下面是IT168上的解释

http://publish.it168.com/cword/901.shtml 

    配线架是管理子系统中最重要的组件,是实现垂直干线和水平布线两个子系统交叉连接的枢纽。配线架通常安装在机柜或墙上。通过安装附件,配线架可以全线满足UTP、STP、同轴电缆、光纤、音视频的需要。在网络工程中常用的配线架有双绞线配线架和光纤配线架。
    双绞线配线架的作用是在管理子系统中将双绞线进行交叉连接,用在主配线间和各分配线间。双绞线配线架的型号很多,每个厂商都有自己的产品系列,并且对应3 类、5类、超5类、6类和7类线缆分别有不同的规格和型号,在具体项目中,应参阅产品手册,根据实际情况进行配置。

双绞线配线架

    光纤配线架的作用是在管理子系统中将光缆进行连接,通常在主配线间和各分配线间。

SC光纤配线架

ST光纤配线架

 

下面是http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patch_panel上的解释

A patch panel or patch bay is a panel, typically rackmounted, that houses cable connections. One typically shorter patch cable will plug into the front side, while the back will hold the connection of a much longer and more permanent cable. The assembly of hardware is arranged so that a number of circuits, usually of the same or similar type, appear on jacks for monitoring, interconnecting, and testing circuits in a convenient, flexible manner.

Patch panels offer the convenience of allowing technicians to quickly change the path of select signals, without the expense of dedicated switching equipment. This was first used by early telephone companies, where the telephone switchboard (a massive array of patch panels) and a large room full of telephone operators running it was ubiquitous.

 

 

配线架和跳线架的区别:

跳线架 看起来一排排象鱼骨头一样,也称为鱼骨架.一般是电话使用
配线架 从后面看跟跳线架差不多,但是正面却变成了RJ45口,专门方便电脑网络线缆连接

跳线架上面没有类似于RJ45或RJ11的接口,但是配线架上就有了,很明显就能区分开。两者都是起这连接作用上的。跳线架用在电话网络中比较多。