Thanks, yeah that would probably work. But this dock only has one USB C port on it and I’d hate to tie it up for ethernet, especially when it already has an Ethernet port that’s supposed to support higher speeds. You had mentioned there was a Realtek driver that might be faster? Were you ever able to try that out? My dock, like yours, is using the apple driver you mentioned.
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Super Sticky Thread for USB-C Docks, Cables and Accessories [MERGED]
- Thread starter Truefan31
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Fair enough, good work around. It just sucks having to use up limited USB ports and buy extra dongles when the dock has what should be a perfectly usable ethernet port right on the back! I‘m not clever enough to figure out how to update the driver, etc…
When you do the ethernet speed test, do you have anything else connected (display, etc) to the dock?
Yes, an Apple Studio Display. But that's not the issue. I'm getting 1 Gbps speeds through the dock with the display connected using an Apple Ethernet dongle connected to the TB3 port. It's something to do with the ethernet port on the dock.
I'm not sure what you mean by controller, but the ethernet port on the dock says:
Vendor Name: Realtek
Driver: com.apple.DriverKit.AppleUserECM
When I connect through the faster Apple Ethernet Dongle-->TB3 it says:
Driver: com.apple.iokit.AppleBCM5701Ethernet
I'm still thinking there is something up with the driver on the dock, but am not clever enough to know how to update it.
It might have something to do with which PCIe lanes are used for ethernet and the display. As I understand it, two lanes are used by the DP and the other two lanes by the TB DP tunnel. So, it seems to me that the ethernet must be sharing one of the lanes with either the DP or TB DP tunnel. I went back and reviewed the thread and it appears you are running a dual monitor setup consisting of an Apple Cinema Display via the dock's DisplayPort and an Apple Studio Display via the dock's TB3 port? Is that correct?
If the controller shares the same lane bandwidth with ethernet and the display, you might see a slow down on the ethernet port when a display is connected. If you have another port on your computer to connect a display to and you can disconnect the Studio Display from the dock and test the ethernet port that might be helpful.
System Information should let you display the Vendor and Device names for the Thunderbolt controller in the dock.
I really appreciate your help, but no, I don't think it has anything to do with the lanes. I just hooked up the ethernet to the dock and the dock to my M2 MBA with nothing else attached. No displays other than the laptop. Same speed. The problem appears to be with the Ethernet Jack on the Dock and I suspect the only possible fix would be a firmware update or it's just a cheap ethernet jack that doesn't really support 1 Gbps. FYI, I'm not running two monitors ever on this setup. I can't seem to find a way to get that to work. I believe the M2 MBA only supports 1 monitor.
What you might consider going is purchasing a network diagnostic tool. I have one from Extech, there are many other brands. They are dead handy for checking your cables for problems. You can pick up a good one for under $100 bucks.
I hope I’m in the right thread. I've run out of patience with endless web- and thread-searches finding a "just right" hub. Everything either does too much or too little for what I need, which is:
Finally, if possible, I'd like the host port on the front of the hub (side is OK), and everything else on the back of the hub. So many hubs put multiple ports, as well as the power supply jack, on the front for some reason.
The closest I've found is the OWC Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock. It has one more HDMI port than I'll use, and I'd have to separately connect a charger, which means this isn't a convenient one-cable solution.
![41wUJFJL1pL._AC_SL1000_.jpg]()
PS: I gave this a try and no bueno. Did not work at all with an Intel MBP, and would not output a video signal (nor allow MacOS to identify the presence of a display) on an M2 MBP.
![7160zsWlKYL._AC_SL1500_.jpg]()
- min. 67W host charging (pass-through charging is fine, I can bring my own charger)
- single HDMI port, min. 4K 60Hz
- Gigabit (or better) Ethernet
- USB Type-A port, 3.x
- additional USB Type-A port, can be 2.0
Finally, if possible, I'd like the host port on the front of the hub (side is OK), and everything else on the back of the hub. So many hubs put multiple ports, as well as the power supply jack, on the front for some reason.
