Kool Tools: Sonnet Dual-Port 10GBase-T Thunderbolt 2 adapter
Sonnet Technologies' Twin 10G Thunderbolt 2 to Dual-Port Copper 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) Adapter (http://tinyurl.com/kk4hmda) is a "near-plug-and-play" solution for adding 10GbE network connectivity to any computer with Thunderbolt 2 or Thunderbolt ports.
Featuring 20Gbps Thunderbolt 2 technology, the Twin 10G enables users to connect to high-speed infrastructure and storage systems using the 10GbE standard — offering up to 10 times the performance of Gigabit Ethernet, the common wired network connection included with most computers today. Support for Wake-on-LAN and other advanced features make this Sonnet adapter suitable for use in a variety of workflows and environments.
Thunderbolt-certified for Mac OS X and Windows, Sonnet's Twin 10G is equipped with two RJ45 and two Thunderbolt 2 ports. Using RJ45 connectors, the Twin 10G is able to connect to 10 Gigabit infrastructure via inexpensive CAT-6 or CAT-6A copper cabling at distances up to 55 or 100 meters, respectively. Through one of its two Thunderbolt 2 ports, the Twin 10G connects to the computer through an included Thunderbolt cable; the second Thunderbolt port supports daisy chaining up to six devices.
The adapter's sleek aluminum housing effectively dissipates heat, and a temperature-tuned, ultra-quiet fan to cool the components inside enables the Twin 10G to be used comfortably in noise-sensitive environments. It offers easy setup and several advanced features.
Link aggregation (teaming) of its two 10GbE ports increases throughput beyond what a single connection can sustain. Transparent failover between 10GbE ports keeps the computer connected in case a single cable is disconnected or one of the ports fails. Wake-on-LAN support enables users to remote wake the attached computer when needed, without otherwise wasting energy.
The Twin 10G can be mounted inside Sonnet's xMac Pro Thunderbolt 2-to-PCIe card expansion system and rackmount enclosure for the new Mac Pro, as well as the RackMac Pro rackmount enclosure for the new Mac Pro. The Sonnet adapter is configured through the OS X Network control panel or Windows Device Manager.
The Twin 10G will be available soon for US$599.
