Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures -- Part 2-4: Telecommunications Cabling Infrastructure

This European Standard addresses the wide range of telecommunications cabling infrastructures within data
centres based upon the criteria and classifications for “availability” within EN 50600-1.
This European Standard specifies requirements and recommendations for the following:
a) information technology and network telecommunications cabling (e.g. SAN and LAN);
b) general information technology cabling to support the operation of the data centre;
c) telecommunications cabling to monitor and control, as appropriate, power distribution, environmental
control and physical security of the data centre;
d) other building automation cabling;
e) pathways, spaces and enclosures for the telecommunications cabling infrastructures.
Safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements are outside the scope of this European
Standard and are covered by other standards and regulations. However, information given in this European
Standard may be of assistance in meeting these standards and regulations.

Informationstechnik - Einrichtungen und Infrastrukturen von Rechenzentren -- Teil 2-4: Infra¬struktur der Telekommunikationsverkabelung

Technologie de l’information - Installation et infrastructures de centres de traitement de données -- Partie 2-4: Infrastructure du câblage dédié télécommunications

Informacijska tehnologija - Naprave in infrastruktura podatkovnega centra - 2-4. del: Pokabljenje za telekomunikacije

Ta evropski standard obravnava širok nabor pokabljenja za telekomunikacije v podatkovnih centrih na podlagi meril in klasifikacij za »razpoložljivost« v skladu s standardom EN 50600-1.
Ta evropski standard določa zahteve in podaja priporočila za naslednje:
a) pokabljenje za informacijsko tehnologijo in omrežne telekomunikacijske sisteme (npr. SAN in LAN);
b) splošno pokabljenje za informacijsko tehnologijo za podporo delovanja podatkovnega centra;
c) pokabljenje za telekomunikacije za spremljanje in nadzor distribucije električne energije, ukrepov za varstvo okolja in fizično zaščito podatkovnega centra, kadar je to ustrezno;
d) drugo pokabljenje za avtomatizacijo stavb;
e) prehode, predele in ohišja za pokabljenje za telekomunikacije.
Varnostne zahteve in zahteve za elektromagnetno združljivost (EMC) ne sodijo na področje uporabe tega evropskega standarda ter so zajete v drugih standardih in predpisih. Kljub temu lahko informacije v tem evropskem standardu pripomorejo k izpolnjevanju teh standardov in predpisov.

General Information

Status
Published
Public Enquiry End Date
31-Jan-2014
Publication Date
23-Apr-2015
Current Stage
6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
Start Date
09-Apr-2015
Due Date
14-Jun-2015
Completion Date
24-Apr-2015

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SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 50600-2-4:2015
01-maj-2015
Informacijska tehnologija - Naprave in infrastruktura podatkovnega centra - 2-4.
del: Pokabljenje za telekomunikacije
Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures -- Part 2-4:
Telecommunications Cabling Infrastructure
Informationstechnik - Einrichtungen und Infrastrukturen von Rechenzentren -- Teil 2-4:
Infra¬struktur der Telekommunikationsverkabelung
Technologie de l’information - Installation et infrastructures de centres de traitement de
données -- Partie 2-4: Infrastructure du câblage dédié télécommunications
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50600-2-4:2015
ICS:
33.020 Telekomunikacije na splošno Telecommunications in
general
35.110 Omreževanje Networking
SIST EN 50600-2-4:2015 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2015

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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2015


EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 50600-2-4

NORME EUROPÉENNE

EUROPÄISCHE NORM
March 2015
ICS 35.020; 35.110; 35.160

English Version
Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures
- Part 2-4: Telecommunications cabling infrastructure
Technologie de l'information - Installation et infrastructures Informationstechnik - Einrichtungen und Infrastrukturen von
de centres de traitement de données - Partie 2-4: Rechenzentren - Teil 2-4: Infrastruktur der
Infrastructure du câblage dédié télécommunications Telekommunikationsverkabelung
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2015-02-16. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.


