Magna ExpressBox EB3T User manual

ExpressBox 3T
User Manual
Thunderbolt™ to PCIe Expansion
Model: EB3T

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Preface
2
Table of Contents
Preface 3
Advisories 3
Safety Instructions 4
Chapter 1 Introduction 6
PCI Express Features 6
Thunderbolt Features 7
Specifications 7
Pre-Installation Information 7
Parts List 8
Tools Required for Installation 8
Chapter 2 Hardware Installation 9
Open Enclosure 9
Install PCIe Cards 10
Extra Power 11
Blower 12
Connect Cables and Turn On 12
Control Fan Speed 14
Daisy Chaining 15
Attaching Displays 15
Chapter 3 Verify Installation 16
MacOS X 16
Thunderbolt Compatible Driver is Required 17
Windows 17
Troubleshooting 18
Chapter 4 How to Get More Help 22
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 22
Contacting Technical Support 22
Returning Merchandise to MAGMA 22
Appendix A Compliance 24

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Preface
3
Preface
Advisories
Five types of advisories are used throughout this manual to provide helpful information,
or to alert you to the potential for hardware damage or personal injury.
NOTE
Used to amplify or explain a comment related to procedural steps or text.
IMPORTANT
Used to indicate an important piece of information or special “tip” to help you
CAUTION
Used to indicate and prevent the following procedure or step from causing damage to the
equipment.
WARNING
Used to indicate and prevent the following step from causing injury.
DANGER or STOP
Used to indicate and prevent the following step from causing serious injury or significant
data loss
Disclaimer: We have attempted to identify most situations that may pose a danger,
warning, or caution condition in this manual. However, Magma does not claim to have
covered all situations that might require the use of a Caution, Warning, or Danger
indicator.

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Preface
4
Safety Instructions
Always use caution when servicing any electrical component. Before handling the
Magma Expansion chassis, read the following instructions and safety guidelines to
prevent damage to the product and to ensure your own personal safety. Refer to the
“Advisories” section for advisory conventions used in this manual, including the
distinction between Danger, Warning, Caution, Important, and Note.
Always use caution when handling/operating the computer. Only qualified,
experienced, authorized electronics personnel should access the interior of the
computer and expansion chassis per UL and IEC 60950-1
The power supplies produce high voltages and energy hazards, which can cause
bodily harm.
Use extreme caution when installing or removing components. Refer to the
installation instructions in this manual for precautions and procedures. If you
have any questions, please contact Magma Technical Support.
WARNING
Never modify or remove the radio frequency interference shielding from your workstation
or expansion unit. To do so may cause your installation to produce emissions that could
interfere with other electronic equipment in the area of your system.
When Working Inside a Computer
1. Before taking covers off a computer, perform the following steps:
2. Turn off the computer and any peripheral devices.
3. Disconnect the computer and peripheral power cords from their AC outlets or
inlets in order to prevent electric shock or system board damage.
In addition, take note of these safety guidelines when appropriate:
To help avoid possible damage to systems boards, wait five seconds after
turning off the computer before removing a component, removing a system
board, or disconnecting a peripheral device from the computer.
When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector or on its strain-relief loop, not
on the cable itself. Some cables have a connector with locking tabs. If you are
disconnecting this type of cable, press in on the locking tabs before
disconnecting the cable. As you pull connectors apart, keep them evenly aligned
to avoid bending any connector pins. Also, before connecting a cable, make sure
both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Preface
5
CAUTION
Do not attempt to service the system yourself except as explained in this manual. Follow
installation instructions closely.
Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Warning
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is the enemy of semiconductor devices. You should always
take precautions to eliminate any electrostatic charge from your body and clothing before
touching any semiconductor device or card by using an electrostatic wrist strap and/or
rubber mat.
Static electricity can harm system boards. Perform service at an ESD workstation and
follow proper ESD procedures to reduce the risk of damage to components. Magma
strongly encourages you to follow proper ESD procedures, which can include wrist
straps and smocks, when servicing equipment.
You can also take the following steps to prevent damage from electrostatic discharge
(ESD):
•When unpacking a static-sensitive component from its shipping carton, do not
remove the component’s anti-static packaging material until you are ready to
install the component in a computer. Just before unwrapping the anti-static
packaging, be sure you are at an ESD workstation or are grounded.
•When transporting a sensitive component, first place it in an anti-static container
or packaging.
•Handle all sensitive components at an ESD workstation. If possible, use anti-
static floor pads and workbench pads.
•Handle components and boards with care. Don’t touch the components or
contacts on a board. Hold a board by its edges or by its metal mounting bracket.

