Thunderbolt expansion chassis.

[thephil]

Hi y'all.

Any idea when these are going to be released? Seems like forever since magma and Sonnett announced their pcie boxes.

I really wanna upgrade the studio computer to an iMac, not a Mac pro.

[nst7]

I called them recently. Magma says the end of March, and Sonnet says the end of April. But I wouldn't hold them to it.

[cowrange]

http://www.sonnettech.com/product/ra...nixserver.html

Wonder if this will work with a HD Native card. Would make for a tidy mobile setup.

[nst7]

Probably, but it's not out yet either, I'm pretty sure.

[DarylG]

Originally Posted by cowrange

http://www.sonnettech.com/product/ra...nixserver.html

Wonder if this will work with a HD Native card. Would make for a tidy mobile setup.

Unlikely to work on OSX, as it would need special drivers.

D

[the dude]

Originally Posted by DarylG

Unlikely to work on OSX, as it would need special drivers.

D

Why the expansion slot is thunderbolt driven in this box
So would this need a special driver and the external expansion chassis box not need one

So yes if and when it comes out it should indeed function with a the native card

All it is,is a rack mount for a macmini

[DarylG]

Originally Posted by the dude

Why the expansion slot is thunderbolt driven in this box
So would this need a special driver and the external expansion chassis box not need one

So yes if and when it comes out it should indeed function with a the native card

All it is,is a rack mount for a macmini

As far as I remember from reading the specs, support is built into Windows OS for cards put into the chassis, but OSX doesn't allow this (I didn't understand the reasons why). Long story short, to be used in OSX the card manufacturer will have to provide drivers for the card to work in this chassis.

I'll try to find the details of where this is explained, and post a link so that you can read it for yourself.

D

[the dude]

You realize this product is OSX only?
You realize that current thunderbolt is built as a PCIe 2 bus...
So it is seamless and not requiring an addition layer of drivers just to use
It has The built in thuderbolt PCIe functionality so only driver needed is for the OEM card going in that slot


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbolt_(interface)

Thunderbolt combines PCI Express and DisplayPort into a serial data interface that can be carried over longer and less costly cables. Thunderbolt driver chips fold the data from these two sources together, and split them back apart again for consumption within the devices

[The golfer]

From Magma website:

Mac OS X

For MacOS, a driver modification is required from the PCIe card provider. A MacOS driver that is “Thunderbolt Aware” is required so the PCIe hardware will be recognized by MacOS through Thunderbolt™ Technology. Magma is working with a comprehensive list of 3rd Party Development Partners to pre-qualify solutions while each company works towards providing Thunderbolt Aware drivers. As Thunderbolt Aware drivers are made available we will update this list.

http://www.magma.com/thunderbolt.asp

[DarylG]

Originally Posted by the dude

You realize this product is OSX only?
You realize that current thunderbolt is built as a PCIe 2 bus...
So it is seamless and not requiring an addition layer of drivers just to use
It has The built in thuderbolt PCIe functionality so only driver needed is for the OEM card going in that slot


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbolt_(interface)

How do you know it's OSX only? Have you tested it in Windows?

I'm sorry that you don't agree with me, but I was thinking about using a Mac Mini in my new mobile rig, so I did a lot of reading. In any case, the device we're talking about doesn't exist yet, so things may change by the time it does.

D