European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2015 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
 Ref. No. EN 50600-2-4:2015 E

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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2015
EN 50600-2-4:2015 – 2 –

Content
Foreword . 5
Introduction . 6
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references. 8
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations . 9
3.1 Terms and definitions . 9
3.2 Abbreviations . 10
4 Conformance . 11
5 Telecommunications cabling within the data centre . 11
5.1 General . 11
5.2 Information technology and network telecommunications cabling in the computer room space . 14
5.3 Structured cabling for other data centre spaces and application specific structured cabling . 16
6 Availability design principles for telecommunications cabling infrastructure . 17
7 Availability classification for telecommunications cabling infrastructure . 17
7.1 General . 17
7.2 Telecommunications cabling for the computer room . 18
7.3 Telecommunications cabling for offices . 22
7.4 Telecommunications cabling for monitoring and control . 22
8 Pathways and pathway systems for telecommunications cabling . 22
8.1 General . 22
8.2 Pathways . 23
8.3 Pathway systems . 24
9 Cabinets and racks for the computer room space . 25
9.1 General requirements. 25
9.2 Requirements for dimensions . 25
9.3 Recommendations . 25
10 Documentation and quality plan . 25
10.1 Requirements for documentation . 25
10.2 Recommendations for documentation . 25
10.3 Requirements for the quality plan . 26
11 Management and operation of the telecommunications cabling infrastructure . 26
11.1 General . 26
11.2 Automated infrastructure management systems . 26
11.3 Fibre optic cabling . 26
Annex A (normative) Cabling design concepts . 27
A.1 General . 27

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– 3 – EN 50600-2-4:2015

A.2 Class 1 cabling concept . 27
A.3 Class 2 cabling concepts . 28
A.4 Class 3 cabling concepts . 30
A.5 Class 4 cabling concepts . 32
Annex B (informative) Energy efficiency considerations for the telecommunications cabling
infrastructure . 35
Bibliography . 36
Figures
Figure 1 - Schematic relationship between the EN 50600 standards . 7
Figure 2 – Impact of growth in an unstructured point-to-point cabling infrastructure . 13
Figure 3 – Example of point-to-point cabling . 13
Figure 4 – Structured cabling infrastructure: setup and growth . 14
Figure 5 – Data centre cabling subsystems according to EN 50173-5 . 15
Figure 6 – Office cabling subsystems according to EN 50173-2 . 15
Figure 7 – Building service cabling subsystem according to EN 50173-6 . 16
Figure 8 – Telecommunication cabling Class 1 using direct attached cords . 18
Figure 9 – Transmission channels (interconnect and cross-connect) . 19
Figure 10 – ENI redundancy for Class 1 and 2 . 19
Figure 11 – Managing moves, adds and changes . 20
Figure 12 - Redundant multipath telecommunication cabling Class 3 . 20
Figure 13 - Redundant multipath telecommunication cabling Class 4 . 21
Figure A.1 – Symbols of network elements . 27
Figure A.2 – Example of a Class 1 cabling implementation . 27
Figure A.3 – Example for Class 2 EoR cabling implementation. 28
Figure A.4 – Example for Class 2 MoR cabling implementation . 29
Figure A.5 – Example for Class 2 ToR cabling implementation . 30
Figure A.6 – Example for Class 3 EoR cabling implementation. 31
Figure A.7 – Example for Class 3 ToR cabling implementation . 32
Figure A.8 – Example for Class 4 EoR cabling implementation. 33

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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2015
EN 50600-2-4:2015 – 4 –

Figure A.9 – Example for Class 4 ToR cabling implementation . 34
Tables
Table 1 – Telecommunication cabling Availability Classes per space architecture and overall data centre
Availability Class for facilities and infrastructures . 18

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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2015
– 5 – EN 50600-2-4:2015

Foreword
This document (EN 50600-2-4:2015) has been prepared by CLC/TC 215 "Electrotechnical aspects of
telecommunication equipment".
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which this document has to be (dop) 2016-02-16
implemented at national level by publication
of an identical national standard or by
endorsement
(dow) 2018-02-16
• latest date by which the national standards
conflicting with this document have to
be withdrawn
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CENELEC [and/or CEN] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CENELEC by the European Commission and
the European Free Trade Association.

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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2015
EN 50600-2-4:2015 – 6 –

Introduction
The unrestricted access to internet-based information demanded by the information society has led to an
exponential growth of both internet traffic and the volume of stored/retrieved data. Data centres are housing
and supporting the information technology and network telecommunications equipment for data processing,
data storage and data transport. They are required both by network operators (delivering those services to
customer premises) and by enterprises within those customer premises.
Data centres need to provide modular, scalable and flexible facilities and infrastructures to easily
accommodate the rapidly changing requirements of the market. In addition, energy consumption of data
centres has become critical both from an environmental point of view (reduction of carbon footprint) and with
respect to economical considerations (cost of energy) for the data centre operator.
The implementation of data centres varies in terms of:
a) purpose (enterprise, co-location, co-hosting or network operator facilities);
b) security level;
c) physical size;
d) accommodation (mobile, temporary and permanent constructions).
The needs of data centres also vary in terms of availability of service, the provision of security and the
objectives for energy efficiency. These needs and objectives influence the design of data centres in terms of
building construction, power distribution, environmental control and physical security. Effective management
and operational information is required to monitor achievement of the defined needs and objectives.
This series of European Standards specifies requirements and recommendations to support the various
parties involved in the design, planning, procurement, integration, installation, operation and maintenance of
facilities and infrastructures within data centres. These parties include:
1) owners, facility managers, ICT managers, project managers, main contractors;
2) architects, building designers and builders, system and installation designers;
3) facility and infrastructure integrators, suppliers of equipment;
4) installers, maintainers.
At the time of publication of this European Standard, EN 50600 series will comprise the following standards:
EN 50600-1, Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 1: General concepts
EN 50600-2-1, Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-1: Building
construction
EN 50600-2-2, Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-2: Power
distribution
EN 50600-2-3, Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-3: Environmental
control
EN 50600-2-4, Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-4:
Telecommunications cabling infrastructure
EN 50600-2-5, Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-5: Security systems
EN 50600-3-1, Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 3-1: Management and
operational information
The inter-relationship of the standards within the EN 50600 series is shown in Figure 1.

