Provided herein are switching methods and systems for switching a patch cord fiber in a fiber management system having non-tensioned patch cord fibers, from a first adapter to a second adapter. Switching comprises disconnecting the patch cord fiber connector from the first adapter; distinguishing the disconnected patch cord fiber, at a region removed from the connector, from other patch cord fibers according to a position of the patch cord fiber in the fiber management system; pulling the distinguished patch cord fiber at the handling region to receive and clasp the disconnected connector, wherein the pulling is carried out to disentangle the pulled patch cord fiber from the other patch cord fibers; and connecting the clasped connector to the second adapter. The patch cord fibers are thus manages at edges thereof only, with no slack control required.