Any guide how to create patchpanels in the 2.5 - beta?

[Malfunceddie]

Hi,

I've been holding off on using netbox since it lacked patchpanels. 

The 2.5 beta release should have implemented this feature, but is there a guid how to do this?

kind regards,

 

[Brian Candler]

There is some documentation here:

https://github.com/digitalocean/netbox/blob/develop-2.5/docs/core-functionality/devices.md#cables
https://github.com/digitalocean/netbox/blob/develop-2.5/docs/core-functionality/devices.md#pass-through-ports

Basically, it extends the type of ports available.  Previously there were:

* (network) interfaces

* power outlets and power ports

* console server ports and console ports

Now you also get "front ports" and "rear ports", which are internally connected.

Suppose you want to model a 24-way patch panel.  The basic approach is:

* Create a new device type, say "patch-24-rj45".  1U, not full depth.

* Select "Add Components", "Rear ports"   (you should do rear ports first - the reason will become apparent)

* Enter "[1-24]" as the name (including the square brackets), select Type: 8P8C, Positions: 1.  This means there's 1 front port for each rear port.

* Select "Add Components", "Front ports"

* Enter "[1-24]" as the name (including the square brackets)

* In the "Rear Ports" list below, select all the items - they are from 1:1 to 24:1

Then create a suitable Device Role, e.g. "Patch panel"

Now you can create an instance of patch-24-rj45 in two different racks, with this role.  Let's say they are called PP1 and PP2.

Then you can connect up PP1 rear port 1 to PP2 rear port 1, PP1 rear port 2 to PP2 rear port 2 (etc).  Unfortunately this part is very tedious.

Finally, you can connect an 'interface' on a device to the 'front port' on patch panel PP1, and an 'interface' on another device to the corresponding 'front port' on patch panel PP2.

The "Connection" shows the remote device interface disregarding the intervening patching, but there's also a cool "trace" button (the blue one) which shows you the physical path:

The reason for doing rear ports first is that one rear port can break out to multiple front ports - e.g. consider a 12-strand fibre cable being presented as six duplex LC connectors.

In the limit: you can make a device type for a patch panel that has a single rear port (called e.g. "backplane") linked to 24 front ports.  You can then make a single connection between the rear "port" on PP1 to the rear "port" on PP2, and the whole thing is wired up.  You're pretending there's a 192-pin connector on the back.  There's no option to select this, so just select 8P8C as before.

This is very quick, but only works if all 24 ports on one patch panel connect 1-to-1 to the corresponding 24 ports on exactly one other patch panel.

HTH,

Brian.

[Fabien VINCENT]

That's obviously a nice feature I tested in 2.5b1. Do you know if it's normal, beta problem to get a stack trace when clicking on the "trace cable" feature ?

Will provided you full debug details if not a known issue on monday.

Fabien VINCENT
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[Brian Candler]

I haven't seen that, so yes it would be helpful to provide full details.

[Luca]

hi Brian,

thanks for this best practice. I agree with you, that connecting 2 patch panel is a bit tedious but it's really quick if you import this connection; for me is also tedius to see all of this connection (24/48 for each patch panel) on the list cable!! isn't there a way to hide this?

[Brian Candler]

On Friday, 7 June 2019 15:30:15 UTC+1, Luca wrote:

I agree with you, that connecting 2 patch panel is a bit tedious but it's really quick if you import this connection; for me is also tedius to see all of this connection (24/48 for each patch panel) on the list cable!! isn't there a way to hide this?

Not that I'm aware of.  There are a few filters available in the cable list, but nothing like a 'cable role' that could determine whether it's part of fixed infrastructure or flying leads; nor any way to filter to cables which only connect to interfaces or front ports.