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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2015
– 7 – EN 50600-2-4:2015

EN 50600-2-1
Building construction
EN 50600-2-2
Power distribution
EN 50600-2-3
Environmental control
EN 50600-1
General concepts
EN 50600-2-4
Telecommunications
cabling infrastructure
EN 50600-2-5
Security systems
EN 50600-3-1
Management and
operational information

Figure 1 - Schematic relationship between the EN 50600 standards
EN 50600-2-X standards specify requirements and recommendations for particular facilities and
infrastructures to support the relevant classification for “availability”, “security” and “energy efficiency
enablement” selected from EN 50600-1.
EN 50600-3-X documents specify requirements and recommendations for data centre operations, processes
and management.
This European Standard addresses the specific requirements for the telecommunications cabling
infrastructure in data centres used for the purpose of IT networking and building services (in accordance with
the requirements of EN 50600-1).
This European Standard is intended for use by and collaboration between architects, building designers and
builders, system and installation designers.
This series of European Standards does not address the selection of information technology and network
telecommunications equipment, software and associated configuration issues.

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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2015
EN 50600-2-4:2015 – 8 –

1 Scope
This European Standard addresses the wide range of telecommunications cabling infrastructures within data
centres based upon the criteria and classifications for “availability” within EN 50600-1.
This European Standard specifies requirements and recommendations for the following:
a) information technology and network telecommunications cabling (e.g. SAN and LAN);
b) general information technology cabling to support the operation of the data centre;
c) telecommunications cabling to monitor and control, as appropriate, power distribution, environmental
control and physical security of the data centre;
d) other building automation cabling;
e) pathways, spaces and enclosures for the telecommunications cabling infrastructures.
Safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements are outside the scope of this European
Standard and are covered by other standards and regulations. However, information given in this European
Standard may be of assistance in meeting these standards and regulations.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 50173-1, Information technology - Generic cabling systems - Part 1: General requirements
EN 50173-2, Information technology - Generic cabling systems - Part 2: Office premises
EN 50173-5, Information technology - Generic cabling systems - Part 5: Data centres
EN 50173-6, Information technology - Generic cabling systems – Part 6: Distributed building services
EN 50174-1, Information technology - Cabling installation - Part 1: Installation specification and quality
assurance
EN 50174-2, Information technology - Cabling installation - Part 2 Installation planning and practices inside
buildings
EN 50600-1:2012, Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 1: General
concepts
EN 50600-2-1, Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures – Part 2-1: Building
construction
EN 50600-2-3, Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-3: Environmental
control
1)
EN 50600-3-1 , Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 3-1: Management
and operational information
———————
1)
Submitted to formal vote.

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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2015
– 9 – EN 50600-2-4:2015

3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 50600-1 and the following apply.
3.1.1
application-specific cabling
structured cabling with a configuration and performance which is considered to provide a specific benefit for
a single, or limited number of applications, as compared to generic cabling
3.1.2
central patching location
passive cross-connect to connect different functional elements of a data centre
Note 1 to entry: A central patching location can be located in the main distribution area and/or the intermediate distribution area and is
therefore a special configuration of an MD and/or an ID.
3.1.3
cross-connect
method of connecting a patch panel port to another patch panel port by the use of a patch cord or jumper
3.1.4
data centre information technology equipment
equipment in the computer room space of a data centre that transports and/or stores and/or processes
information
3.1.5
fixed cabling
cabling subsystem between closures which has either a peer-to-peer or hierarchical structure and which
enables the installation of cross-connects or interconnects at those closures
3.1.6
generic cabling
structured telecommunications cabling system, capable of supporting a wide range of applications
Note 1 to entry: Application-specific hardware is not a part of generic cabling.
Note 2 to entry: Generic cabling can be installed without prior knowledge of the required applications.
[SOURCE: EN 50173-1:2011, 3.1.40 – modified: changed the editorial presentation of NOTES]
3.1.7
interconnect
method of connecting a patch panel port to an equipment port by the use of equipment cords
3.1.8
office network information technology equipment
equipment in data centre spaces that transports and/or stores and/or processes information
3.1.9
point-to-point connection
direct connection of two pieces of IT equipment using a dedicated cable rather than a generic cabling system
3.1.10
structured cabling
telecommunications cabling comprising fixed cables between points of distribution at which equipment or
other fixed cables may be connected

