i see how this can be useful but i can also do a neat cabinet/rack just by having cable managements skills but more so having the correct lengths of cables or cutting and re terming. HOWEVER breakfix real life can be way too fast paced for that but for really small bussiness and home the correct length of cable is the key
The version you show seems to make the most sense for bigger data center setups, where you might have racks of entirely aggregation/distribution. If they had a front-to-back version that worked in lieu of a patch panel, that'd be great for connecting servers to a Top Of Rack switch. For those of us with limited ability/time/space to cable manage, anything helps, but for my rack, this device just doesn't make sense.
Personally. I think it suits a smallish business setup. One where the person setting it up doesn't want to make custom cables. Quick, fast and tidy install.
Good video and not for me or the place I work at. I haven't looked at their website, but a cartridge that has one connector at the front and another at the back would open up a lot of possibilities.
The three most important things are 'heat management' 'access management' and, maybe, 'cable management', though even then I might put dust and dirt management and security Iin there.
This is a solution looking for a problem. Just rack your patch panel correctly from the beginning, 24 patch panel above and below a switch, 6 inch patch cables. This doesn't make it look any better. Also, the only cables I have ever seen 'fail' were the flat styles. I'll never use flat Ethernet cables ever again.
Good video but I feel like your use cases do not really show the product in the best of light. Might be worth jazzing up a model rack with a patch panel or two with some switches and cables. Do a before and after with the PatchBox
I have a test network setup that could use this product. Cisco Meraki, Mikrotik (Three Routers) along with Ubiquiti and assorted other equipment. My Mikrotik is by far the bulk of my network. I can see where this would make my lab so much more usable than it is now.
This is a great product. I’d love to have this product for my set up it would cut down on all the patch cables that I have. I’d have the exact size I need vs what I have now. I’m going to be setting everything up soon.
Hi there, I saw you fighting with the frame during installation of the cassettes. Just use the inlay from the front of the patchbox carton packing as support, in the carton or an the table, while installing the cassettes. you will have space enough under the cassettes to easily put them into the frame. I know the problem with the outstanding cablemanagement-pieces in small/narrow racks, this might be quickly solved by cutting the outward bound parts. for small setups the rest of the "patchcatch" management should do: it keeps the cables at the side of rack. nice equipment, isn't it?
To me it’s such a no-brainer - why don’t they build one with a punch down block on the back end to you can terminate your network wires right to it and then label and path on the front? It would make it so much better in my opinion. I’m sure with all that depth they could engineer a slender style punch down where the pins/notches ran the length of each cassette.
I think it's a waste of valuable 1U space. If they could have the patch panel integrated on the other end instead of the cable then it might be of value. It also looked like the cable orientation was backwards. I put switches next to patch panels and need the cable to make a short arc
I don't think patchbox warrants the price. the best setups for large number of cables is using patchsee cabling and a lightbox. Its using normal cables but having the ability to find the end cable in a large bundle much easier and at a cheaper price. Tugging on a single cable bundled with 200+ cables don't help when tracing patchbox doesn't save time on this, patchsee does as the lightbox will light up the other end.
Totally a solution looking for a problem, 1u brush box and cables of the approximate length fix 99% of those issues for 10% of the cost
Just use shorties
The patch box would be hilarious, if you could plug 48 cables in the back of it and then have extendable patches on the front to pull out for e.g. 1m. Basically not to use it as very overpriced patch cables, but instead as an actual 48 port patch panel with pre-installed, length adjustable patch cables.
As it is now, it just seems to be a waste of rack space.
It's for same kind of people that would call themselves DJs because they have software on their laptop that can mix the music for them and they can't be bothered to actually do real work but somehow they think it makes them look 'kool'. ffs
Even worse is what do you do with all your drops? Do you terminate them on another 'normal' patch panel and then jump them like a poseur?
I thought its pretty much that. Ugh.
I would actually like to have it as a 24 port unit, as an extendable patch panel, so that a drop would terminate at the back of each cassette, and instead of the two very flimsy cables I would have one thicker gauge cable coming out of it to support POE. Would be very handy for locations where you would have to patch differently often, or where you simply want all the cables on standby for whenever they are needed. Price needs to drop a bit tho, a 24port keystone patch panel with patch cables would go for what, around $160, maybe $200 max, maybe add another $100 for ingenuity and clean looks, that'd put it at around $300 per 24 ports, which I could consider, but as it stands now I totally agree that it's a waste of rack space and definitely a waste of money...
