N10-009 Question 182
Single answerCabling: Patch panel, Fiber distribution panel, LockableA hospital is upgrading a wiring closet that contains copper terminations for office drops and fiber uplinks between floors. The network administrator wants to reduce the risk of accidental disconnects and unauthorized tampering while still keeping cabling organized for troubleshooting. Which solution BEST meets these requirements?
- A
Terminate all copper and fiber runs directly into switches, then secure the room with a standard door lock
- B
Install a lockable rack cabinet with a patch panel for copper terminations and a lockable fiber distribution panel for fiber cross-connects
- C
Replace the patch panel with unmanaged switches so fewer cables are exposed in the closet
- D
Use a lockable wall plate at each user desk instead of securing the cabling infrastructure in the closet
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The best answer is to use a patch panel for copper and a fiber distribution panel for fiber, with lockable physical protection. In structured cabling environments, copper horizontal runs are normally terminated on patch panels, while fiber is terminated and managed in fiber distribution hardware designed to protect connectors, maintain bend radius, and organize strands. Lockable cabinets or lockable panels add a layer of physical security to reduce accidental or unauthorized access. This approach aligns with common structured cabling best practices reflected in TIA/EIA-style design guidance and standard data center and telecommunications room practices: permanent cabling should terminate on appropriate distribution hardware rather than directly into switches, and sensitive cross-connect areas should be physically secured.
- A. Incorrect.
This is incorrect because directly terminating permanent copper and fiber cabling into switch ports is poor practice. Patch panels and fiber distribution panels are used to protect switch interfaces, support structured cabling, improve labeling and change management, and reduce wear on active equipment. A locked room helps physical security, but it does not replace the need for proper termination hardware.
- B. Correct.
This is correct because it addresses both organization and physical security. A patch panel provides a proper termination point for copper horizontal cabling, and a fiber distribution panel provides protected termination and management for fiber strands, connectors, and slack. Using lockable enclosures or panels helps prevent unauthorized access and accidental unplugging, which is especially important in sensitive environments like hospitals.
- C. Incorrect.
This is incorrect because unmanaged switches are active devices, not substitutes for patch panels. Replacing a passive termination field with switches increases dependency on active equipment and does not solve cable management or fiber protection requirements. It also introduces unnecessary complexity and possible points of failure.
- D. Incorrect.
This is incorrect because locking individual wall plates at desks does not protect backbone fiber, patching fields, or switch interconnections in the wiring closet. The main risk described in the scenario is tampering and accidental disconnects within the closet, so securing the central cabling infrastructure is the more appropriate control.