Color provides quick visual identification. Color coding simplifies management and can save you hours when you need to trace cables. Color coding can be applied to ports on a patch panel: patch panels themselves come with different color jacks or have colored inserts that surround the jack. Cables are available in many colors (the color palette depends on the cable manufacturer). Apply these colors to identify the role/function of a cable or the type of connection.
Below is an example color scheme for patch cables.
| Color | Type | Application (connections may by through patch panels) |
| Aqua | OM3 fiber | LAN/SAN device to device |
| Yellow | Single Mode Fiber | LAN/SAN device to device over long distance |
| Orange | OM1 or OM2 fiber | LAN/SAN device to device |
| Blue | Copper | LAN device to device |
| Green | Copper | KVM host to KVM switch, KVM switch to LAN switch, KVM switch to KVM switch |
| Yellow | Copper | Serial host to Terminal Server, Terminal Server to LAN switch |
| White | Copper | Power strip to LAN switch |