The closest I've found is the OWC Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock. It has one more HDMI port than I'll use, and I'd have to separately connect a charger, which means this isn't a convenient one-cable solution.
PS: I gave this a try and no bueno. Did not work at all with an Intel MBP, and would not output a video signal (nor allow MacOS to identify the presence of a display) on an M2 MBP.
Its not that hard to find. Hint: Stick to a few reliable brands: OWC, Caldigit, plugable. Dont bother searching on Amazon, it has a lousy search engine.
first hit:
plugable.com
has everything you wanted.
first hit:
Plugable USB-C Docking Station with VESA Mount, 85W Laptop Charging
The Plugable UD-CAM docking station is a compact way to expand the functionality of your USB C laptop or tablet computer. Provides up to 85W of Power Delivery.
You didnt say you cared about cost. Here are no name ones. good luck!
UGREEN Revodok 107 USB C Hub 7 in 1 Gigabit Ethernet 4K@60Hz HDMI, 100W PD Charging, SD/TF Card Reader, 2 USB A Data Ports Compatible with Mac M1, M2, M3, iPad, iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max, Steam Deck
All-in-one USB C Hubï¼UGREEN 7-in-1 USB-C hub features a 4K@60Hz HDMI port, 1000Mbps Ethernet port, USB C charging port with 100W power delivery, SD/TF card reader, and 2 USB 3. 0 ports. Connect to a MacBook Air, iPad Pro, Chromebook, Chromecast or other USB-C devices with the multiport adapter,...
www.amazon.com
USB C Hub, UtechSmart USB C Ethernet Multiport Adapter, 6 In 1 USB C to HDMI Dock Compatible for Macbook Pro/Air, Chromebook, Dell XPS, HP and Type C Devices (Gigabit Ethernet 100W PD 4K HDMI USB 3.0)
All in One Station Six in one get 3 standard USB 3 0 ports 1 HDMI multimedia port 1 PD 3 0 USB C charging port and 1 Ethernet port for Internet connectivity in one hub Advanced Technology Use the same heat dissipation technology as MacBook Pro to extend the working life and provide a excellent pe...
www.amazon.com
It's not about cost, it's about bang for the buck. IMO it doesn't make sense to pay more for USB than TB.
Anyone has the Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Mini Dock and can let me know what Ethernet chipset it has?
Apple's own braided USB-C to Lightning cable is obviously the most compatible one, but are there actually any tests and reviews how well it performs as a fast charging and fast data cable?
Looking for a dock for my MacBook Air (M1 chip) and my requirements are:
The only notable difference I found was that the UGREEN doesn't come with it's own power supply, but this doesn't bother me as I will just plug in my MacBook charger (it came with a 30w charger, I presume this would be sufficient).
So is any of those 3 preferable / to be avoided? Belkin is the only brand of the 3 I've heard of/used before, but I fully realise that doesn't mean UGREEN and Alogic aren't good.
Can anyone advise on any of them?
- DisplayLink.
- Run 2 x HDMI external monitors at minimum 1080p 60hz with my MacBook in clamshell mode (closed lid).
- Power delivery function.
- Power source, 2 x HDMI ports and the usb-c connection that runs to my MacBook on the back of the dock.
- A usb-c port on the front of the dock.
The only notable difference I found was that the UGREEN doesn't come with it's own power supply, but this doesn't bother me as I will just plug in my MacBook charger (it came with a 30w charger, I presume this would be sufficient).
So is any of those 3 preferable / to be avoided? Belkin is the only brand of the 3 I've heard of/used before, but I fully realise that doesn't mean UGREEN and Alogic aren't good.
Can anyone advise on any of them?
None of those are Thunderbolt docks. I recommend you consider a TB 3 or TB 4 dock. Consider one of the Acasis docks if you are looking for an inexpensive one. Or, consider a Sonnet or OWC dock if you can spend a bit more.
For example:
Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock - SONNETTECH
Thunderbolt 4 dock with HDMI, Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2.5 GbE and audio ports, SD card slot, 100W power delivery, and 4K, 5K, 6K, 8K support.