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Chapter 1 Introduction
6
Chapter 1 Introduction
ExpressBox 3T provides an 'outside-the-box' solution for using PCIe® cards with
Thunderbolt-equipped computers. High-performance work flows are possible by
connecting a Thunderbolt equipped computer to a Magma ExpressBox 3T containing
PCIe cards such as video capture, media transcoding, audio processing, and fast data
storage. And because Thunderbolt is also based on DisplayPort technology, you can
daisy chain a high-resolution display with your Magma ExpressBox 3T. Thunderbolt
cable is sold separately.
PCI Express Features
•Supports three full-length cards
•This chassis includes a PCI Express Gen 2 switch. Any two x4 ports, can merge
to form an 8-lane port. Therefore, the x8 connector is used twice which allows
slot 3 to be 8-lanes or slot 3 to be 4-lanes and slot 4 to be 4-lanes.
•The total PCIe lanes for all 3 slots is 16 lanes. Combinations can be:
X8, x8
X8, x16 – note: the x16 will run at x8 speed
X8, x4, x4
X8, x8, x4 – note: the second x8 will only run at x4 speed
X8, x16, x4 – note: the x16 will only run at x4 speed

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Chapter 1 Introduction
7
Thunderbolt Features
•High-speed Thunderbolt connection – 10Gbps
•Dual channel, with support for PCIe and DisplayPort protocols
•Automatic power-up control by computer
•Daisy-chain or end-point device
Specifications
Item
Description
Technology
PCI Express Bus Specification Revision 2.0
PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.3
PCI Bridge Architecture Revision 1.2
Backplane
(3) Full length PCI Express Slots
-two x8 PCIe 2.0
-one x4 PCIe 2.0
Interconnect Bandwidth
10Gbps (1.25 GB/s) Bi-directional
Enclosure
Aluminum Chassis
14.6”W x, 4.3”H x 7.9”H
(371mm x 110mm x 200mm)
System Cooling
(1) Hot Swappable Fan
(1) Removable Blower Fan
Power Supply Options
250 Watt
100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz Power Input
Two 4-pin auxiliary power tabs
Environmental
Ambient Temperature 0° to 50° C
Storage Temperature -20° to 60° C
Relative Humidity 5% to 85% non-condensing
MTBF
50,000
Regulatory Compliance
FCC Class A Verified
CE
RoHS Compliant
Supported Operating Systems
MacOS 10.6.8 or higher
Warranty
30 day money back guarantee
1 year return to factory
Pre-Installation Information
Before using the Magma Expansion chassis you should perform the following steps:
•Inventory the shipping carton contents for all of the required parts
•Gather all of the necessary tools required for installation
•Read this manual

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Chapter 1 Introduction
8
Parts List
Qty
Item
1
ExpressBox 3T - Three Slot PCIe Expansion Chassis
1
Fan Blower
1
Carry Bag
1
U.S. Standard 115V Power Cord
Tools Required for Installation
To complete the installation of the Magma product you will need a Phillips-head
screwdriver and ESD wrist strap to prevent electrostatic discharge.

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Chapter 2 Hardware Installation
9
Chapter 2 Hardware Installation
The following steps will guide you through the installation of your Magma Expansion
System.
CAUTION
Hardware installation shall be performed only by qualified service personnel per UL and
IEC 60950-1.
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Warning
All add-in cards are susceptible to electrostatic discharge. When moving cards, it is best
to carry the cards in anti-static packaging. If you need to set a circuit card down, be sure
to place it inside or on top of an anti-static surface. For more information, see “Protecting
Against Electrostatic Discharge” in the Preface.
WARNING
High voltages are present inside the expansion chassis when the unit’s power cord is
plugged into an electrical outlet. Disconnect the power cord from the AC outlet before
removing the enclosure cover. Turning the system power off at the power on/off switch
does not remove power to components. High voltage is still present.
CAUTION
Before touching anything inside the enclosure, move to an ESD station and follow proper
ESD procedures. Failure to do so may result in electrostatic discharge, damaging the
computer or its components. For more information, see “Protecting Against Electrostatic
Discharge” in the Preface.
Open Enclosure
Loosen the thumbscrew that retains the top cover of the chassis and slide the lid
towards you as shown below:

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Chapter 2 Hardware Installation
10
Install PCIe Cards
Some card manufacturers recommend that you install their software driver prior to
installing the card. If this is the case, be sure to install the card driver before connecting
ExpressBox 3T to the computer.
•Slot 1 accepts x1 or x4 PCIe cards or the provided Fan Blower
•Slot 2 accepts x1, x4 or x8 PCIe cards
•Slot 3 accepts all types of PCIe cards x1, x4, x8 or x16 (next to Thunderbolt
interface card)
Make sure that all cards are fully seated in their connectors. When correctly seated,
there will be a firm resistance when you pull up gently on the card. To keep the cards in
place, secure them in the enclosure with their retaining screws.
After securing the cards verify that they do not touch each other.
NOTE
If at all possible, plug all power cords from the expansion chassis and your host computer
into a shared power strip, preferably one that has surge and noise suppression circuitry
built into it.

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Chapter 2 Hardware Installation
11
WARNING
Do not remove or disconnect any cables from Thunderbolt interface card inserted in the
ExpressBox 3T chassis. Doing so WILL disable functionality.
Extra Power
Some PCIe cards require extra power. There are two 4 pin AUX power connectors that
can be used for providing extra power to cards.
If you need to add another 4 pin AUX tab you can connect an AUX Y splitter

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Chapter 2 Hardware Installation
12
Blower
If the PCIe cards run hot or are over 20 watts of power, Magma recommends installing
the blower in the x4 Slot of ExpressBox 3T. Use caution if loading three cards at once.
Check for heat with two cards first.
CAUTION
Before touching anything inside the enclosure, be sure unit has been off
and is cool. Beware of touching anything in chassis if unit has been on.
Connect Cables and Turn On
Plug in power cord to ExpressBox 3T.
Attach Thunderbolt cable into either top or bottom port on the ExpressBox 3T. Plug in
Display Monitor, DVI/HDMI, or Display. If no display will be used, you can daisy chain
other Thunderbolt devices. Plug in the other end of the Thunderbolt cable to the
Thunderbolt port on the computer.

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Chapter 2 Hardware Installation
13
ExpressBox 3T will automatically turn ON when the computer is turned ON. A BLUE
light will shine when the expansion chassis is ON. ExpressBox 3T will automatically turn
OFF when the computer is turned OFF or goes into SLEEP mode.
If either end of the Thunderbolt cable is removed while the system is ON, the expansion
chassis will automatically power down.

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Chapter 2 Hardware Installation
14
The Blue light on the front of ExpressBox 3T is not an on off push button, it simply
indicates whether the chassis is on or off.
If either end of the Thunderbolt cable is disconnected, ExpressBox 3T will automatically
turn off.
Control Fan Speed
For low power or self-cooled cards you can reduce the fan noise by moving the jumper
found under the removable cooling fan at the front of the chassis to the slowest speed
setting. If the chassis gets hot during use, you should increase the fan speed to provide
more cooling.
You will need a pair of needle nose pliers or a similar tool used for grabbing small
jumpers. Remove the fan cage at the front of the chassis and you will see a small board
as shown below.
The Factory Default is setting 2 (medium). The slowest speed is setting 4 and the
fastest speed is setting F.
F = fastest
1 = fast
2 = medium (default)
3 = slow
4 = slowest

Magma
ExpressBox 3T |
15
Daisy Chaining
IMPORTANT
For best performance, it is recommended that ExpressBox 3T be the first
device in the Thunderbolt Daisy-chain.
Attaching Displays
You can use an appropriate Display Port connector to add a Display Port, HDMI, DVI, or
VGA Display.
The Display Port connector can plug into the other Thunderbolt port on ExpressBox 3T
Make sure your display is plugged in and the appropriate adapter is connected.
HDMI, Mini Display Port, VGA, DVI

