Sonnet Echo Express User manual

User’s Guide
for Echo™Express and Echo Express Pro
Thunderbolt™Expansion Chassis for PCIe Cards

1 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 1
2 Echo Express Chassis’ Description Description........................................................................... 2
3 PCIe Card Installation Steps.................................................................................................... 4
4 Verify Connections Using System Information............................................................................6
Verify Echo Express is Recognized
Verify Installed Cards are Recognized
5 Tips, General Information, and Known Issues.............................................................................7
Tips, General Information
Known Issues
6 Specifications, Precautions, FCC Compliance, and Support Information...................................... 8
Specifications
Safety Precautions
FCC Compliance
Contacting Customer Service
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Contents

1
Chapter 1 – Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase! Echo Express and Echo
Express Pro are Thunderbolt expansion systems for PCIe cards.
Through their one or two PCIe slots, you may connect one or
two expansion cards, respectively, to your iMac®, Mac®mini,
MacBook®Air, or MacBook Pro to expand its capabilities in ways
never before possible!
While Echo Express chassis require no drivers, the expansion
cards you install do; Thunderbolt-compatible drivers to enable
them to work properly through the Thunderbolt interface are
required. More information on what cards are compatible with
Echo Express and Echo Express Pro is available at
http://sonnettech.com/support/charts/thunderbolt/index.html
231 9.09
71.4 2.81
63.5 2.50
FRONT VIEW
225 8.86
236.5 9.31
SIDE VIEW
225 8.86
379.5 14.94
SIDE VIEW

2
1 – Power Indicator LED
This indicator lights when the Echo Express is powered, the
Thunderbolt cable between Echo Express and your computer
is plugged in securely, and the computer powered on
2 – Locking Plate
This plate secures the top cover in place. Loosen the retained
thumbscrews to remove the plate and enable removing the
top cover
3 – Thunderbolt Ports
Connect a Thunderbolt cable between either port and your
computer’s Thunderbolt port; the other may be used to
connect another Thunderbolt device
4 – Power Input Socket
Connect the included AC power cable here
Chapter 2 – Echo Express Chassis’ Description

3
Echo Express Interior
1 – Port Access Cover
Although the Echo Express has only one PCIe slot,
it will accommodate a double-width card, and will
support an I/O plate that connects to the PCIe card;
remove as necessary
2 – PCI Slot
This slot accepts up to an x16 mechanical, half-
length (up to 7.75" long), full- height, double-width
PCIe 2.0 card, and is also compatible with PCIe 1.1
cards
Echo Express Pro Interior
1 – Port Access Cover
Remove this cover when installing a double-width
card, an I/O plate that connects to a PCIe card, or a
second PCIe card
2 – PCI Slot 1
This slot accepts up to an x16 mechanical, full-
length, full- height, double-width PCIe 2.0 card, and
is also compatible with PCIe 1.1 cards
3 – PCI Slot 2
This slot accepts up to an x16 mechanical, full-
length, full- height, single-width PCIe 2.0 card, and
is also compatible with PCIe 1.1 cards
4 – PCIe Card Guides
When installing full-length cards, use these guides
to support and secure the cards
Chapter 2 – Echo Express Chassis’ Description
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4
Chapter 3 – PCIe Card Installation Steps
Figure 1
Figure 2
Echo Express illustrations are used here; installation steps for both Echo
Express and Echo Express Pro are identical (except for installation of a
second PCIe card in the Echo Express Pro).
1. Remove the Echo Express chassis from its packaging, and then set it on
a flat, level surface.
2. Loosen the two captive thumbscrews securing the locking plate, and
then remove and set aside the locking plate (Figure 1).
3. Slide the top cover back straight back to remove it
(Figure 1).
4. Remove and set aside the screw used to secure a PCIe card from the
Echo Express chassis’ frame (Figure 2).
5. Optional: Remove and set aside the screw securing the port access
cover, and the port access cover when installing a second PCIe card
(Echo Express Pro only) or an I/O plate (Figure 2).
Support Note: To avoid damaging
components due to static electricity
discharge, wear an antistatic wrist strap
while working inside Echo Express.

5
Chapter 3 – PCIe Card Installation Steps
6. Remove a PCIe card from its packaging, handling the card by its edges
and without touching any components or gold connector pins.
7. Line up the card’s connector with the slot, and then gently but firmly
press the card straight into the slot; do not rock the card or force the
card into the slot. If you encounter excessive resistance, check the
card’s connector and the slot for damage, and then try inserting the
card again (Figure 3).
8. Secure the card using the screw you removed previously (Figure 3).
9. Optional: Install the second PCIe card into slot 2 following the
instructions in step 7 (Echo Express Pro only), or I/0 plate in the
second opening.
10. Secure the card or plate using the screw you removed previously
(Figure 3).
11. Replace the top cover, sliding it forward until it stops (Figure 4).
12. Secure the top cover by replacing the locking plate (Figure 4).
WARNING: When handling computer products, take care to prevent
components from being damaged by static electricity; avoid working
in carpeted areas. Handle expansion cards only by their edges and avoid
touching connector traces and component pins. Also, avoid touching the
Echo Express chassis’ circuit boards and any of its components.
Figure 3
Figure 4

6
Chapter 4 – Verify Connections Using System Information
Figure 5
Figure 6
A – Verify the Echo Express is Recognized
1. Power on the computer.
2. From the Apple menu, select About This Mac; the
System Information application will launch.
3. When the About This Mac window opens, click More
Info; a summary of specifications will appear.
4. Click System Report; a full report window will appear.
5. In the System Information window, click Thunderbolt
under the Hardware header in the left column
(Figure 5).
6. In the top right column under the Thunderbolt Device
Tree header, you will see the computer, followed by
“Echo Express PCIe 2.0” (Figure 5).
B – Verify Installed Cards are Recognized
1. When a card is installed into one of (or the) Echo
Express chassis’ PCIe slot(s), the PCIe slot (listed as a
port), the Status should appear as connected (Figure 5).
2. Click PCI Cards under the Hardware header in the left
column (Figure 6).
3. At the top of the right column, installed cards are listed.
By selecting a card at the top, detailed information is
listed. You should see “Yes” next to Driver Installed and
Tunnel Compatible, otherwise the card or driver may
not be Thunderbolt compatible (Figure 6).
Support Note: If you do not see “Echo Express
PCIe 2.0” listed, disconnect and reconnect the
Thunderbolt cable between the computer and Echo Express.
Note that it is not necessary to shut down the computer
before disconnecting and reconnecting the cable.
Support Note: While Echo Express expansion
chassis require no drivers, installed cards require
Thunderbolt-compatible drivers to enable their use.