EN 50600-2-4:2023

Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-4: Telecommunications cabling infrastructure

This document specifies design principles for information technology and network telecommunications cabling (e.g. SAN and LAN) in accordance with EN 50173 5, based upon the criteria and classifications for “availability” and “physical security” within EN 50600 1. This document addresses the telecommunications cabling infrastructures used in data centres. It describes: a) for design, the application of generic cabling standards in the EN 50173 series; b) for installation specification, planning and practices and quality assurance, the application of standards in the EN 50174 series (and related standards). In addition, this document specifies requirements and recommendations for the following: 1) general information technology cabling to support the IT operation of the data centre; 2) telecommunications cabling to monitor and control, as appropriate, power distribution, environmental control and physical security of the data centre; 3) other building automation cabling; 4) pathways, pathway systems, spaces and enclosures for the telecommunications cabling infrastructures. Safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements are outside the scope of this document and are covered by other standards and regulations. However, information given in this document can be of assistance in meeting these standards and regulations.

Informationstechnik - Einrichtungen und Infrastrukturen von Rechenzentren - Teil 2-4: Infrastruktur der Telekommunikationsverkabelung

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

Le présent document spécifie les principes de conception du câblage des technologies de l’information et télécommunications en réseau (par exemple SAN et LAN) conformément à l’EN 50173 5, en fonction des critères et classifications de "disponibilité" et de "sécurité physique" de l’EN 50600 1. Le présent document traite des infrastructures de câblage de télécommunications utilisées dans les centres de traitement de données. Il décrit: a) pour la conception, l’application des normes de câblage génériques de la série EN 50173; b) pour les spécifications, la planification et les pratiques d’installation et pour l’assurance qualité, l’application des normes de la série EN 50174 (et des normes connexes). Le présent document spécifie en outre les exigences et recommandations relatives aux éléments suivants: 1) câblage général des technologies de l’information permettant le fonctionnement informatique du centre de traitement de données; 2) câblage de télécommunications pour contrôler et surveiller, suivant le cas, la distribution d’énergie, le contrôle environnemental et la sécurité physique du centre de traitement de données; 3) autre câblage d’automatisation des bâtiments; 4) chemins de câbles, systèmes de chemins de câbles, espaces et enveloppes réservés aux infrastructures de câblage de télécommunications. Les exigences concernant la sécurité et la compatibilité électromagnétique (CEM) ne relèvent pas du domaine d’application du présent document et sont couvertes par d’autres normes et règlements. Toutefois, les informations données dans le présent document peuvent contribuer à satisfaire à ces normes et règlements.

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

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Mar-2023
• ICS: 35.020 - Information technology (IT) in general
• ICS: 35.110 - Networking
• ICS: 35.160 - Microprocessor systems
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 215 - Electrotechnical aspects of telecommunication equipment
• Drafting Committee: CLC/TC 215 - Electrotechnical aspects of telecommunication equipment
• Current Stage: 6060 - Document made available - Publishing
• Start Date: 31-Mar-2023
• Due Date: 03-May-2023
• Completion Date: 31-Mar-2023
• Mandate: M/462 - Standardisation mandate addressed to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI in the field of ICT to enable efficient energy use in fixed and mobile information and communication networks
• Ref Project: SIST EN 50600-2-4:2023 - Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-4: Telecommunications cabling infrastructure

Relations

• Replaces: EN 50600-2-4:2015 - Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-4: Telecommunications cabling infrastructure
• Effective Date: 26-May-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 50600-2-4:2023
01-junij-2023
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:

Infrastruktur 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 50600-2-4:2023
ICS:
33.040.01 Telekomunikacijski sistemi Telecommunication systems
na splošno in general
35.110 Omreževanje Networking
SIST EN 50600-2-4:2023 en

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2023
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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2023
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 50600-2-4
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM March 2023
ICS 35.110; 35.020; 35.160 Supersedes EN 50600-2-4:2015
English Version
Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures
- Part 2-4: Telecommunications cabling infrastructure

Technologies 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 aux télécommunications Telekommunikationsverkabelung

This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2023-03-20. 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, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the

Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,

Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels

© 2023 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.

