Is TB to 10Gb Ethernet as simple as it seems?

[Fasauceome]

A client needs 10 gigabit connection for an upcoming outfitting to a NAS and was originally thinking of using a 10Gb PCIe expansion card, but he's already using so much PCIe bandwidth as it is. I suggested a 10Gb adapter from Thunderbolt that he'd also be able to use with his mac for more convenience, and I found some adapters, but I have reservations about any simple plug and play capabilities.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1404413-REG/sonnet_solo10g_tb3_solo_10g_thunderbolt_3.html?ap=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=CjwKCAjw67XpBRBqEiwA5RCoca_eYjtR_GwjzK40Pi935dGix565PvvMp-S5KsSPipIkzFUUjdhkrhoCv_MQAvD_BwE

These things sure aren't cheap, so I'd like to know if people have had problems with these.

[SenKa]

I have heard good things about it, especially on macOS. When it comes to PnP on macOS, the worst thing you need to do is download drivers. I can't speak to this specific adapter, but even really cheap Amazon adapters without explicit macOS support have worked without any real issue.

[Fasauceome]

3 minutes ago, SenKa said:

I have heard good things about it, especially on macOS. When it comes to PnP on macOS, the worst thing you need to do is download drivers. I can't speak to this specific adapter, but even really cheap Amazon adapters without explicit macOS support have worked without any real issue.

Nice, usual when something seems too good to be true that's the case. What would fall under a cheap adapter?

[SenKa]

10 minutes ago, fasauceome said:

Nice, usual when something seems too good to be true that's the case. What would fall under a cheap adapter?

Something like this (this is the exact one I have, actually)

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MYTSN18/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Fasauceome]

13 minutes ago, SenKa said:

Something like this (this is the exact one I have, actually)

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MYTSN18/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have one just like that, ideally thunderbolt is just as convenient as USB for an adapter 

[SenKa]

22 minutes ago, fasauceome said:

I have one just like that, ideally thunderbolt is just as convenient as USB for an adapter 

TB3 is needed for 10Gb, which makes the difference.

[Alex Atkin UK]

Quote

was originally thinking of using a 10Gb PCIe expansion card, but he's already using so much PCIe bandwidth as it is

Its not like Thunderbolt is going to magically get around that, it will still be taking up PCIe bandwidth, depending on exactly how its wired internally could be better or worse than a PCIe slot.

There is no denying that TB wins when it comes to being able to easily use it on other devices though.

[Fasauceome]

12 minutes ago, Alex Atkin UK said:

Its not like Thunderbolt is going to magically get around that, it will still be taking up PCIe bandwidth, depending on exactly how its wired internally could be better or worse than a PCIe slot.

There is no denying that TB wins when it comes to being able to easily use it on other devices though.

It's just that he won't be using 3 thunderbolt devices, a PCIe SSD, and a 10Gb connection all at the same time and say "hey what happened to my bandwidth"

[Alex Atkin UK]

5 hours ago, fasauceome said:

It's just that he won't be using 3 thunderbolt devices, a PCIe SSD, and a 10Gb connection all at the same time and say "hey what happened to my bandwidth"

TB is just an external way of hooking up to the PCIe bus though, so unless its has dedicated PCIe lanes (unlikely) its still contending the same as a internal card would.

It still sounds a good choice for being able to switch it to the Mac when required, but it should make zero difference compared to PCIe when it comes to actual bandwidth available on that system.