Plugging a jumper between two ports to complete a path, the everyday move in a cross-connect or data center. Work orders read patch panel 3 port 14 to switch 2 port 22, and the tech must match connector type, polish, fiber type and polarity. Patching also means rerouting a circuit by moving jumpers rather than touching the permanent cable.
Patch the customer from FDP 4 port 9 to the OLT card in slot 2, and update the record before you leave.
Related terms
Jumper
A short fiber cable with connectors on both ends, used to patch equipment to panels or panels to each other.
Patch panel
A rack-mounted enclosure of adapters where permanent cable fibers end and jumpers connect them to equipment.
Spaghetti
A messy tangle of patch cords hanging in front of a rack, with no cable management or labeling.
Roll
To swap the two fibers of a duplex pair so transmit and receive line up with the far end.