Why do rack switches have their ports on the front?
Solution 1:
Because typically, networking gear goes into its own racks, and servers go into their own racks. The network rack will often have patch panels in it, also on the front, so that the cables all just go into cable management - on the side of the racks and/or across the front of the racks.
Solution 2:
Switches need to be reverse mounted (ie, their ports should face the same way that the server ports do, toward the back of the rack).
Also, maybe you can get some use from this: http://www.standalone-sysadmin.com/blog/2008/06/howto-racks-and-rackmounting/