I tend to agree, nice toy but I rarely patch anything these days. During transition period which essentially start/end of year I might need to change a few things, but apart from that its just if new equipment comes in, old removed etc so very few (although we are moving to a new building at the end of this year which is going to be a mass of work but thats a once in a couple of decade thing) at which point why do I need to do this, I can manage this quite adequately with management trays. admittedly these would take the place of the trays but they are still too much money.
The companies /dev/mount device is also nice but I have rack studs and have used them for years with no issue, the only thing these have is being metal I could use them on shielded patch panels where I cannot for rack studs without earthing the panel which is just a PITA.
The setup.exe, well for me thats a case of shut up and take my money
I have to agree I would like it more if I could connect to the back of each cassette and patch it to the device I want
There definitely needs to be a video of Chris just throwing boxes, nothing else, just 5 minutes of box throwing ;-)
I install a single row patch panel above and below the switch me then use 3” ultra thin patch cables.
Very clean and easy.
Flat ones ?
In most colo (Datacenter) deployments we put the patch panel in the top of the rack or in the middle. Cool product and can be useful in some cases like engineers or network guys who don't do cabling for a living it will help keep the rack cleaner looking. You would be surprised how messy some cab deployment can be. 10' cables connecting equipment only 4u apart hanging all the way to the floor looping back up restricting the airflow from the servers causing them to run hot. This product would be good for them. Love your videos
Top for me, and switch(es) in the middle to reduce server cabling mess :D.
.
.
.
And then there's power cables 🤦
Network admins: I wish my cabling was more expensive, more complex, harder to troubleshoot, and took up more space in the rack.
Patchbox: hold my beer.
Ha! Your cardboard and cassette synchronized dance was absolutely stellar! 🤓😂
Cheers - thanks!
Awesome! 😂👏
I need this in my life. Home network but thanks to your videos I have POE running various Unifi products and as well as other bits and bobs. I'm in the UK which could scupper my Patch Box plans. My wife thinks every unifi product I've purchased is "only £20" 😬 Now I need to upsell Patch Box products as also "only £20"
Thanks again, awesome content as always. 👍
I don't even know the price yet but I'd bet a cost\benefit analysis of deploying these (at scale) compared to typical patching will make this a 'No' from the friendly folks in finance..
indeed
Do they account for time of setup?
The patchbox is overkill but their /dev/mount is AMAZING!
It depends. If setting up new equipment often I actually think this is great. I wouldn't put it in a production rack but would be amazing in my development rack.
yeah I love there Dev Mounts
As a Data Center Admin....the dev/mount kit is 100% worth it for equipment that still relies on using the ears. I HATE RACK NUTS!!! I am moving to using only the dev/mount exclusively
The editing of the unboxing, the music, and the box throwing was perfect lol.
I am surprised a comment like yours wasn't the top comment! That cassette install bit was so clean 👏
Could not help but laugh when the sound of them boxes colliding with the floor and the clicking of those modules into the rack unit aligned so well with the beat of the music. That is some fine video editing there, oh - with a good sense of humor.
Seems a bit redundant to me. Sure it may save a little time but not much. Now, if each cassette had a keystone jack in the back where you could plug in individual drops then, yeah having retractable patch cables makes for a cleaner, more efficient setup.
LMAO!!! Nice! 5:04 to 5:26 - An editors nightmare. It's the 22 seconds of video that took 3-5 hours of work to put together. Nice work on the Audio Sync too. That was truly a work of art.
Useful for a rack that is used for equipment setup and configuration. This would normally be a messy setup like placing a switch or other device on top of a rack and then doing the setup while keeping the device from sliding around or falling. It would be handy if patchbox had a cassette to provide AC power as well...at least an outlet on the front.
I keep seeing these advertised on my Instagram and have wanted to look into it more but keep forgetting. This would be amazing in my work server room, which needs better cable management. Thank you for this video.
Patchbox is actually pretty helpful...
I saw this when they first came out with the product and instantly fell in love with the idea. I’ve wanted to get one to help with organizing my rack.
Can organize your rack and make it look better with norml keystone patch and the think patch cables for 1/6th the price
Thank you for another informative video! P.S. I like the editing of the time lapse as it matches the beat of the song.
