For years, the Raritan Dominion SX II has been a dependable, workhorse serial console server for network administrators across Australia. It provided reliable, secure, out-of-band (OOB) access to critical IT infrastructure when primary networks failed.
However, technology marches on. Due to component lifecycle constraints and a strategic realignment toward their core KVM offerings, Legrand has officially announced the End-of-Life (EOL) and discontinuation of the Raritan Dominion SX II product line. If your organisation relies on these devices to maintain uptime in complex, mission-critical environments, it is time to map out your migration strategy.
Understanding the EOL Milestones
When a cornerstone piece of infrastructure faces retirement, a reactive approach introduces unnecessary operational risk. Legrand has outlined a clear timeline to help engineering teams transition gracefully:
- June 2, 2025 – End-of-Life Announcement: The public notification that commenced the discontinuation process.
- December 31, 2025 – Last Order/Sale Date (LOD): The final date on which purchase orders could be placed for the affected SX II models.
- December 31, 2027 – End of Support Date (EOS): The definitive final milestone. After this date, engineering and technical support services under warranty or service contracts will cease entirely.
The Bottom Line: While your current SX II units will continue to route traffic, operating them past 2027 means navigating potential hardware failures or software vulnerabilities without a safety net from vendor support.
The Recommended Migration Path: ZPE Systems Nodegrid
To ensure customers aren’t left stranded, Legrand has established a direct, highly upgraded transition path. The Dominion SX II line is being replaced by ZPE Systems’ Nodegrid Serial Console product line. Far from a simple “like-for-like” swap, migrating to Nodegrid unlocks a modern, future-ready platform engineered for contemporary security and performance requirements.
Key Advantages of Moving to Nodegrid:
- Secure and Modern Linux-Based OS: Operates on an open, robust platform designed to meet today’s strict compliance and hardening standards.
- Integrated 5G Modems: Internal support for 5G modems eliminates the need for messy external cellular cradles, future-proofing your remote site connectivity.
- Automatic Port Detection: Simplifies installation and tech refreshes by automatically detecting DTE/DCE signals, baud speeds, and hostnames. No more pinout headaches.
- Modern Authentication & Security: Integrated support for SAML2, TOTP, OpenVPN, IPSec, and WireGuard ensures that your management plane remains tightly locked down.
- Unrivalled Model Flexibility: Offers a broad hardware array spanning 8 to 96 serial ports, including USB serial ports, network ports, and highly scalable modular variations.
The Mapping Matrix: Finding Your Replacement
ZPE Systems has meticulously aligned its Nodegrid portfolio to map directly to your existing Raritan footprint, ensuring an explicit upgrade path:
| Legacy Raritan Dominion SX II Model | Suggested ZPE Nodegrid Replacement | Key Hardware Upgrades |
| DSX2-4 / DSX2-8 (4 or 8 Ports) |
ZPE Nodegrid Bold SR (ZPE-BSR-24-BASE) |
8x RJ45 Serial, 5x GbE ports, Intel 64-bit CPU, 4GB RAM, 32GB SLC flash storage. |
| DSX2-8+4G / DSX2-16+4G (Built-in 4G Cellular) |
Nodegrid Bold SR 5G / Console Plus 5G (ZPE-BSR-24-5G / ZPE-NSCP-T16R-CORE-DAC-5G) |
Direct upgrade from legacy 4G to built-in, lightning-fast 5G LTE (CAT20) connectivity. |
| DSX2-16 / DSX2-32 / DSX2-48 (16, 32, or 48 Ports) |
Nodegrid Serial Console Plus – Core Edition (16R, 32R, or 48R Core DAC) |
Cisco Rolled pinouts, 4-Core CPU, 4GB RAM, 32GB SSD, 2x SFP+ (10GbE fiber support), dual AC power. |
Migrating Without Disruptions: How Touchpoint Can Help
Ripping and replacing OOB infrastructure in classified, highly regulated, or complex environments can feel daunting. Fortunately, Nodegrid Manager (NGM) allows you to manage your legacy Raritan SX II units alongside your new ZPE devices from a single pane of glass during the rollout, completely eliminating deployment downtime.
As an established partner with both Raritan and ZPE Systems, Touchpoint has a proven track record of supplying and sustaining critical ICT solutions across the Australian public sector, defence, and commercial enterprise environments. We understand the exact logistical, security (ISM alignment), and lifecycle challenges involved in these transitions.
Our team can assist you with:
- Footprint Auditing: Identifying which legacy Raritan units in your fleet are nearing end-of-support.
- Architectural Mapping: Pairing your exact environmental requirements with the correct modular ZPE Nodegrid equivalent.
- Procurement & Staging: Leveraging your secure supply chain and vendor relationships to ensure seamless delivery.
Don’t wait until the December 2027 support cliff to future-proof your out-of-band network.
Ready to start your migration?
If you would like to explore trade-in opportunities, review technical datasheets, or discuss how Touchpoint can support your specific environment, contact the Touchpoint team today at 02 8424 3500 or reach out online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Raritan Dominion SX II being discontinued?
Legrand officially announced the End-of-Life (EOL) for the Raritan Dominion SX II product line due to component lifecycle constraints and a strategic realignment of the Raritan brand toward KVM infrastructure solutions. Moving forward, Legrand’s out-of-band (OOB) serial console portfolio is consolidated under the ZPE Systems Nodegrid product line.
What is the final End of Support date for the Raritan Dominion SX II?
The definitive End of Support (EOS) date for the Raritan Dominion SX II is December 31, 2027. After this milestone, all engineering and technical support services under warranty or service contracts will cease entirely, making it critical to migrate to a supported platform before this support cliff.
What is the recommended replacement for the Raritan SX II console server?
The recommended replacement path for the Raritan Dominion SX II is the ZPE Systems Nodegrid Serial Console product line. ZPE Systems (a brand of Legrand) has built an upgraded hardware matrix that directly matches or exceeds the port density, connectivity options, and security features of legacy Raritan units.
What are the main benefits of upgrading from Raritan SX II to ZPE Nodegrid?
Upgrading to ZPE Systems Nodegrid introduces modern enterprise enhancements that legacy Raritan systems lack:
- Built-in 5G Cellular: Internal support for 5G modems eliminates external cradles and future-proofs remote site connectivity.
- Auto-Sensing Ports: Automatically detects DTE/DCE signals, baud speeds, and hostnames to simplify tech refreshes.
- Advanced Security: Operates on a modern Linux-based OS with integrated support for SAML2, TOTP, OpenVPN, and WireGuard.
- High Scalability: Modular hardware profiles spanning from 8 up to 96 serial ports.
Can I manage my existing Raritan devices alongside new ZPE Nodegrid consoles?
Yes, you can manage both legacy Raritan Dominion SX II units and new ZPE hardware simultaneously using Nodegrid Manager (NGM). Nodegrid Manager can be deployed as hardware or a virtual machine, providing a single pane of glass for out-of-band administration and allowing organisations to phase their migration without operational downtime.
How can Touchpoint assist Australian organisations with the Raritan to ZPE migration?
As an established partner of both Raritan and ZPE Systems, Touchpoint specializes in secure lifecycle transitions within complex, highly regulated environments, including the Australian public sector and defence. Touchpoint actively reduces migration risk by providing local fleet auditing, architecture mapping to the correct ZPE hardware, secure supply chain procurement, and staged environment deployment.