Ref. No. EN 50600-2-4:2023 E
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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2023
EN 50600-2-4:2023 (E)
Contents Page

European foreword ...................................................................................................................................... 5

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 6

1 Scope .................................................................................................................................................. 9

2 Normative references........................................................................................................................ 9

3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations ........................................................................................... 10

3.1 Terms and definitions ........................................................................................................................ 10

3.2 Abbreviations ..................................................................................................................................... 14

4 Conformance ................................................................................................................................... 15

5 Telecommunications cabling within the data centre ................................................................... 15

5.1 General .............................................................................................................................................. 15

5.2 Requirements for cabling supporting the IT operations in all data centre spaces ............................. 16

5.3 Requirements for cabling providing distributed building services in all data centre spaces ............. 16

5.4 Requirements for cabling for IT and network telecommunications to and within the computer room

space 17

5.4.1 General ......................................................................................................................... 17

5.4.2 Point-to-point cabling .................................................................................................... 17

5.4.3 Requirements for fixed cabling ..................................................................................... 19

6 Implementation of cabling in accordance with EN 50173-5 ........................................................ 20

6.1 General .............................................................................................................................................. 20

6.2 Functional elements ........................................................................................................................... 20

6.3 Distribution areas and spaces ........................................................................................................... 21

6.3.1 General ......................................................................................................................... 21

6.3.2 Distribution areas .......................................................................................................... 23

6.3.3 Building entrance facility ............................................................................................... 24

6.3.4 Entrance rooms ............................................................................................................ 25

6.4 Infrastructures supporting the functional elements of EN 50173-5 ................................................... 25

6.4.1 General ......................................................................................................................... 25

6.4.2 Pathways and pathway systems for telecommunications cabling ................................ 25

6.4.3 Cabinets, frames and racks for the computer room space ........................................... 26

7 Physical Security ............................................................................................................................. 27

7.1 General .............................................................................................................................................. 27

7.2 Protection against unauthorized access ............................................................................................ 27

7.2.1 Pathways and spaces ................................................................................................... 27

7.2.2 Entrance room .............................................................................................................. 28

7.3 Protection against internal events ..................................................................................................... 28

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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2023

8 Availability classification for the telecommunications cabling infrastructure, infrastructure

elements, facilities and spaces ................................................................................................................ 28

8.1 General .............................................................................................................................................. 28

8.2 Availability design principles for telecommunications cabling infrastructure ..................................... 29

8.3 Overview about the availability classes for telecommunications cabling .......................................... 30

8.4 Availability Class design requirements and recommendations ......................................................... 30

8.4.1 Transmission channel design for the network distribution cabling ............................... 30

8.4.2 Availability Class 1 ........................................................................................................ 31

8.4.3 Availability Class 2 ........................................................................................................ 32

8.4.4 Availability Class 3 ........................................................................................................ 35

8.4.5 Availability Class 4 ........................................................................................................ 38

9 Management and operation of the telecommunications cabling infrastructure ...................... 40

9.1 General .............................................................................................................................................. 40

9.2 Automated infrastructure management systems ............................................................................... 40

Annex A (informative) Design concepts for network distribution cabling ......................................... 41

Annex B (informative) Energy efficiency considerations for the telecommunications cabling

infrastructure ............................................................................................................................................. 50

Annex C (informative) Summary of requirements ................................................................................ 51

Annex D (informative) Examples of telecommunications cabling infrastructures including active

equipment................................................................................................................................................... 53

Annex E (informative) Availability description ...................................................................................... 56

Annex F (normative) Availability Classes for cabling infrastructures in colocation data centres .. 57

Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................... 61

Figures

Figure 1 — Schematic relationship between the EN 50600 series of documents ........................................ 7

Figure 2 — Schematic relationship between the EN 50600-2-4 and other European cabling design and

installation standards ............................................................................................................................. 8

Figure 3 — Impact of growth in an unstructured point-to-point cabling infrastructure ................................ 18

Figure 4 — Structured cabling infrastructure: setup and growth ................................................................. 19

Figure 5 — Functional elements and cabling subsystems of EN 50173-5 ................................................. 21

Figure 6 — Facilities and spaces relevant for cabling according EN 50173-5 ............................................ 22

Figure 7 — Areas providing accommodation for distributors of EN 50173-5 and connected active equipment

.............................................................................................................................................................. 23

Figure 8 — Principle of supply and distribution ........................................................................................... 29

Figure 9 — Transmission channels (interconnect and cross-connect) ....................................................... 31

Figure 10 — Telecommunication cabling Class 1 using direct attached cords ........................................... 32

Figure 11 — Telecommunication cabling Class 1 ....................................................................................... 32

