Sonnet Echo Express SE III User Manual

User’s Guide

For
Windows

for Echo™ Express SE III

™

Thunderbolt

3 to PCI Express® 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 SE III link, and then click the

Documentation link.

5. Click the Echo Express SE III User’s Guide [English] link and

then check the Document Version information. If the version
listed is later than this document (revision B), click the
Download Now button for the latest version.

Contents

1 Introduction and System Requirements 1

Introduction
Mac Compatibility
Windows 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

2 Echo Express SE III Description 2

Echo Express SE III Extererior
Echo Express SE III Inner Assembly
Power Adapter and Cord
Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) Cable
Thunderbolt Connector Retainer Clip

3 PCIe Card Installation and Chassis Setup Steps 5

4 Complete Setup and Configuration 8

Setup and Configuration Steps—Mac Users

Setup and Configuration Steps—Windows Users

5 Tips, General Information, and Known Issues 10

Tips, General Information
Known Issues

6 Saftety Precautions, FCC Compliance, and Support Information 11

Safety Precautions
FCC Compliance
Contacting Customer Service
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Chapter 1 – Introduction and System Requirements

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase! The Echo Express SE III is
a Thunderbolt 3 expansion system for PCIe cards. Through its
PCIe slots, you may connect three adapter cards to any Mac
Windows
capabilities and add connectivity beyond what’s offered through
its native ports.

®

computer with Thunderbolt 3 ports to expand its

®

or

Mac Compatibility

• Macs with Thunderbolt 3 ports

• Macs with Thunderbolt 2 or Thunderbolt ports and Apple
Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter (sold
separately)

®

• macOS
macOS High Sierra compatible

10.12.6+

Windows Compatibility

• PCs with Thunderbolt 3 ports

• 64-bit editions of Windows 10, Version 1703 (Creator’s Update)
or newer

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

System Requirements

While the Echo Express SE III 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
Echo Express SE III is available at: http://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
1703 or newer (also called the Creator’s Update). 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.

1

Chapter 2 – Echo Express SE III Description

Echo Express SE III Exterior
1 – Power Indicator

This lights when the Echo Express
SE III is powered, the Thunderbolt
cable between the Echo 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 devices
connected between the computer and
Echo chassis must also be powered
on before the Echo chassis’ power
indicator will light up.

2 – Thunderbolt 3 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 or adapter).

3 – 12V DC Socket

Connect the included DC power
adapter between this socket and the
included power cord.

2

Chapter 2 – Echo Express SE III Description

Echo Express SE III Inner Assembly
1 – Fan

The temperature-controlled fan
provides cooling for the installed PCIe
cards and the chassis’ supporting
Thunderbolt circuitry. It operates
quietly when the card is running cool,
and automatically speeds up in steps
as the temperature rises. Do not block
the vent holes on the front or back of
the chassis to prevent overheating.

2 – PCIe Slot 1

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

3 – PCIe Slot 2

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

4 – PCIe Slot 3

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

5 – Thunderbolt 3 Interface Card

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

6 – Port Access Covers

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

3