Dishwasher: Thunderbolt ethernet adapter

Saturday, 5 January 2013

Thunderbolt ethernet adapter

Thunderbolt (codenamed Light Peak)[1] is a hardware interface that allows for the connection of external peripherals to a computer. It uses the same connector as Mini DisplayPort (MDP). It was released in its finished state on February 24, 2011.[2]
Thunderbolt combines PCI Express (PCIe) and DisplayPort (DP) into one serial signal alongside a DC connection for electric power, transmitted over one cable. As many as seven peripherals may be supported by one connector through various topologies.Thunderbolt was developed by Intel with technical collaboration from Apple. It was commercially introduced on Apple's 2011 MacBook Pro, using the same Apple-developed connector as MDP. MDP is electrically identical to DisplayPort (DP), but uses a smaller, non-locking connector. Though the Thunderbolt trademark was registered by Apple, full rights belong to Intel which subsequently led to the transfer of the registration from Apple to Intel.[5]
Thunderbolt controllers multiplex one or more individual data lanes from connected PCIe and DP devices for transmission via one duplex Thunderbolt lane, then de-multiplex them for consumption by PCIe and DP devices on the other end.[3] A single Thunderbolt port supports up to six Thunderbolt devices via hubs or daisy chains; as many of these as the host has DP sources may be Thunderbolt monitors.[6]