[en] The stellarator W7-X is presently under construction at Greifswald, Germany and the start of operation is scheduled in 2006. Important aims of this experiment are the studies of energy and particle exhaust under quasi-stationary conditions and the development of a reactor relevant divertor system. In extreme scenarios particle fluxes up to 1x10²² particles/second and heat fluxes up to 10 MW have to be continuously removed by the divertor components of W7-X. Corresponding to the modular design and the five identical magnetic field periods this machine will be equipped with ten divertor units arranged toroidally along the helical edge. In a first step an open divertor configuration will be explored. The divertor equipment, consisting of target plates, baffle plates, cryo-pumps and control coils guarantees a large experimental flexibility and can accommodate the entire i-range, different island sizes and positions and even an ergodized boundary layer. Moreover it allows proofs of particular scenarios, including operation with radiative boundaries with high plasma densities for which the stellarator provides favourable conditions. Successful quasi stationary high density operation with a similar open divertor arrangement has recently been demonstrated in the presently operated stellarator W7-AS. Copyright (2002) Australian National University- Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering