Sonnet Echo Express III-D Thunderbolt 3 Edition User Manual

User’s Guide

for Echo™ Express III-D — Thunderbolt™ 3 Edition

3

Thunderbolt

to PCIe Card Expansion Chassis

Support Note: This document was up to date at the

time of printing. However, changes to the hardware or
software may have occurred since then. Please check the Sonnet
website for the latest documentation.

1. Go to www.sonnettech.com/support/kb/kb.php

2. Click the Thunderbolt Product link.

3. Click the Echo Express III-D – Thunderbolt 3 Edition link, and

then click the Manual link.

4. Click the Echo Express III-D – Thunderbolt 3 Edition User’s Guide

[English] link and then check the Document Version information.
If the version listed is later than this document (revision F), click
the Download Now button for the latest version.

Contents

1 Introduction and System Requirements 1

Introduction
Mac Compatibility
Windows Compatibility
Linux Compatibility
System Requirements
Preparing to Use the Echo Express Chassis With a Mac Computer
Preparing to Use the Echo Express Chassis With a Windows Computer
Preparing to Use the Echo Express Chassis With a Linux Computer

2 Echo Express III-D – Thunderbolt 3 Edition (T3E) Description 2

Exterior
Outer Case
Inner Assembly
Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) Cable
Thunderbolt 3 Connector Retainer Clip

3 PCIe Card Installation and Chassis Setup Steps 4

4 Complete Setup and Configuration 7

Setup and Configuration Steps—Mac Users

Setup and Configuration Steps—Windows Users

5 Tips, General Information, and Known Issues 9

Tips, General Information
Known Issues

6 Precautions, FCC Compliance, and Support Information 10

Safety Precautions
Warnings
FCC Compliance
Contacting Customer Service
Visit Our Website

A BNC Connector Installation Steps A

Chapter 1 – Introduction and System Requirements

ECHO EXPRESS III-D

ECHO EXPRESS III-D

405.1

15.95

258.5

10.18

97.1

3.82

ECHO EXPRESS III-D SIDE VIEW

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase! The Echo Express III-D –
Thunderbolt 3 Edition (T3E) is a Thunderbolt 3 expansion system
for PCIe cards. Through its PCIe slots, you may connect three
non-GPU adapter cards to any computer with Thunderbolt 3 ports
to expand its capabilities and add connectivity beyond what’s
offered through its native ports.

Mac® Compatibility

• Macs with Thunderbolt 3 ports

• Macs with Thunderbolt 2 or Thunderbolt ports via an Apple
Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter plus
Thunderbolt cable (both sold separately)

®

• macOS

• macOS Mojave compatible

10.12.6+

Windows® Compatibility

• PCs with Thunderbolt 3 ports

• Windows 10 (64-bit Edition Version 1809 or greater)

Important Note: Windows computers require the latest BIOS
and Thunderbolt drivers to support this product. Check with
your computer manufacturer for update information.

Linux® Compatibility

• Linux computer with Thunderbolt 3 ports

• Linux Kernel 5.0+

System Requirements

While Echo Express expansion systems requires no drivers,
most expansion cards you install do; Thunderbolt-compatible
drivers to enable them to work properly through the Thunderbolt
interface are required. More information on which cards are
compatible with the Echo Express III-D T3E is available at:
https://sonnettech.com/support

Preparing to Use the Echo Express Chassis With a
Mac Computer

The drivers required to support the Echo Express chassis are
installed as part of macOS; there are no preparation steps beyond
updating your computer to macOS 10.12.6 or newer.

Preparing to Use the Echo Express Chassis With a
Windows Computer

1. Update Windows. You must use Windows 10, 64-Bit Ver sion
1809 or newer. To check the version number, type winver in

the search bar and click enter.

2. Update your computer’s BIOS to the latest version. If you
need help updating your BIOS, contact your computer
manufacturer.