Figure 12 — Telecommunication cabling Class 2 ....................................................................................... 33

Figure 13 — Managing moves, adds and changes ..................................................................................... 34

Figure 14 — Telecommunication cabling Class 3 with one entrance room ................................................ 36

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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2023
EN 50600-2-4:2023 (E)

Figure 15 — Telecommunication cabling Class 3 with two entrance rooms ............................................... 36

Figure 16 — Telecommunication cabling Class 4 ....................................................................................... 39

Figure A.1 — Symbols of network elements ............................................................................................... 41

Figure A.2 — Example of a Class 1 cabling implementation ...................................................................... 42

Figure A.3 — Example for Class 2 EoR cabling implementation ................................................................ 43

Figure A.4 — Example for Class 2 MoR cabling implementation ............................................................... 44

Figure A.5 — Example for Class 2 ToR cabling implementation ................................................................ 45

Figure A.6 — Example for Class 3 EoR cabling implementation ................................................................ 46

Figure A.7 — Example for Class 3 ToR cabling implementation ................................................................ 47

Figure A.8 — Example for Class 4 EoR cabling implementation ................................................................ 48

Figure A.9 — Example for Class 4 ToR cabling implementation ................................................................ 49

Figure D.1 — Example of Availability Class 3 cabling and active equipment with one entrance room ...... 53

Figure D.2 — Example of Availability Class 3 cabling and active equipment with two entrance rooms ..... 54

Figure D.3 — Example of Availability Class 4 cabling and active equipment ............................................. 54

Figure D.4 — Example of Availability Class 3 cabling and active equipment implemented across multiple

floors ..................................................................................................................................................... 55

Figure D.5 — Example of Availability Class 3 cabling and active equipment implemented across multiple

floors ..................................................................................................................................................... 55

Figure F.1 — Telecommunications supply cabling for a single building colocation (AC 3) ........................ 59

Figure F.2 — Telecommunications supply cabling for a single building colocation (AC 4) ........................ 59

Figure F.3 — Telecommunications supply cabling for a multi building colocation (AC 4) .......................... 60

Tables

Table 1 — Telecommunication cabling Availability Classes per space and overall data centre Availability

Class..................................................................................................................................................... 30

Table C.1 — Telecommunications cabling infrastructure requirements per Availability Class ................... 51

Table E.1 — Summary of availability classification ..................................................................................... 56

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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2023
European foreword

This document (EN 50600-2-4:2023) 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) 2024-03-20
implemented at national level by publication of
an identical national standard or by
endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards (dow) 2026-03-20
conflicting with this document have to be
withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 50600-2-4:2015.
The following major modifications have been made compared to EN 50600-2-4:2015:
a) the document structure has been completely revised;
b) the availability classes have been revised;
c) a clause on physical security has been added (Clause 7);

d) Annex C summarizing the requirements and recommendations of the document has been added;

e) Annex D with examples for cabling infrastructures including the location of active equipment has been

added;
f) Annex E with an availability description has been added;

g) Annex F with specific requirements for colocation data centres has been added.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent

rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This document has been prepared under a Standardizaton Request given to CENELEC by the European

Commission and the European Free Trade Association.

Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national committee. A complete

listing of these bodies can be found on the CENELEC website.
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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2023
EN 50600-2-4:2023 (E)
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 usually 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 telecommunications cabling and physical

security as well as the operation of the data centre. Effective management and operational information is

required to monitor achievement of the defined needs and objectives.

Recognizing the substantial resource consumption, particularly of energy, of larger data centres, it is also

important to provide tools for the assessment of that consumption both in terms of overall value and of source

mix and to provide Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to evaluate trends and drive performance

improvements.

At the time of publication of this document, the EN 50600 series is designed as a framework of standards,

technical specifications and technical reports covering the design, the operation and management, the key

performance indicators for energy efficient operation of the data centre as well as a data centre maturity model.

The EN 50600-2 series defines the requirements for the data centre design.

The EN 50600-3 series defines the requirements for the operation and the management of the data centre.

The EN 50600-4 series defines the key performance indicators for the data centre.

The CLC/TS 50600-5 series defines the data centre maturity model requirements and recommendations.

The CLC/TR 50600-99-X Technical Reports cover recommended practices and guidance for specific topics

around data centre operation and design.

This series of documents 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, operators, facility managers, ICT managers, project managers, main contractors;

2) consulting engineers, architects, building designers and builders, system and installation designers,

auditors, test and commissioning agents;
3) facility and infrastructure integrators, suppliers of equipment;
4) installers, maintainers.

