My client is moving into an office space that already has Ethernet wiring. The cable bundle all terminates in one corner of the office. About 15 cables come out of a conduit tube, each is labeled and terminated with an RJ-45 jack (male). The cables have between 12" - 24" of wire coming out of the conduit (they vary in length).
I need to connect these all to a switch and would like some advice on the best way to do it. My thoughts so far:
a) See if I can plug them directly into the switch - but due to the short length of cable (12" min, 24" max), this could get tight. May be OK if I don't have to change anything once they are connected.
b) Find a patch panel that is effectively a block of couplers - I can plug these cables in one side using RJ-45 and then patch them to the switch. i.e. No punch down. Does such a think exist? Is there a downside to using couplers?
c) Cut the RJ-45 plugs off these wires, use a standard patch panel and punch down the wires. My concern again is the short length of wire I have to work with.
Any advice much appreciated.