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KNOWN ISSUES

Not all PCIe Cards Will Perform at 100%

 

Thunderbolt’s PCIe bandwidth is limited to 10 Gb/s. 
While many cards will operate at full performance, some 
may not due to the fact they require more bandwidth 
than Thunderbolt is capable of delivering

Software Updates May Break Compatibility

 

Specific device drivers that work under one version of OS X may 
not work under a later version.
 It is even possible that an OS 
X update may break compatibility. Before updating to the 
latest drivers or OS version
, we recommend that you contact 
your PCIe cards’ manufacturers to verify that the existing 
drivers work, and check online forums for reports of issues 
with the latest OS update 

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 or farther to the 
Mac mini in the chain 

TIPS

Cooling xMac mini Server 2H and Everything Inside It

 

With its optimized airflow design and four temperature-
controlled fans providing adequate cooling at all times, 
xMac mini Server 2H may be installed anywhere in a rack. 
Do not block any of the vents! Otherwise, the Mac mini, 
installed cards, and xMac mini Server 2H’s components 
may overheat

Connecting Additional Thunderbolt Devices

 

You may connect up to five additional Thunderbolt 
devices in a daisy chain to xMac mini Server 2H, 
including the Apple Thunderbolt Display

Using Expansion Cards Without Drivers

 

Some Thunderbolt-compatible expansion cards, like 
Sonnet’s Allegro

 FW800 PCIe FireWire

®

 adapter and 

Sonnet’s Tempo

 SATA Pro 6Gb eSATA cards, use drivers 

built into the OS. Cards listed as Thunderbolt-compatible, 
but stating “no drivers required” fall into this category

Some PCIe Cards May Not Fit

 

Cards installed into either slot must be no more than 6.9 
inches (17.5 cm) long

Replacing Cards or Adding Cards After Initial 
Installation

 

If you decide to replace or add a card to xMac mini 
Server 2H after the initial setup installation, shut down 
the system and disconnect power to it before installing 
a card. Depending on the size of the card, it may 
be necessary to remove the Mac mini to enable the 
installation of the card into slot 1

Chapter 5 – Tips and Known Issues

10

Summary of Contents for xMac

Page 1: ...User s Guide for xMac mini Server 2H Thunderbolt to PCIe Expansion System and 1U Rack Enclosure for Mac mini With Thunderbolt Port ...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...llation Steps C xMac mini Server 2H Rackmount Installation Information 4 Verify Connections Using System Information 9 A Verify xMac mini Server 2H is Recognized B Verify Installed Cards are Recognized 5 Tips and Known Issues 10 Tips Known Issues 6 Specifications Precautions FCC Compliance and Support Information 11 Specifications Safety Precautions FCC Compliance Contacting Customer Service Visit...

Page 4: ......

Page 5: ...convenient interfacing of Gigabit Ethernet USB and HDMI cables The xMac mini Server 2H s power switch turns the computer on and off and the PCIe slots are powered on off with the Mac mini for maximum energy savings An opening in the front panel allows the Mac mini s power indicator to shine through There s a central power hub for the computer and power supply for the PCIe slots enabling you to pow...

Page 6: ...ening This hole allows the Mac mini s power indicator to shine through 8 Gigabit Ethernet Port This RJ 45 port connects to the Mac mini through a cable attached to the back panel 9 External Cable Passthrough This opening allows the connection of the included Thunderbolt cable from the computer to the left Thunderbolt port on the xMac mini Server 2H s back panel and the connection of other cables t...

Page 7: ...cal half length full height PCIe 2 0 card and is also compatible with PCIe 1 1 cards 4 Power Supply This user replaceable part provides power to the xMac mini Server 2H s PCIe slots fans and assorted printed circuit boards 5 Fan Assembly This user replaceable part provides airflow to cool the Mac mini installed PCIe cards and other components inside the enclosure A Thunderbolt Connector Lock This ...

Page 8: ...c mini remove the loose Thunderbolt cable and set it aside and then move the rest of the cables aside Figure 2 Support Note To avoid damaging components due to static electricity discharge wear an antistatic wrist strap while working inside xMac mini Server 2H Figure 1 Figure 2 4 WARNING When handling computer products take care to prevent components from being damaged by static electricity avoid ...

Page 9: ...the screw securing its port access cover and then remove the cover Figure 3 6 If you are installing a card into PCIe Slot 2 remove and set aside the screw securing its port access cover and then remove the cover Figure 4 Chapter 3 PCIe Cards Computer and xMac mini Server 2H Installation Steps Figure 3 Figure 4 5 ...

Page 10: ...lling a card into PCIe Slot 2 remove the card from its packaging handling the card by its edges and without touching any components or gold connector pins Otherwise skip to step 13 11 Turn the card components side down line up the card s connector with the slot and then gently but firmly press the card into the slot do not rock the card or force the card into the slot If you encounter excessive re...

Page 11: ...ecure the Thunderbolt cable s to the xMac mini Server 2H with the supplied Thunderbolt cable lock Figure 7 16 If desired secure the cables to the bottom of the xMac mini Server 2H with cable ties B Mac mini Installation Steps 1 Remove the Mac mini from its packaging 2 Carefully insert the Mac mini under the top edge of the enclosure push it against the gasket behind the enclosure s face plate and ...

Page 12: ...ing rack slides or a rack shelf Sonnet offers rack slide sets for purchase separately please visit the site at www sonnettech com product xmacminiserver html and click on the Accessory tab for more information 1 Install and secure the xMac mini in the equipment rack 2 Connect any necessary interface cables to the back of xMac mini Server 2H verify the cables are plugged in securely 3 Connect the s...

Page 13: ...cards Figure 10 B Verify Installed Cards are Recognized 1 When a card is installed into one of xMac mini Server 2H s PCIe slots the PCIe slot listed as a port the Status should appear as connected Figure 10 2 Click PCI Cards under the Hardware header in the left column Figure 11 3 At the top of the right column installed cards are listed By selecting a card at the top detailed information is liste...

Page 14: ...With its optimized airflow design and four temperature controlled fans providing adequate cooling at all times xMac mini Server 2H may be installed anywhere in a rack Do not block any of the vents Otherwise the Mac mini installed cards and xMac mini Server 2H s components may overheat Connecting Additional Thunderbolt Devices You may connect up to five additional Thunderbolt devices in a daisy cha...

Page 15: ...chnical updates Before you call Sonnet Customer Service please check our Website for the latest updates and online support files and check this User s Guide for helpful information When you call Sonnet Customer Service have the following information available so our customer service staff can better assist you Product name Product serial number Date and place of purchase Computer model PCIe card m...

Page 16: ...hnologies Inc Mac and Mac OS are trademarks of Apple Inc registered in the United States and other countries Thunderbolt and the Thunderbolt logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U S and or other countries Other product names are trademarks of their respective owners Product specifications subject to change without notice UG XMAC MS 2H E A 060413 ...

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