I do not think the MBA supports more than one external display. To get the extra display(s), you might consider:
DisplayLink Dual HDMI Adapter for M Series Macs - SONNETTECH
Displaylink adapter with two HDMI ports for M1, M2, M3 Macs, Intel Mac and Windows, and Chromebook computers. Supports two 4K @ 60Hz HDMI displays.
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My experience with hubs that don't have their own charger (among which are Ugreen and WavLink) and provide USB-C Power Delivery pass-through are:
- Plugging or unplugging peripherals often temporarily disconnects power. This creates problems when the hub hosts rotational hard drives (such as Time Machine backups). Which is often file system corruption.
- They get hot quickly. When they get hot, connections to monitors and/or peripherals tend to stutter. Thus causing monitors to flicker and hard drives to disconnect (which again, creates file system corruption).
- They take 10-20W off "the top" from your charger. Hence, you'd need 3rd party chargers that provide the extra power requirements above whatever your laptop already needs.
Thank you. The total cost of an adapter + thunderbolt dock just makes it a bit too much, I think for what I need one of these usb-c ones suffices.None of those are Thunderbolt docks. I recommend you consider a TB 3 or TB 4 dock. Consider one of the Acasis docks if you are looking for an inexpensive one. Or, consider a Sonnet or OWC dock if you can spend a bit more.
For example:
Echo 20 Thunderbolt 4 SuperDock - SONNETTECH
Thunderbolt 4 dock with HDMI, Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), USB 3.2 Gen 2, 2.5 GbE and audio ports, SD card slot, 100W power delivery, and 4K, 5K, 6K, 8K support.www.sonnettech.com
I do not think the MBA supports more than one external display. To get the extra display(s), you might consider:
DisplayLink Dual HDMI Adapter for M Series Macs - SONNETTECH
Displaylink adapter with two HDMI ports for M1, M2, M3 Macs, Intel Mac and Windows, and Chromebook computers. Supports two 4K @ 60Hz HDMI displays.www.sonnettech.com
That's really useful, thanks.
Since TB4 dock/hubs are on the horizon I am going to wait. I like the OWC except in has the input on the front. This is OK if you are setting down a MacBook and are plugging it in but this permanently puts the input cable on the front side when it is plugged into a Mini, or a Studio.
A question about the OWC Thunderbolt Pro Dock. It has a 10Gb/s ethernet port. Can you use this as your connection to a Mac computer for external drives or do you still have to connect via thunderbolt for it to function properly. This is the last question I have before I get one. With this last said should I wait for a Thunderbolt 4 version?
I just noticed that on the new version of the OWC docking hub, the Thunderbolt Pro Dock, the main Thunderbolt input for it has been moved to the back.
MacOS computers can mount network shares, if that's your question. So if the external drives are in a NAS, yes, you can connect to them over Ethernet if you have permission to access the NAS. And if your NAS and Ethernet network are 10Gb/s throughout the chain, you'll get that speed.
You'll need to make sure the NAS has a 10Gb/s Ethernet interface, your switch or hub can accommodate that speed, and also that your network cables are capable of 10Gb/s. Older "Cat 5e" (Cat is short for "category") cabling can sometimes carry those signals over short distances, but if you're pulling cable for a new network, go ahead and buy Cat 8 cables. You'll grow into them in the future.
Finally, 10GB/s is wild overkill for one or two shared hard drives with spinning platters. Those drives just don't deliver data fast enough. Where it comes in very handy is if you're sharing NVMe SSDs, an array of slower SATA3 SSDs, or an array of at least five HDDs.
You can also directly connect storage volumes to a computer by USB or Thunderbolt (or SATA ports, or NVMe ports). In that case they belong to the computer and you'd have to authorize "drive sharing". Other computers could access directly-attached volumes that you've specifically shared.
That's the primary difference between the concepts of network-attached storage (NAS) and direct-attached storage (DAS). NAS is definitely more flexible, inasmuch as a NAS is a computer designated for the specific task of sharing its storage volumes.
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