Sonnet Technologies Echo Express SEL - Manual (Page 12)

Chapter 5 – Tips, General Information, and Known Issues
KNOWN ISSUES
Not all PCIe Cards Will Perform at 100%
Thunderbolt 2’s PCIe bandwidth is limited to 20Gbps. While
most cards will operate at full performance, some may not due
to the fact they require more bandwidth than Thunderbolt 2 is
capable of supporting.
OS X Updates May Break Compatibility
Specific device drivers that work under one version of OS X
may not work under a later version. Before updating to the
latest OS, we recommend that you contact your PCIe card’s
manufacturer to verify that the existing drivers work. Note
that other software updates for the computer may also break
compatibility.
Some Devices’ Performance May be Affected by Where They
Are Connected in a Thunderbolt Chain
However small, Thunderbolt introduces latency to a device chain.
If you expand with additional Thunderbolt expansion chassis,
you may need to experiment with which cards work better in
chassis closer to or farther from the computer in the chain
TIPS, GENERAL INFORMATION
Keeping the Card Cool
With its optimized airflow design and temperature-controlled
fan providing cooling at all times, Echo Express SEL provides
adequate cooling for the installed card. Do not operate the Echo
Express SEL with its cover off, and do not block any of the vents!
Otherwise, the installed card and Echo Express SEL’s components
may overheat.
Hot Plugging the Echo Express SEL Expansion Chassis
When a certified Thunderbolt-compatible card (used with
Thunderbolt-compatible drivers) is installed in the Echo Express
SEL, you may connect and disconnect the chassis while the
computer is on. Of course, if you have anything connected to
the card, such as storage devices, cameras, etc., follow proper
procedures for disconnecting those devices before unplugging the
Echo Express SEL chassis.
There’s No Need to Unplug the Power Adapter
Because Echo Express SEL automatically powers on and off with
the computer to which it’s connected, there’s no power switch,
nor is there any need to disconnect the power cable under
normal use.
Power Indicator Operation
Because the Echo Express SEL chassis automatically powers on
and off with the computer to which it’s connected, its power
indicator only lights when the computer is on, and turns off
when the computer is sleeping or powered off. Note that the
power adapter’s power indicator remains lit as long as it is
connected to a live power outlet.
Connecting Additional Thunderbolt Devices
You may connect up to six Thunderbolt devices total in a daisy
chain, including the Apple Thunderbolt Display.
Using Expansion Cards Without Drivers
Some Thunderbolt-compatible expansion cards, like Sonnet’s
Presto
™ Gigabit Pro PCIe and Sonnet’s Tempo ™ SATA Pro 6Gb
PCIe 2.0 eSATA card, use drivers built into the OS.
Some PCIe Cards May Not Fit in Echo Express SEL
Cards installed into Echo Express SEL must be no more than 6.6
inches (16.76 cm) long, and must have a low-profile PCIe card
bracket attached.
Replacing a Card After Initial Installation
Shut down the computer, and then disconnect the power adapter
and Thunderbolt cables from the Echo Express SEL before
disassembling the chassis and replacing the card.
PCIe CARDS ARE NOT HOT-PLUGGABLE!
Never install a PCIe card into Echo Express SEL while it is
connected to a computer or power outlet! If you do, you risk
injury, and damage to the card, chassis, and computer.
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