At the time of publication of this document, the EN 50600-2 series comprises the following documents:

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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2023

— EN 50600-2-1, Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-1: Building

construction

— CLC/TS 50600-2-10, Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-10:

Earthquake risk and impact analysis

— EN 50600-2-2, Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-2: Power supply

and 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

The inter-relationship of the documents within the EN 50600 series is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 — Schematic relationship between the EN 50600 series of documents

EN 50600-2-X documents specify requirements and recommendations for particular facilities and

infrastructures to support the relevant classification for “availability”, “physical 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.

EN 50600-4-X documents specify requirements and recommendations for key performance indicators (KPIs)

used to assess and improve the resource usage efficiency and effectiveness, respectively, of a data centre.

This document 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).
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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2023
EN 50600-2-4:2023 (E)

This document is intended for use by and collaboration between architects, building designers and builders,

system and installation designers.

This series of documents does not address the selection of information technology and network

telecommunications equipment, software and associated configuration issues.

Figure 2 shows the schematic and contextual relationships of the EN 50600-2-4 with other cabling and cabling

installation related European standards.

Figure 2 — Schematic relationship between the EN 50600-2-4 and other European cabling design and

installation standards

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 systems. 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 organization's effectiveness.
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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2023
1 Scope

This document specifies design principles for information technology and network telecommunications cabling

(e.g. SAN and LAN) in accordance with EN 50173-5, based upon the criteria and classifications for “availability”

and “physical security” within EN 50600-1.

This document addresses the telecommunications cabling infrastructures used in data centres. It describes:

a) for design, the application of generic cabling standards in the EN 50173 series;

b) for installation specification, planning and practices and quality assurance, the application of standards in

the EN 50174 series (and related standards).

In addition, this document specifies requirements and recommendations for the following:

1) general information technology cabling to support the IT operation of the data centre;

2) telecommunications cabling to monitor and control, as appropriate, power distribution, environmental

control and physical security of the data centre;
3) other building automation cabling;

4) pathways, pathway systems, spaces and enclosures for the telecommunications cabling infrastructures.

Safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements are outside the scope of this document and are

covered by other standards and regulations. However, information given in this document can be of assistance

in meeting these standards and regulations.
2 Normative references

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes

requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,

the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

EN 50173-2, Information technology - Generic cabling systems - Part 2: Office spaces

EN 50173-5, Information technology - Generic cabling systems - Part 5: Data centre spaces

EN 50173-6, Information technology - Generic cabling systems - Part 6: Distributed building services

EN 50174-1:2018, Information technology — Cabling installation — Part 1: Installation specification and

quality assurance

EN 50174-2:2018, Information technology - Cabling installation - Part 2: Installation planning and practices

inside buildings

EN 50174-3, Information technology - Cabling installation - Part 3: Installation planning and practices outside

buildings
EN 50310, Telecommunications bonding networks for buildings and other structures

EN 50600-1:2019, 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
———————
As amended by EN 50174-1:2018/A1:2020.
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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2023
EN 50600-2-4:2023 (E)

EN 50600-2-2, Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-2: Power supply and

distribution

EN 50600-2-3, Information technology - Data centre facilities and infrastructures - Part 2-3: Environmental

control

EN 50600-2-5, Information technology — Data centre facilities and infrastructures — Part 2-5: Security

systems
3 Terms, definitions and abbreviations
3.1 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions of EN 50600-1 and the following apply.

ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:

— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
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
building entrance facility

facility that provides all necessary mechanical and electrical services for the entry of telecommunications

cables into a building and which can enable transition from outdoor to indoor cable

[SOURCE: EN 50173-1:2018, 3.1.18]
3.1.3
cabinet

enclosed construction for housing closures and other information technology equipment

3.1.4
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 configuration of an MD and/or an ID in accordance with the cabling of EN 50173-5.

3.1.5
cross-connect
passive connection between cabling subsystems using a patch cord or jumper
[SOURCE: EN 50173-1:2018, 3.1.35]
3.1.6
customer space

part of a cabinet, a cabinet, a cage or a computer room in a colocation data centre that customers can rent to

host their IT
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SIST EN 50600-2-4:2023
3.1.7
entrance room

space that houses the external telecommunications provider equipment and that provides the demarcation

points for the external telecommunications services
3.1.8
equipment
...