Software to map physical network cables from patch panels to switches
Network admins need a database program to trace exact physical cable paths from wall outlets through patch panels to specific switch ports so external providers can diagnose issues. While this mapping can be done device-by-device in a spreadsheet, the manual process takes weeks of labor and the records fall out of date within a month.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Doing manual device-by-device tracking in Excel spreadsheetsDid this help you?
- 2Writing a custom database or tracking entries using tools like PRTG or SolarWindsDid this help you?
- 3Sending technicians physically into IDFs to trace patch cables across racks by handDid this help you?
- 4Storing device information in a password managerDid this help you?
- 5Tracking cable paths in Excel sheetsDid this help you?
- 6Deploying and configuring NetboxDid this help you?
- 7Using Endpoint Central to fetch MAC addresses and cross-referencing against switch MAC tablesDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I am the primary network infrastructure consultant for a company that has outsourced almost everything to an MSP.”source ↗
“the MSP has asked me to provide them a detailed network map that includes everything from Patch panels to switches to routers in one package so that they can "do there jobs" in diagnosing network issues.”source ↗
“what i am looking for is software capable of taking this picture Jigamabob 43 >>>> patch B2B-A16/4 >>>>>patch B1B-R1/4 >>>> Cisco 4300-gi2/22”source ↗
“Yes i am aware i can do this on a device by device basis in excel or i can do it all in PRTG or Solar Winds (i think) but if anyone knows a database program that can handle this kind of a task please let me know.”source ↗
“And yes this is going to take 2 of my techs weeks to go through. just trying to make it easier without writing my own database”source ↗
“In my case we have devices in password manager and cable paths (switch port -> patch panel -> wall outlet) in an excel sheet that is out of date within a month”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 3Is this outlet backstabbed or backwired?
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- 7Unidentified mystery wires and cables in the yard after moving in
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- 2What to do with loose wires and no ceiling box
- 5How to run a cable through a tight crawl space without entering