FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About ZTE C600 Optical Line Terminal

Introduction

The ZTE C600 series is a high-density, next-generation Optical Line Terminal (OLT) designed for FTTx networks, offering both GPON and XG(S)-PON coexistence in a compact chassis. Widely deployed by Tier-1 carriers, it supports up to 16 service slots and features redundant power and fan modules for carrier-grade reliability. Below are the most frequently asked technical and commercial questions from network engineers and procurement teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What PON technologies does the ZTE C600 support, and can GPON and XG-PON coexist on the same chassis?

A1: The ZTE C600 supports GPON, XG-PON, XGS-PON, and Combo PON (GPON+XGS-PON on a single port). Yes, using the same backplane, you can mix PON interface cards—like the GPHF for GPON and XPHF for XG(S)-PON—in different slots. Combo PON cards allow both technologies on the same PON port, enabling smooth migration.

Q2: What are the key hardware specifications of the ZTE C600 chassis?

A2: The C600 has a 6U height, 19-inch rack-mountable form factor, with 16 service slots plus two dedicated slots for main control switching boards (SCUN). Typical power consumption ranges from 600W to 1500W depending on card population. It supports -48V DC input, with optional AC power modules. Switching capacity can reach up to 1.28 Tbit/s.

Q3: Which ONU/ONT models are compatible with ZTE C600?

A3: The C600 works seamlessly with ZTE’s own ONT series (e.g., F600, F660, F680, F689, and XGPON variants). For third-party ONUs, interoperability depends on the software version and GPON OMCI compatibility. We strongly recommend using ZTE ONTs for full management and TR-069 remote configuration. Contact your ZTE account manager for the latest compatibility matrix.

Q4: How do I calculate the required number of PON cards and upstream ports for a given subscriber density?

A4: Each GPON card (e.g., GPHF) typically provides 16 PON ports, supporting up to 128 ONTs per port (but 64 is common for QoS). So one card can serve ~1024 subscribers. For upstream, each SCUN control board offers 4x10GE SFP+ uplinks. Use link aggregation (LACP) for redundancy. Rule of thumb: for 4,000 subscribers, deploy 4x GPON cards + 2x SCUN boards with 4 aggregated 10GE uplinks.

Q5: What are the typical lead times and pricing for ZTE C600 components in 2025?

A5: Lead times average 4–8 weeks for the chassis and control boards, and 2–4 weeks for PON interface cards. Pricing (B2B, volume discounts apply): chassis ~$2,500–$4,000; SCUN board ~$1,200–$2,000; GPHF (16-port GPON) ~$1,000–$1,600; XPHF (16-port XGS-PON) ~$2,500–$3,800. Power modules and fans are sold separately (~$300 each). Contact authorized distributors like ZTE themselves, Hirschmann, or local value-added resellers.

Q6: Does the ZTE C600 support redundant power and hot-swappable modules?

A6: Yes, the C600 chassis supports 1+1 power redundancy with dual power slots. Both AC and DC power modules are hot-swappable. All service interface cards, fan trays, and control boards (SCUN) are also hot-swappable. The control boards can operate in active-standby mode with stateful synchronization (hitless failover) for sub-50ms protection.

Q7: How do I upgrade the software or recover a bricked ZTE C600?

A7: Use ZTE’s NetNumen U31 EMS (Element Management System) for remote firmware upgrades. The recommended process: upload the new image to both SCUN boards, set the next boot image, then reboot. For recovery, the C600 supports XMODEM over the console port and a TFTP bootstrap. If the primary image is corrupted, interrupt the bootloader (Ctrl+C) and load a rescue image via TFTP. Always backup running-config before any upgrade.