I see all the comments on cost and that cable management box and patch cables will fix the problem I agree and i think that most people who are saying this are installers, cabling profis etc. On an initial install being done by a profi that has time, Yes. But I have had my work just less then a year look like the cable monster threw up on the rack and it took administrators hours to do MAC's. I think the benefits can out way the cost as stated in admin time, frustration and troubleshooting. Just my opinion, I think I would recommend on certain jobs. Thanks for the Info.
Nice video Chris, I saw Patchbox at a trade show in 2019 and was very impressed with the build quality and how tidy it makes your rack look, and hopefully stay. As much as I would love my clients to buy these are they are a bit price prohibitive when compared to standard patch cables and cable management bars.
I can see this being more useful if it would be back in - front out. So, it becomes your patch panel and patch cables. I just can’t justify the ridiculous cost. Not only that but replacing a patch cable that goes bad will cost less than $5 as opposed to replacing one of these cartridges. It just seems like it’s unnecessary spending.
I wish they had a 'front in-back out' variant. I have several situations where some devices have their ports on the front and servers have them in the back.
Front jn back out would be nice
Rack U Space is also a consideration in many DCs and Network TRs. This doesn't really save you any valuable U space but does seem great for cable management. Nifty gadget CrossTalk, but you know space is important in Networks.
The patchbox is amazing. Can‘t stop using it.
For years I've felt this was the biggest waste of money and a complete joke. Unfortunately this video has changed nothing. If you plan out your racks correctly your patch cable investment should be a quarter the cost of this joke. Not to mention the uses of flat cables. I can't imagine those cables are going to certify nicely being that they are flat cables coiled up tightly inside those cassettes.
same here, the start exe and cage nuts they make are amazing and worth it but this, there main product just feels overpriced and unnessery
Why isn’t the top comment about how good the sound and video editing in the 5 min area of the unboxing? 😂😂
I'd love this for my home rack that I am constantly moving patches around in.
There is probably a use case for this. I have been fine using lacing bars and cable management units. I have been using the really slim cables from monoprice and patch panels that are built up with keystones.
I loved that unboxing synced with the music 😂
I love every video you produce. I have a unifi server rack setup in my house and I use your content as the review bible for making choices. Great stuff. You haven't failed me yet.
This is def. a use case scenario. For the cost of one of those boxes, I could pay for a company to custom rack 3 avg server racks. Now, in a comms closet, or inter-floor room, this could easily pay for itself (esp. in very tight closets where rack access is limited, or very difficult. This could also be very useful in a colocation company, that has central network racks for customer management. This would allow for fast changes with minimal effort. Having said that, this would be less useful for server racks, since many use more then just RJ45 cables (SFP+/QSFP, for example). Again, use case is very specific.
Also, the thing that would need to be added, is a bar just above/below where the cassettes slide in, so that you can velcro them to the bar, instead of having a pulled/pinched cable. Initially that wouldn't cause a problem, but after awile, some of those hard bent cables would fail.
Is it really that cheap to get a good company racking 3 racks?
Especially for existing ones that form factor is also quite pretty. Personally I'm not on the boat for them since I don't believe it will change matters with people who just won't do clean work.
They supply a simple cable management system called a Patch Catch that allows you to appropriately organize / run cables from the PatchBox to your patch panel and to your switch. This will prevent any cable pinching and / or straining and actually comes as part kit.
I'm a lead Surveillance Technician with 2000+ cameras. I have 7 different IDF closets filled with racks, switches, fiber optic panels, patch panels and cable management accessories. This is an amazing tool, however would be difficult to get upper management to drop that kind of a price point on a single panel yet alone to replace every panel, in every rack, in every closet. I wished though!!
That thing is so ingenious!
The Box throwing Music Mix got me 😂😂😂 , funny and amazing 😂😂 . Good one
Looks amazing. Sure would buy it. Love these kind of cool add-on to my network.
That's cool PatchBox never seen one of those.
Hats off to the video editor (if not Chris) syncing the jump cuts to the music beat. 🎶✂
I definitely could use one of those for my network
Nice assembly montage!
One of our customers got a set recently,
They basically have any unused RJ45 wall jack unplugged; so patch box is easy to connect desks and move things around as the office changes
I like the fact I can order it as I need new connections as well once I have cassettes holder. Cuts the price down a fair amount.
Very nice, but expensive.