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Chapter 3 Verify Installation
16
Chapter 3 Verify Installation
MacOS X
To verify a successful installation on Mac select “About This Mac” under the Apple Icon.
Then click the “More Info” button click on the More Info/System Information button 
you should see a pci-bridge device listed under PCI as shown below:
PCIe cards installed in the expansion chassis will typically appear behind the pci-bridge
device. Some storage will not, it will appear under Parallel SCSI. Consult the manual for
the PCIe card for more.

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Chapter 3 Verify Installation
17
Thunderbolt Compatible Driver is Required
For MacOS, a Thunderbolt Compatible driver is required because it allows PCIe cards
to be detected in ExpressBox 3T. Ensure you have a “Thunderbolt Compatible” driver
from the PCIe card manufacturer otherwise the PCIe card will not be visible to the
system.
If the driver is installed, make sure it supports Thunderbolt. If the driver does not support
Thunderbolt you will see a message “Driver Installed: No
Click on the specific PCIe card in question to see if it’s Thunderbolt Compatible. If it
shows “Yes” then its compatible, if it shows “No”, the PCIe card will not be visible in
ExpressBox 3T.
Windows
Open ACPI (BIOS) Open PCI BusClick the ‘+’ sign several times until your reach a
PCI Express Root Port with a PCI Standard PCI-to-PCI Bridge beneath it.
If the verification is successful, you can install 3rd Party cards as well as auxiliary
peripherals, such as hard drives into the chassis.

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Chapter 3 Verify Installation
18
If, however, the installation was unsuccessful, you may not see the PCI to PCI Bridge,
or it will have a small yellow symbol in front of it as shown below, go to
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
Q: If the Thunderbolt card fails to power up, what should I check?
A: Check the power stand-by cable; make sure it is firmly connected to the power
receptacle of the Thunderbolt Interface card.
Q: How do I know if ExpressBox 3T power supply is working?
A: If the Thunderbolt card is properly seated and connected, there should be two green
LEDs (shown) when black power cable is plugged in, as shown below.

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Chapter 3 Verify Installation
19
Q. If ExpressBox 3T does not power up how do I determine whether I have a bad
power supply, a bad interface card or defective cable?
A: A working system should illuminate - Five Green LEDs D519, D7000, D701, D24
AND D21 on the interface card, which are located on the top left corner.
•When you have a Bad Power Supply, you won't see any Green LEDs lit at all on
the Interface card.
•When you have a bad cable, you don't see LEDs D701, D24 AND D21 coming
on. Swap or replaced the Thunderbolt Cable.
•If you already swapped the Thunderbolt cable and still LEDs D701, D24 AND
D21 are not coming on this indicates you have a bad interface card.
Q: How can I determine if the driver for my PCIe card is Thunderbolt Compatible?
A: Thunderbolt Tunneling is required for MacOS. In Apple System Profile, click on the
specific PCIe card in question to see if its Thunderbolt Tunnel Compatible. If it shows
“Yes” then Thunderbolt tunneling has been enabled. If it shows “No”, then the driver
does not work through Thunderbolt and the PCIe card will not be visible in ExpressBox
3T.

Magma
ExpressBox 3T | Chapter 3 Verify Installation
20
Q: Can I daisy chain ExpressBox 3T with more ExpressBox 3T?
A: Yes, but realize that aggregate bandwidth is limited to 10Gbps through the
Thunderbolt port and PCI address and IO space can be limited so the type of cards
installed in the chassis may limit the number that can be daisy chained successfully.
If a daisy chain device doesn’t work; check to see if a RED led (on the Magma
Thunderbolt Card in the first slot of ExpressBox 3T) is on. If so, the daisy chained
device is drawing too much power and the current limiting has kicked in and has turned
off the power to the downstream device.
Q: Will ExpressBox 3T show up in Apple System Profiler or Windows Device
Manager without any PCIe cards installed?
Yes.
In Apple System Profiler Thunderbolt Status: Connected ExpressBox 3T