patch panel
nounUK /ˈpætʃ ˌpænəl/
US /ˈpætʃ ˌpænəl/
A flat board with many small holes where wires are plugged in to connect things together.
The technician plugged the network cables into the patch panel.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A piece of hardware used to organize and manage network cables in a server room.
All the office network cables end at the patch panel in the server room.
3. A panel used in audio or video setups to route signals between devices.
The sound engineer connected the microphones to the audio patch panel.
4. A mounting board with sockets that lets you change connections quickly without rewiring.
Using a patch panel makes it easy to move a phone line to a different desk.