How about POE, are they ready for that?
It’s a bit of an overkill. If I have a 48 port switch with two patch panels and two Patchboxes, I just used 5U for just cable management. Tho, the setup.ese is quite nice.
I looked at these after seeing a few advertisements, and honestly, just can't justify the cost. Now, if they combined this idea and used it as a full on patch-panel where you could terminate in the rear of the case, and patch in at the front with a cassette, then they have something. Otherwise, it's taking 1, or more units of space, for what would have been 0 units before. Rack space can be a precious thing.
Thank you, you talked me out of wasting my money on one.
WOW! What a great product.
Definitely triggers my organization gene!
This is interesting but pricey. I like the ability to swap out patch types and the right sized cable length. If you're using it for staging, if might work out. I'd keep it if I won it for my homelab but too deep for my pockets
I would love this in my development / setup rack. Would be so much quicker than always trying to find patch cables while building the temporary rack
Seems like a solution looking for a problem. Could be useful for a rack with frequent equipment changes, perhaps.
Not too keen on “pulling” fiber cable out of a cassette. 😬
Nice, could have used these in some major Datacenter I have built out in the past. Great for keeping things tidy and intuitive to locate.
As you said. I can definitely see using this in a set up rack to adopt and prep before is talking in a customers location. Still a little pricey for me to sell to small business..
The patch box is awesome, more interested in the soundproofing and led strips in the server rack. Can you do a video on those?
Very cool! I WANT ONE!
You make a few concessions (it's too deep, it sticks out in front) in favor of what is a very, very expensive and mostly unnecessary ("totally overkill") accessory. The Patchbox cables aren't even as neat as properly sized cables run directly from device to device. The flat cables don't lend themselves to bends and routing. Glad you got the thing for free. Unfortunately, I think it's a solution looking or a problem.
I've already had the idea of buying one of those patchbox, although in my case it's also for home user, but I'm using a 24-port patch panel (20 ports used or so) with a 24-port Ubiquiti switch - it would certainly be tidier with a patch box than with many individual patch cables at the moment which I have also placed nicely with some cable management.
Nevertheless, I have noticed that if I have to replug something or attach a new device directly to the switch, that it is quite tedious to integrate new patch cables into the current setup and to lay them nicely - even with the length it's not that easy. So yes, it is definitely an additional expense, but there is also some flexibility and compliance. :-) So I'd say it's more for larger network but a nice2have thing for home users and it looks sexy. :P
Also didn't knew their are from austria.. even though I'm living within austria next to vienna so yeah.. quite funny to acknowledge that over a youtube video.
Nice design and I would love to use one, but the price is unfortunately too much expensive.
I just started my smart home and need one desperately trying to use a Linksys as a bridge sucks not enough ports wish I could afford one but I'm still rebuilding from a house fire but I'm alive and feeling lucky!
Both are cost prohibitive. Also made my own mounting blocks years ago.
In the Pro Audio Broadcast industry we use patch panels that incorporate ‘normalisation’ and ‘ half-normalisation’ which means for most cases you don’t need ANY patch cables - only when you need to change something on the fly. Given most racked equipment is permanently patched/connected, why use ANY patch cables other than for temporary connections? Nice looking idea but really an aspirin looking for a headache in my opinion.
I'm in broadcast as well, and understand what you are saying, but you aren't comparing like with like - the back of a jack field of the sort you are talking about has already been laboriously hard-wired or plugged through to all the individual items concerned at the back of the panel, and there will likely be a right mess of cabling there out of sight.
In any event that is very much the old mechanical way of doing things - most new facilities are ip based where there is just one ethernet cable from the mixing desk and each group of sources and destinations, and guess what, they all come up on an RJ45 in a rack for patching through switches and other rack devices just like any other network 😀 system.
Awesome 😱😱😱😱😱
It’s to expensive for the quality you get, it seems to be a nice solution. I’ve tried this product once but after a few times used the cable is not rolling smoothly.
Yes on the 3d printed cable management parts. I have had to both use thingiverse models as well as my own custom bracket models for oddball or very specific use case cabling needs both at home and at work.
maybe i lack the experince, i see how this can be useful but i can also do a neat cabinet/rack just by having cable managements skills but more so having the correct lengths of cables or cutting and re terming. HOWEVER breakfix real life can be way too fast paced for that but for really small bussiness and home the correct length of cable is the key
The version you show seems to make the most sense for bigger data center setups, where you might have racks of entirely aggregation/distribution. If they had a front-to-back version that worked in lieu of a patch panel, that'd be great for connecting servers to a Top Of Rack switch. For those of us with limited ability/time/space to cable manage, anything helps, but for my rack, this device just doesn't make sense.
