atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums TDM Business Telephone Systems Mitel Telephones & Systems SX2000 vs SX-200

I've worked on a number of SX-200, SX-50 and such small Mitels. Now I have an opportunity to support a client with multiple Mitel 2000 systems.

I'd appreciate any input as to the level of difficulty this system represents vs. the older/smaller Mitel systems? (My background is 30+ years ranging from 1A2 to new VoIP/TDM products.)

I'll do a site survey next week. Are there any gotcha's that I shoud be looking for?

Thanks for the assistance.

You know the 200 light/ml/el & 200 Digital ??

Sx-2000 is the big brother of the 200. Programming is completely different, but the cases look similar to the 200 D/L (i.e. LW15/16, not EL (LW17+)).

Cards have more ports and PLIDs count differently. It uses a command-line programming, more like a definity. 2000 is intended for more than 672 ports.

One "gotcha" is that the 2000 may or may not have redundant HDDs and/or redundant power supplies. Examine the hardware carefully. Also, some of them used to backup and restore from a peculiar type of drive, not tape and not optical, can't recall what it was called.

There are commands to sync the redundant HDDs -- make sure that you're syncing the newer onto the older. It's worthwhile to run a backup before doing anything in terms of MACs.

Like the 200, there is an ID chip on the processor board. It's very good to know this number. Mitel used to require it before permitting any upgrades (i.e. LW 29-> LW30), but now that the 3300 is out, Mitel is pushing everyone to upgrade to the new platform.

The 2000 is a very hearty platform. I've seen good 2000s running after literally falling off of a truck. When I worked for Baypoint Innovations* (formerly Centigram CPE) we had one bay on the corporate switch that literally could not have cards added because of a bent frame. It was rumored to have "fallen off of a truck" in every sense of the term. But the switch was nearly bulletproof. Zero unplanned downtime while I was there.

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* Baypoint, developers of the NuPoint Messenger and the OnePoint Messenger, was at that time a division of Mitel. After the release of OPM 2.0, which was, ah, how shall we say, "not well received," - *ahem* - Mitel closed the division, and took over all further development of NuPoint Messenger, which Baypoint was sunsetting in favor of OPM.

NPM operates on the QNX/Linux platform, and is far more stable. Mitel continued development and support of NPM, with considerable success.

PM sent!

Thanks for the responses.

Kxtvet, let me clarify. I know the 200 digital reasonable well for basic applications. Would probably have some questions if a complex app came up. No experience yet on the light/ml/el series.

I've done command line programming for Meridian 1 and others. Obviously the syntax will be different for Mitel, but hopefully the concepts are similar.

If you know the 200 Digital then you should have no problems with the Light/ML/EL since the programming is the same. The 2000 also programs via menus, it is the maintenance that you need to know the commands for. I much prefer dealing with the SX2000 over the 200 expecially if it is a redundant control system.

If you haven't already see if you can get your hands on a ring bound paper Technicians Handbook for the ml/el/light, icp and 2000 or download ahead of time they are life saver !!

Thanks for the insights. Fortunately I have a week to do my advance research. What a luxury that is!