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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2015
EN 50600-2-4:2015 – 10 –

3.1.11
telecommunications provider
either an access provider or a service provider
Note 1 to entry: The term access provider is defined in EN 50174-2:2009/A2:2014, 3.1.1.
Note 2 to entry: The term service provider is defined in EN 50174-2:2009/A2:2014, 3.1.30.
3.1.12
zone patching location
passive cross-connect to connect different function elements of a data centre zone. A zone patching location
can be located in the zone distribution area and is therefore a special configuration of a ZD.
3.2 Abbreviations
For the purposes of this document, the abbreviations given in EN 50600-1 and the following abbreviations
apply.
BEF Building Entrance Facility
BD Building Distributor
C
 Connection
CD Campus Distributor
CP Consolidation Point
CPL Central Patching Location
ENI External Network Interface
EO Equipment Outlet
EoR End of Row
EQP Transmission Equipment
FD Floor Distributor
ID Intermediate Distributor
LDP Local Distribution Point
MD Main Distributor
MoR Middle of Row
SCP Service Concentration Point
SD Service Distributor
SO Service Outlet
TE Terminal Equipment
TO Telecommunications Outlet

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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2015
– 11 – EN 50600-2-4:2015

ToR Top of Rack
ZD Zone Distributor
ZPL Zone Patching Location
4 Conformance
For a data centre to conform to this European Standard:
a) the cabling design shall meet the requirements of Clause 5;
b) the cabling design for the selected Availability Class shall be in accordance with Clause 7;
c) the design and specifications of pathways and spaces shall be in accordance with Clauses 8
and 9;
d) the information technology cabling to support the operation of the data centre shall be in
accordance with EN 50173-2, except where 7.3 allows an alternative approach ;
e) the information technology cabling to support the IT networking function of the data centre shall be in
accordance with EN 50173-5, except where 7.2 allows an alternative approach;
f) telecommunications cabling for monitoring and/or control of power distribution, environmental control and
physical security shall be in accordance with EN 50173-6, except where 7.4 allows an alternative
approach;
g) installation specification, quality assurance, installation planning and practice of cabling shall be in
accordance with EN 50174 series and Clauses 8 and 9;
h) national and local regulations, including safety, shall be met.
5 Telecommunications cabling within the data centre
5.1 General
5.1.1 The importance of telecommunications cabling within data centre spaces
The telecommunications cabling within the data centre serves to support the following:
a) data centre information technology and network telecommunications;
b) monitoring and controlling of other data centre infrastructures;
c) building management and automation.
The design and planning of cabling infrastructures should be undertaken at an early stage of the data centre
design or refurbishment and should be integrated with the design and planning of:
1) electrical power;
2) environmental control systems;
3) security systems;
4) lighting systems.
This clause defines the requirements and recommendations for the performance, design criteria and
architectures for the different cabling types in a data centre.

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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2015
EN 50600-2-4:2015 – 12 –