Personally. I think it suits a smallish business setup. One where the person setting it up doesn't want to make custom cables. Quick, fast and tidy install.
sick unboxing, music match up
Can you run POE through every patch safely? Nothing to be concerned about? Those tightly coiled cables trouble me a little ...
Way too expensive for what it is... the Patchbox cat 6a is more than $500!
I know, I'd rather use a Neat Patch
The PatchBox - the product for ppl who have more money than sense. Ppl who have sense - proper cable management + low cost.
budget version:
* patch pannel
* extendable keychain mounted on the back
* thin cables
done
Dope editing with the musical install!
Good video and not for me or the place I work at. I haven't looked at their website, but a cartridge that has one connector at the front and another at the back would open up a lot of possibilities.
The three most important things are 'heat management' 'access management' and, maybe, 'cable management', though even then I might put dust and dirt management and security Iin there.
1 fully equipped box is more expensive than UniFi 24 port PoE switch...
This is a solution looking for a problem. Just rack your patch panel correctly from the beginning, 24 patch panel above and below a switch, 6 inch patch cables. This doesn't make it look any better. Also, the only cables I have ever seen 'fail' were the flat styles. I'll never use flat Ethernet cables ever again.
It's a nice idea, but much more cost effective to just buy spools of bulk cable and ends, then cut and terminate to length.
I need a patchbox
Good video but I feel like your use cases do not really show the product in the best of light.
Might be worth jazzing up a model rack with a patch panel or two with some switches and cables. Do a before and after with the PatchBox
Pricey but ingenious.
I have a test network setup that could use this product. Cisco Meraki, Mikrotik (Three Routers) along with Ubiquiti and assorted other equipment. My Mikrotik is by far the bulk of my network. I can see where this would make my lab so much more usable than it is now.
This is a great product. I’d love to have this product for my set up it would cut down on all the patch cables that I have. I’d have the exact size I need vs what I have now. I’m going to be setting everything up soon.
i should've waited till 5:05 before liking it
Hi there, I saw you fighting with the frame during installation of the cassettes. Just use the inlay from the front of the patchbox carton packing as support, in the carton or an the table, while installing the cassettes. you will have space enough under the cassettes to easily put them into the frame.
I know the problem with the outstanding cablemanagement-pieces in small/narrow racks, this might be quickly solved by cutting the outward bound parts. for small setups the rest of the "patchcatch" management should do: it keeps the cables at the side of rack.
nice equipment, isn't it?
Nice desk pad! ;-D LOL
If you need an idea for a video, it would be cool to show off your home assistant instance.
Oof! The editing was awesome :D
I really wanted to see the mess of boxes on the floor at 5.26 😂😂😂
What a sweet piece of kit
so you terminate to a patch panel and then instead of patching to a switch you patch to patchbox and then patch from it to a switch?
@Marco Stein so you terminate to the back of the patchbox?
I want one bad
Thanks for the review!
Nice syncing with the beat @ 5:06 🤣
To me it’s such a no-brainer - why don’t they build one with a punch down block on the back end to you can terminate your network wires right to it and then label and path on the front? It would make it so much better in my opinion.
I’m sure with all that depth they could engineer a slender style punch down where the pins/notches ran the length of each cassette.
I think it's a waste of valuable 1U space. If they could have the patch panel integrated on the other end instead of the cable then it might be of value.
It also looked like the cable orientation was backwards. I put switches next to patch panels and need the cable to make a short arc
If it could replace patch panels then might be worth it. Otherwise it’s just taking up RU’s.
At 5:55 I was surprised to find out they are a company from my home country.
Haha nice remix dude!
They are so cool but you just can never justify them at scale.
I don't think patchbox warrants the price. the best setups for large number of cables is using patchsee cabling and a lightbox. Its using normal cables but having the ability to find the end cable in a large bundle much easier and at a cheaper price.
Tugging on a single cable bundled with 200+ cables don't help when tracing patchbox doesn't save time on this, patchsee does as the lightbox will light up the other end.