Overview

Welcome to the expert FAQ on the ZTE ZXA10 C320 Optical Line Terminal (OLT), a compact 2U platform widely deployed for GPON, XGS-PON, and EPON access networks. This guide addresses the most critical pre-sales and post-sales technical questions, from third-party Wi-Fi 6 ONU compatibility to detailed CLI configuration and hardware failover. The ZTE C320 OLT is a staple for network architects, and understanding its capabilities—including its backplane capacity, line-rate forwarding, and redundancy mechanisms—is essential for seamless network integration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can a ZTE C320 OLT manage third-party Wi-Fi 6 ONTs seamlessly?

Seamless management is generally not supported. While basic GPON framing complies with ITU-T G.984 standards, full interoperability requires ZTE-proprietary OMCI for features like DBA profiles, firmware upgrades, and VLAN mapping; using non-ZTE ONUs in production often leads to provisioning failures unless custom interoperability code is obtained from ZTE support .

Q2: What is the maximum switching capacity and backplane throughput of the ZTE C320?

The ZTE C320 OLT features a switching capacity of up to 84 Gbit/s and a backplane capacity of 420 Gbit/s . This supports a maximum of 4,096 GPON subscribers per chassis, enabling high-density deployment for FTTx networks.

Q3: What is the basic CLI configuration process for a new ZTE C320 OLT?

Initial configuration involves connecting via Telnet to the default IP (136.1.1.100) and defining the chassis type. The sequence includes: 1) `conf t`, `set-pnp enable`; 2) `add-rack rackno 1 racktype C320Rack`; 3) `add-shelf rackno 1 shelfno 1 shelftype C320_SHELF`; and 4) configuring the management IP on the `mng1` interface .

Q4: How does the hardware redundancy system work on the C320, and how do I troubleshoot power failover?

Hardware redundancy is supported via dual main control cards (e.g., 2x SMXA) and redundant power supplies (AC/DC) for high availability. To troubleshoot failover, check the status of the standby card using the CLI command `show card`; if the standby does not take over, verify power supply health and synchronization status via `show power` and `show environment` to ensure both modules are operational .

Q5: What optical transceiver and SFP compatibility does the ZTE C320 support?

The C320 supports standard SFP/SFP+ modules for uplink and PON interfaces, with support for B+ (28 dB) and C+ (32 dB) optics for distances up to 60 km . However, while third-party transceivers may physically fit, full OLT-level authentication and management often require vendor-certified optics to ensure reliable link negotiation.

Q6: What are the differences between the ZTE C320 and previous OLT generations like the C300?

The C320 is a compact 2U platform with a 420 Gbit/s backplane, whereas the C300 is larger (10U) but offers a much higher 6.4 Tbit/s backplane, designed for significantly greater density and scaling in central office deployments . The C320 focuses on space-saving without compromising essential service support.