The importance of the information technology and network telecommunications cabling infrastructure is
similar to that of other infrastructures such as environmental control, power distribution and security. As with
other utilities, interruptions to service can have a serious impact. Poor quality of service due to lack of
planning, use of inappropriate components, incorrect installation, poor administration or inadequate support
can threaten an organisation's effectiveness.
5.1.2 Cabling implementation
The cabling infrastructures in a data centre shall be appropriate to provide networking and
telecommunications capabilities in and between dedicated data centre spaces.
For the purposes of this standard, two types of cabling are considered for data centre spaces:
a) point-to-point;
b) fixed cabling implemented using structured cabling including the generic cabling solutions of the
EN 50173 series. The closures may be grouped and accommodated in cabinets, frames or racks
which act as cabling presentation facilities. The cabling presentation facilities allow
interconnection or cross-connections between fixed cabling or between fixed cabling and IT
equipment in close proximity.
5.1.3 Point-to-point cabling
5.1.3.1 General
The point-to-point connection method uses discrete cords (typically factory-produced) that directly connect
the active equipment. Each cord connects a single port of one device to a single port of another device.
Although point-to-point cabling seems to be the simplest and most cost effective method of providing
connections, for several reasons this cabling type should only be used for connections within the same or
two adjacent cabinets, frames or racks. Point-to-point cabling is often not reusable as the data centre
evolves and equipment types and locations change and may have a limited life time expectation. Continuous
changes to the required interconnections increase both the planning and the operational resources required
for each change (see Figure 2 and Figure 3) and increases the risk of interfering with other infrastructures -
including those for environmental control.
5.1.3.2 Restrictions on the use of point-to-point cabling
Where this standard allows point-to-point cabling, it should ony be used subject to the following restrictions:
a) the mechanical performance of cords or cables used for point-to-point connections shall meet the
requirements of the installation environment (e.g. pathway systems);
b) connectors on cords shall be protected against damage during installation, disconnection or removal;
c) point-to-point connections shall only be used where the replacement of the cord following damage to
either connector can be performed without disruption to the data centre operation;
d) cords shall be managed so as to avoid mechanical damage and/or accidental disconnection to adjacent
connections during insertion or removal;
e) cords shall be labelled at both ends to show their origin and destination in accordance with the level 3
administration requirements of EN 50174-1;
f) the impact of point to point connections on the fire load of cabling shall be assessed and mitigation
provided if necessary;
g) cor
...

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 50600-2-4:2014
01-januar-2014
Informacijska tehnologija - Naprave in infrastruktura podatkovnega centra - 2-4.
del: Pokabljenje za telekomunikacije
Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures -- Part 2-4:
Telecommunications Cabling Infrastructure
Informationstechnik - Einrichtungen und Infrastrukturen von Rechenzentren -- Teil 2-4:
Infra¬struktur der Telekommunikationsverkabelung
Technologie de l’information - Installation et infrastructures de centres de traitement de
données -- Partie 2-4: Infrastructure du câblage dédié télécommunications
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 50600-2-4:2013
ICS:
33.020 Telekomunikacije na splošno Telecommunications in
general
35.110 Omreževanje Networking
oSIST prEN 50600-2-4:2014 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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oSIST prEN 50600-2-4:2014

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oSIST prEN 50600-2-4:2014
 DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 50600-2-4

NORME EUROPÉENNE
December 2013
EUROPÄISCHE NORM

ICS 35.020; 35.110; 35.160


English version


Information technology -
Data centre facilities and infrastructures -
Part 2-4: Telecommunications Cabling Infrastructure



Technologie de l’information -  Informationstechnik -
Installation et infrastructures de centres de Einrichtungen und Infrastrukturen von
traitement de données - Rechenzentren -
Partie 2-4: Infrastructure du câblage dédié Teil 2-4: Infrastruktur der
télécommunications Telekommunikationsverkabelung



This draft European Standard is submitted to CENELEC members for CENELEC enquiry.
Deadline for CENELEC: 2014-05-09.

It has been drawn up by CLC/TC 215.

If this draft becomes a European Standard, CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal
Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without
any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CENELEC in three official versions (English, French, German). A
version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own
language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they
are aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change
without notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.


CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels


© 2013 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Project: 23545 Ref. No. prEN 50600-2-4:2013 E

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oSIST prEN 50600-2-4:2014
prEN 50600-2-4:2013 – 2 –
Content
Foreword . 4
Introduction . 4
1 Scope and conformance . 7
1.1 Scope . 7
1.2 Conformance . 7
2 Normative references. 7
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations . 8
3.1 Terms and definitions . 8
3.2 Abbreviations . 9
4 Telecommunications cabling within the data centre . 10
4.1 General . 10
4.2 Information technology and network telecommunications cabling in the computer room space . 12
4.3 Structured cabling for other data centre spaces and application specific structured cabling . 15
5 Availability design principles for telecommunications cabling infrastructure . 15
5.1 General . 15
5.2 Details . 16
6 Availability classification for telecommunications cabling infrastructure . 16
6.1 General . 16
6.2 Telecommunications cabling for the computer room . 16
6.3 Telecommunications cabling for offices . 20
6.4 Telecommunications cabling for monitoring and control . 20
7 Pathways and pathways systems for telecommunications cabling . 20
7.1 General . 20
7.2 Pathways . 20
7.3 Pathways systems . 23
8 Cabinets and racks for the computer room space . 24
8.1 General Requirements . 24
8.2 Requirements for dimensions . 25
8.3 Recommendations . 25
9 Documentation and quality plan . 25
9.1 Requirements for documentation . 25
9.2 Recommendations for documentation . 26
9.3 Requirements for the quality plan . 26
10 Management and operation of the telecommunications cabling infrastructure . 26
10.1 General . 26
10.2 Automated infrastructure management systems . 26
10.3 Fibre optic cabling . 26

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Annex A (normative) Cabling design concepts . 27
Annex B (informative) Energy efficiency considerations for the telecommunications cabling
infrastructure . 29
Bibliography . 36
Figures
Figure 1 - Schematic relationship between the EN 50600 standards . 6
Figure 2 – Impact of growth in an unstructured point-to-point cabling infrastructure . 11
Figure 3 – Example of point-to-point cabling . 11
Figure 4 – Structured cabling infrastructure: setup and growth . 12
Figure 5 – Data centre cabling subsystems according to EN 50173-5 . 13
Figure 6 – Office cabling subsystems according to EN 50173-2 . 14
Figure 9 – Telecommunication cabling Class 1 using direct attached cords . 17
Figure 10 – ENI redundancy for Class 1 and 2 . 17
Figure 11 - Telecommunication cabling Class 2 . 17
Figure 12 – Managing moves, adds and changes . 18
Figure 13 - Redundant multipath telecommunication cabling Class 3 . 18
Figure 14 - Redundant multipath telecommunication cabling Class 4 . 19
Figure A.1 – Symbols of network elements . 27
Figure A.2 – Example for Class 2 EoR cabling implementation. 28
Figure A.3 – Example for Class 2 MoR cabling implementation . 29
Figure A.4 – Example for Class 2 ToR cabling implementation . 30
Figure A.5 – Example for Class 3 EoR cabling implementation. 31
Figure A.6 – Example for Class 3 ToR cabling implementation . 32
Figure A.7 – Example for Class 4 EoR cabling implementation. 33
Figure A.8 – Example for Class 4 ToR cabling implementation . 34
Tables
Table 1 – Telecommunication cabling availability classes per space architecture and overall data centre
availability class for facilities and infrastructures . 16

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prEN 50600-2-4:2013 – 4 –
Foreword
This document (prEN 50600-2-4:2013) has been prepared by CLC/TC 215 "Electrotechnical aspects of
telecommunication equipment".
This document is currently submitted to the Enquiry.
EN 50600-2-4 is part of the EN 50600 series of European Standards, which will comprise the following parts:
Part 1: General concepts
Part 2-1: Building construction
Part 2-2: Power distribution
Part 2-3: Environmental control
Part 2-4: Telecommunications Cabling Infrastructure
Part 2-5: Security systems
Part 2-6: Management and operational information

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Introduction
The unrestricted access to internet-based information demanded by the information society has led to an
exponential growth of both internet traffic and the volume of stored/retrieved data. Data centres are housing
and supporting the information technology and network telecommunications equipment for data processing,
data storage and data transport. They are required both by network operators (delivering those services to
customer premises) and by enterprises within those customer premises.
Data centres need to provide modular, scalable and flexible facilities and infrastructures to easily
accommodate the rapidly changing requirements of the market. In addition, energy consumption of data
centres has become critical both from an environmental point of view (reduction of carbon footprint) and with
respect to economical considerations (cost of energy) for the data centre operator.
The implementation of data centres varies in terms of:
a) purpose (enterprise, co-location, co-hosting or network operator facilities);
b) security level;
c) physical size;
d) accommodation (mobile, temporary and permanent constructions).
The needs of data centres also vary in terms of availability of service, the provision of security and the
objectives for energy efficiency. These needs and objectives influence the design of data centres in terms of
building construction, power distribution, environmental control and physical security. Effective management
and operational information is required to monitor achievement of the defined needs and objectives.
This series of European Standards specifies requirements and recommendations to support the various
parties involved in the design, planning, procurement, integration, installation, operation and maintenance of
facilities and infrastructures within data centres. These parties include:
1) owners, facility managers, ICT managers, project managers, main contractors;
2) architects, building designers and builders, system and installation designers;
3) facility and infrastructure integrators, suppliers of equipment;
4) installers, maintainers.
At the time of publication of this European Standard, EN 50600 series will comprise the following standards:
EN 50600-1: Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 1: General concepts
EN 50600-2-1: Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-1: Building
construction
EN 50600-2-2: Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-2: Power
distribution
EN 50600-2-3: Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-3: Environmental
control
EN 50600-2-4: Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-4:
Telecommunications cabling infrastructure
EN 50600-2-5: Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-5: Security systems
EN 50600-2-6: Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-6: Management and
operational information
The inter-relationship of the standards within the EN 50600 series is shown in Figure 1.

