Patch Panel Mapping Across the Network

[motiar]

I inherited a network with ca. 50 Switch in a campus Network with ca. 30 Patch Panels. Some Switches are beyond 3-4 PP of Core Switch. But there is no Mapping or patching documentation, also no labeled on the connected cables. I am just planning to build a complete map of the network and a documentation with which PP port is connected to which PP port. I know I can do it by running one PP to another and document the connected PP ports with the switches. But this would be complex task and need lots of time.

Is there a way to seen (with similar Cisco command: show cdp neighbor or show lldp neighbor) which Patch Panel port is connected to others? Or are there any tools to read the PP Mapping?

I would be thankful to your valuable suggestions.

[Yury Kuzminov]

Unfortunately, you are right, cable management (in case of production network without documentation) is very complex task. Provided tools (such as CDP/LLDP) are useless, because they can show you an L2/L3 connectivity instead of L1 that you realy need. Main goal in this case is to find a timeslot (if available) for network outage, find a Fluke (or any other testers) and consequentially check the L1 segments with proper marking the cables and documentation update.

[cknox1]

Hi Motiar,

I know that the "show cdp neighbors" command will show you the following details:

- Device ID

- Local Interface connected

- Hold time

- Capability of the remote device

- Platform that the remote device is running on 

- Port ID

Unfortunately, I am unaware of a type of way that the devices can be used to pin point the Patch Panel ports in between them - Unless of course you are using Smart Patch Panels which have light indicators that show you where the other end is connected etc..... and give other information via the LED dispaly on the front of the patch panel.

If you are using conventional patch panels, I think it may be the case of tracing the cables....................

Hopefully someone has an alternative solution.

Hope this helps!