Tracing network RJ45 / RJ11 cable from user desk to patch panel backend

Solution 1:

This task is going to be extremely tedious.

The best way to do it is to get a tone generator tool. Plug the tone generator into each user jack and then go to the patch panel and see which jack the tone is in with the wand; then, check the connection to see you have the right jack, and it's traced.

The other thing to do is make a loopback cable that connects the centre two pins of the jack. Those pins are almost always straight through in the cable, but you can connect the two pins outside of that together also if you want. Then, test which jack on the patch panel has the centre two pins connected (you can make another cable that just breaks the jack out into bare wires for this).

There are lots and lots of commercially produced tools available at pretty much any hardware store for various prices that can do anything from just help you trace cables to determining how long those cables are and whether they are up to spec. Such a thing (I won't recommend any particular one) will make this task much easier.

While doing any of these things it's strongly advised that you ensure nothing else is connected on the other end of the cable (such as a switch, or a PoE insert, or a phone line) to avoid breaking anything.

Solution 2:

You will need a Network locator tool, commonly called fox and hound

This is a great entry level model

http://www.tigerdirect.com

If you want to save yourself some headaches, get a model that comes with multiple ends.

http://www.mcmelectronics.com

With your tool, plug one end into a network cable at the user's desk, then plug the other end of your tool into a cable in the patch panel. Repeat until you get a tone or a light on the fox and hound.