Question : CAt.5e switch and patch cable

Hello,
I have found an internet cafe office with the following network:
adsl modem
        I_____ voip modem I connected to 4 telepohnes.
        I_____ voip modem II connected to 4 telephones
        I_____ switch (6 ports)
                        I_____>cat.5e box ----> 3 feet patch cable ---> station controlling phone calls
                        I_____>cat.5e box ----> 3 feet path cable ----> station for administration and ftp
                        I_____> switch ( 6 ports )
                                            I____ Internet station for public
                                            I____ Internet station for public
                                            I____ Internet station for public
                                             I____ Internet station for public

What is this CAT.5E BOX doing? and what's the purpose of that PATCH WIRE?
How can I replace that box and patch cable with a  normal LAN wire?
I already tried the normal wire but it just does not work.
Is there anything I should change in the connection properties.
Please help
Best regards

Answer : CAt.5e switch and patch cable

Do you have a cable tester, or can you see the wires in the plugs, to tell if the patch cables are crossover (or maybe even rollover) instead of standard patch cables?
A standard patch cable should have all the wires in the same order on both ends.

If the box has auto detect ports it will work with about any kind of cable, so the cable substitution test may not prove standard Cat5e runs all the way from the first switch can replace the box and short patches.

Usually when I make a crossover cable (568A on one end; 568B on the other) I use red cable if available, or at least use red anti-snag boots on it if not, and also label it ''crossover'' with a sharpie on both ends... but that doesn't mean everyone does.

I'll admit I've only ever made & certified one rollover cable (wires in the same order on both ends, but one plug is rolled 180 when making/comparing, color code 'black'), and I've never ran into the instance where I needed to use it.