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oSIST prEN 50600-2-4:2014
prEN 50600-2-4:2013 – 6 –
EN 50600-2-1
Building construction
EN 50600-2-2
Power distribution
EN 50600-2-3
Environmental control
EN 50600-1
General concepts
EN 50600-2-4
Telecommunications
cabling infrastructure
EN 50600-2-5
Security systems
EN 50600-2-6
Management and
operational information

Figure 1 - Schematic relationship between the EN 50600 standards
EN 50600-2-X standards specify requirements and recommendations for particular facilities and
infrastructures to support the relevant classification for “availability”, “security” and “energy efficiency
enablement” selected from EN 50600-1.
This European Standard addresses the specific requirements for the telecommunications cabling
infrastructure in data centres used for the purpose of IT networking and building services (in accordance with
the requirements of EN 50600-1).
This European Standard is intended for use by and collaboration between architects, building designers and
builders, system and installation designers.
NOTE The “intended for” text above needs to be reviewed and definitions need to be created for each of the “responsible persons”.
This series of European Standards does not address the selection of information technology and network
telecommunications equipment, software and associated configuration issues.

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1 Scope and conformance
1.1 Scope
This European Standard addresses the wide range of telecommunications cabling infrastructures within data
centres based upon the criteria and classifications for “availability” within EN 50600-1.
This European Standard specifies requirements and recommendations for the following:
a) information technology and network telecommunications cabling (e.g. SAN and LAN);
b) general information technology cabling to support the operation of the data centre,
c) telecommunications cabling to monitor and control, as appropriate, power distribution, environmental
control and physical security of the data centre;
d) other building automation cabling;
e) pathways, spaces and enclosures for the telecommunications cabling infrastructures.
Safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements are outside the scope of this European
Standard and are covered by other standards and regulations. However, information given in this European
Standard may be of assistance in meeting these standards and regulations.
1.2 Conformance
For a data centre to conform to this European Standard:
a) the cabling design meets the requirements of clause 4 of this standard;
b) cabling design for the selected availability class shall be in accordance with clause 6 of this standard;
c) pathways and spaces design shall be in accordance with Clauses 7 and 8;
d) installation planning shall be in accordance with clause 7 and 8 of this standard;
e) information technology cabling to support the operation of the data centre shall be in accordance with
EN 50173-2;
f) information technology cabling to support the IT networking function of the data centre shall be in
accordance with EN 50173-5;
g) telecommunications cabling for monitoring/control of power distribution, environmental control and
physical security shall be in accordance with EN 50173-6;
h) installation specification, quality assurance, installation planning and practice of cabling shall be in
accordance with EN 50174 series;
i) national and local regulations, including safety, shall be met.
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 50173-1, Information technology - Generic cabling systems - Part 1: General requirements
EN 50173-2, Information technology - Generic cabling systems - Part 2: Office Premises
EN 50173-5, Information technology - Generic cabling systems - Part 5: Data Centres
EN 50173-6, Information technology - Generic cabling systems – Part 6: Distributed building services

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prEN 50600-2-4:2013 – 8 –
EN 50174-1, Information technology - Cabling installation - Part 1: Installation specification and quality
assurance
EN 50174-2, Information technology - Cabling installation - Part 2 Installation planning and practices inside
buildings
EN 50600-1:2012, Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 1: General
concepts
1)
EN 50600-2-1 , Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures – Part 2-1: Building
construction
2)
EN 50600-2-3 , Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-3: Environmental
control
3)
EN 50600-2-6 , Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-6: Management
and operational information
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 50600-1 and the following apply.
3.1.1
central patching location
passive cross-connect to connect different functional elements of a data centre
Note 1 to entry: A central patching location can be located in the main distribution area and/or the intermediate distribution area and is
therefore a special configuration of an MD and/or an ID.
3.1.2
cross-connect
method of connecting a cabling subsystem to equipment (or another cabling subsystem) by the use of a
patch cord or jumper
3.1.3
data centre information technology equipment
equipment in the computer room space of a data centre that transports and/or stores and/or processes
information
3.1.4
fixed cabling
cabling subsystem between closures which may have a either peer-to-peer or hierarchical structure which
enable the installation of cross-connects or interconnects
3.1.5
office networks information technology equipment
equipment in data centre spaces that transports and/or stores and/or processes information
———————
1)
Circulated for Formal Vote.
2)
Circulated for CENELEC Enquiry.
3)
At draft stage.

