After mounting the panel, connect the incoming cables to the back of the panel. Make sure to use the correct ports to ensure compatibility with your network devices. Match Your Standards: Always match your patch panel category (Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a) to your Ethernet cables to prevent network bottlenecks. Stripped outer jacket of the Cat6 cable. At Turn-Key Technologies, we design and implement high-performance network setup solutions. This article explains the Cat5e patch panel wiring basics (T568A/T568B), required tools and materials, and step-by-step termination, including a patch. The first step in wiring a patch panel is to gather the necessary supplies. However, you may also need additional tools such as a punch-down tool, a multimeter, and a cable tester.