3. Update your Thunderbolt Bus Driver to the latest version;
you will need version 16.3.61.275 or newer. To check
your driver version, go to Settings:Apps:Thunderbolt(TM)
Software and you will see the version number. If it is not

16.3.61.275 or newer, then you need to update it. Check with
your computer manufacturer for an update.

Preparing to Use the Echo Express Chassis With a
Linux Computer

The drivers required to support the Echo Express chassis are
installed as part of Linux Kernel 5.0 and later; there are no
preparation steps beyond updating your computer to Linux Kernel

5.0 or later.

1

Chapter 2 – Echo Express III-D – Thunderbolt 3 Edition (T3E) Description

1 – Power Indicator LED

This indicator lights when the Echo Express III-D T3E is
powered, the Thunderbolt cable between the chassis and your
computer is plugged in securely, and the computer powered
on. Note that if the Echo chassis is connected to another
Thunderbolt device instead of directly to the computer, any
other Thunderbolt device connected between the computer
and Echo chassis must also be powered on before the Echo
chassis’ power indicator will light up.

2 – BNC Connector Mounting Holes

These accommodate the installation of BNC connectors
like those used for HD/SDI output for the RED ROCKET-X
transcoding card, or for MADI and word clock input and
output from cards like RME’s HDSPe MADI FX.

3 – Power Input Socket

Connect the included AC power cable here.

4 – Threaded Nuts for ThunderLok 3

Attach the included Thunderbolt connector retainer clip here.
Also compatible with ThunderLok 3L.

5 – Thunderbolt Ports

Connect the included Thunderbolt cable, or comparable
Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) cable, between either port and your
computer’s Thunderbolt port (or other Thunderbolt device in
the chain connected to the computer).

The second port may be used to connect to another
Thunderbolt peripheral device, display(s), or USB device
(when connected with the proper cable).

2

Chapter 2 – Echo Express III-D – Thunderbolt 3 Edition (T3E) Description

Outer Case
Temperature-Controlled Fans

These provide cooling for the installed PCIe cards and
the chassis’ supporting Thunderbolt circuitry. They
operate at a whisper when the cards are running cool,
and automatically speed up in steps as the temperature
rises. Do not block the fans or the vent holes on the
front or back of the chassis to prevent overheating.

Inner Assembly
1 – PCIe Card Bracket Locking Plate

This secures installed PCIe cards and port access
covers in place.

2 – Port Access Covers

These cover openings in the chassis when PCIe
slots are unoccupied.

3 – Slot 1

This is an x8 electrical (x8 mechanical) PCIe 3.0 slot.
It is also compatible with PCIe 2.0 and 1.1 cards.

4 – Slot 2

This is an x8 electrical (x16 mechanical) PCIe 3.0
slot. It is also compatible with PCIe 2.0 and 1.1
cards.

5 – Slot 3

This is an x4 electrical (x8 mechanical) PCIe 3.0 slot.
It is also compatible with PCIe 2.0 and 1.1 cards.

6 – Thunderbolt Interface Card

This card is installed in its own slot and may not be
moved to another slot.

7 – 6-Pin Auxilliary Power Connector

Plugged into this connector is the auxiliary power
cable for cards requiring extra power.

8 – PCIe Card Guides

When installing full-length cards, use these to
support and secure the cards.

9 – Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) Cable

Connect this cable between the Echo chassis and
your computer (or other Thunderbolt device in the
chain connected to the computer). Connecting the
Echo chassis to a computer port marked with the
USB icon (

10– Thunderbolt 3 Connector Retainer Clip

This clip secures the Thunderbolt 3 connector
plugged into one of the Echo chassis’ Thunderbolt
3 ports to prevent accidental cable disconnection.
This clip is compatible with Sonnet 0.5- and 0.7­meter Thunderbolt 3 cables, but not with Sonnet
1- or 2-meter Thunderbolt 3 cables.

) is NOT supported.

3