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3.1.6
point-to-point connection
direct connection of two pieces of IT equipment using a dedicated cable rather than a generic cabling system
3.1.7
zone patching location
passive crossconnect to connect different function elements of a data centre zone. A zone patching location
can be located in the zone distribution area and is therefore a special configuration of a ZD.
3.2 Abbreviations
For the purposes of this document, the abbreviations given in EN 50600-1 and the following abbreviations
apply.
BEF Building Entrance Facility
BD Building Distributor
C
 Connection
CD Campus Distributor
CP Consolidation Point
CPL Central Patching Location
ENI External Network Interface
EO Equipment Outlet
EQP Transmission Equipment
FD Floor Distributor
ID Intermediate Distributor
LDP Local Distribution Point
MD Main Distributor
SCP Service Concentration Point
SD Service Distributor
SO Service Outlet
TE Terminal Equipment
TO Telecommunications Outlet
ZD Zone Distributor
ZPL Zone Patching Location

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4 Telecommunications cabling within the data centre
4.1 General
4.1.1 The importance of telecommunications cabling within data centre spaces
The telecommunications cabling within the data centre serves the purposes of data centre information
technology and network telecommunications, monitoring and controlling of other data centre infrastructures
and building services and automation. The design and planning of cabling infrastructures should be
undertaken at an early stage of the data centre design or refurbishment and should be integrated with the
design and planning of electrical power, environmental control systems and other utilities and services such
as security and lighting systems. This clause describes the performance design criteria and architectures for
the different cabling types in a data centre.
The importance of the information technology and network telecommunications cabling infrastructure is
similar to that of other infrastructures such as environmental control, power distribution and security. As with
other utilities, interruptions to service can have a serious impact. Poor quality of service due to lack of
planning, use of inappropriate components, incorrect installation, poor administration or inadequate support
can threaten an organisation's effectiveness.
4.1.2 Cabling implementation
The cabling infrastructures in a data centre shall be appropriate to provide networking and
telecommunications capabilities in and between many of the dedicated data centres spaces.
For the purposes of this standard, two types of cabling are considered in all data centre spaces:
a) direct point-to-point;
b) fixed cabling between closures which may have a either peer-to-peer or hierarchical structure.
The closures may be grouped and accommodated in cabinets, frames or racks which act as
cabling presentation facilities. The cabling presentation facilities allow interconnection or cross-
connections between fixed cabling or between fixed cabling and IT equipment in close proximity.
NOTE: The general definition fully supports all the generic cabling implementations and also any other solutions.
4.1.3 Direct point to point cabling
4.1.3.1 General
The point-to-point connection method uses discrete cords (typically factory-produced) that directly connect
the active equipment. Each cord connects a single port of one device to a single port of another device.
Although direct point-to-point cabling seems to be the simplest and most cost effective method of providing
connections, for several reasons this cabling type should only be used for connections within the same or
two adjacent cabinets, frames or racks. Point-to-point cabling is often not reusable as the data centre
evolves and equipment types and locations change and may have a limited life time expectation. Continuous
changes to the required interconnections increase both the planning and the operational resources required
for each change (see Figure 2 and Figure 3) and increases the risk of interfering with other infrastructures -
including those for environmental control.
4.1.3.2 Restrictions on the use of direct point-to-point cabling
Point to point cabling may be used subject to the following restrictions:
a) it shall be ensured that the mechanical performance of cords or cables used for direct point-to-point
connections meet the requirements of the installation environment (e.g. pathway systems);
b) connectors on cords shall be protected against damage during installation, disconnection or removal;
c) point-to-point connections shall only be used where the replacement of the cord following damage to
either connector can be performed without disruption to the data centre operation;

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d) cords shall be managed so as to avoid mechanical damage and/or accidental disconnection to adjacent
connections during insertion or removal;
e) cords shall be labelled at both ends to show their origin and destination in accordance with the level 3
administration requirements of EN 50174-1;
f) the impact of point to point connections on the fire load of cabling shall be assessed and mitigation
provided if necessary;
g) cords providing point-to-point connections shall not be located where they restrict cooling airflow towards
active equipment.


Figure 2 – Impact of growth in an unstructured point-to-point cabling infrastructure


Figure 3 – Example of point-to-point cabling
4.1.4 Fixed cabling
Managing change with a fixed cabling implementation illustrated in Figure X and shows how the fixed cabling
implementation isolates the change activity to the defined areas. New equipment may be connected to the
fixed cabling without impacting active systems thereby avoiding scheduled downtime. In the event of a
problem with a change, it is only necessary to re-connect the cords into their pre-change configuration.
The fixed cabling implementation enables more accurate predictions of the time required to implement
system changes (and recovery) resulting in easier, faster changes that introduce less risk and enable
improved overall system operation.

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In addition, the it shall be taken into account that fixed cables typically have a greater minimum bending
radius than cords and this has to be reflected in pathway and pathway system design
...

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