patch panel

[′pach ‚pan·əl] (computer science) control panel panel

patch board, patch panel

A board or panel where electric circuits are terminated with jacks and plugs, and where they may be interconnected temporarily by means of a cord called a “patch cord.”

patch panel

A group of sockets used to manually connect incoming and outgoing lines together in communications and electronic systems. Using short patch cords, one end is plugged into an "in" line and the other end to an "out" line. Wireless patch panels are also available that provide the cross connections by flipping a switch rather than plugging in wires. See wiring rack and patch cord.

Rack Mounted Patch Panels

Patch panels come small and large. In large datacenters such as this one, patch panels are often rack mounted. Not remarkably high tech, they are simply used to manually connect one line to another.