Sonnet xMac mini Server T3E User manual

User’s Guide
for xMac™mini Server Thunderbolt 3 Edition

1 Introduction 1
2 xMac mini Server Thunderbolt 3 Edition (T3E) Description 2
3 PCIe Cards, Computer, and xMac mini Server T3E Installation Steps 5
A – PCIe Cards Installation Steps
B – Mac mini Installation Steps
C – xMac mini Server T3E Rackmount Installation Information
4 Verify System and Installed Cards are Recognized 11
A – Confirm the xMac mini Server is Recognized
B – Confirm Installed Cards are Recognized
C – Install Card Drivers (If Necessary)
5 Tips and Known Issues 12
Tips
Known Issues
6 Precautions, FCC Compliance, and Support Information 13
Safety Precautions
FCC Compliance
Contacting Customer Service
Visit Our Website
Appendix A
A – Daughter Card Installation Steps
B – BNC Cable Installation
C – Fan Switch Setting Information
Contents

Chapter 1 – Introduction
1
Congratulations on your purchase! xMac mini Server
Thunderbolt 3 Edition (T3E) is a Thunderbolt 3 to PCIe card
expansion system and 1U rackmount enclosure for Mac
mini with Thunderbolt 3 ports. Through its two PCIe slots,
you may connect two expansion cards to your Mac mini to
expand its connectivity and processing capabilities.
xMac mini Server T3E has numerous thoughtful design
touches. The fans are user-replaceable. The front panel
USB-A port connects to the Mac mini, enabling you
to connect a keyboard, mouse, or thumb drive to the
computer without having to access its ports from the
back. Other Mac mini interface ports are extended to the
back of the chassis and mounted on the rear panel for
convenient interfacing of 10 Gigabit (or Gigabit) Ethernet,
USB-A, and HDMI cables. The xMac mini Server's power
switch turns the computer on and off, and the PCIe slots
are powered on/off with the Mac mini for maximum
energy savings. The front panel USB-A port lights up
when the computer is powered on. There's a central power
hub for the computer and power supply for the PCIe slots,
enabling you to power everything with one power cord. A
Thunderbolt 3 connector retainer clip and holes for cable
ties enable you to secure all cables, keeping them tidy
while avoiding accidental disconnects.
While xMac mini Server T3E requires 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 which cards are compatible with xMac mini Server
is available at http://sonnettech.com/support/charts/
thunderbolt/index.html
Support Note: This document was up to date at the
time of printing. However, changes to the hardware or
software may have occurred since then. Please check the Sonnet
website for the latest documentation.
1. Go to www.sonnettech.com/support/kb/kb.php
2. Click the Thunderbolt Product link.
3. Click the xMac mini Server Thunderbolt 3 Edition link, and
then click the Documentation link.
5. Click the xMac mini Server Thunderbolt 3 Edition User’s
Guide [English] link and then check the Document Version
information. If the version listed on the last page of this
manual is later than this document (revision A), click the
Download Now button for the latest version.

Chapter 2 – xMac mini Server Thunderbolt 3 Edition (T3E) Description
1 – USB-A Port/Power Indicator
This port connects to the Mac mini through a cable
attached to the front panel, and lights when the
computer is on.
3 – Power Input Socket
Connect the included AC power cable here.
4 – RJ45 Port (10 Gigabit or Gigabit Ethernet)
This port connects to the Mac mini through a cable
attached to the back panel.
5 – HDMI Port
This port connects to the Mac mini through a cable
attached to the back panel.
6 – USB-A Port
This port connects to the Mac mini through a cable
attached to the back panel.
2 – Power Switch
This button activates the Mac mini’s power switch; the
xMac mini Server T3E’s PCIe slots’ power supply turns
on and off along with the computer.
7 – Top Panel Thumbscrews
Loosen these captive screws to enable the removal of
the top cover, tighten the screws to secure the top cover.
8 – External Cable Passthrough
This opening allows the connection of the included
Thunderbolt cable from the computer one of the
Thunderbolt port on the xMac mini Server’s back
panel, and the connection of other cables to the Mac
mini’s ports or user-installed PCIe cards.
9 – Thunderbolt 3 Ports
Connect the included Thunderbolt 3 cable, or
comparable Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) cable, between
either port and one of your computer’s Thunderbolt
ports.
The second port may be used to connect to another
Thunderbolt peripheral device, display(s), or USB
device (when connected with the proper cable or
adapter).
10 – BNC Connector Mounting Holes
These holes accommodate the installation of BNC
connectors like those used for HD/SDI output for the
RED ROCKET transcoding card.
2

Chapter 2 – xMac mini Server T3E Description
1 – PCIe Slot 1 (Hidden)
This slot accepts an x8 mechanical, half-length, full-
height PCIe card, and is compatible with PCIe 3.0, 2.0,
and 1.1 cards.
2 – Thunderbolt Interface Card
This is installed into its own slot and may not be moved
to another slot.
3 – Power Hub/Power Supply
The hub routes power to the Mac mini and to the xMac
mini Server’s power supply, while the power supply
provides power to the xMac mini Server’s PCIe slots,
fans, and assorted printed circuit boards.
4 – Main Fan Assembly
This user-replaceable part provides airflow to cool the
Mac mini, installed PCIe cards, and other
components inside the enclosure.
5 – Power Supply Fan
This fan provides airflow to cool
the xMac mini Server’s
power supply.
6 – PCIe Card Guide
When installing a full-length card, use this to support
and secure the card.
7 – Auxiliary Power Connector
A few PCIe cards require extra power in order to operate.
When installing such a card, connect the supplied
auxiliary power cable between this connector and the
card’s power connector.
8 – PCIe Slot 2
This slot accepts an x8 mechanical, full-length, full-
height non-GPU PCIe card, and is compatible with PCIe
3.0, 2.0, and 1.1 cards.
3

Chapter 2 – xMac mini Server T3E Description
Offset Screwdriver
Use this tool to remove the screw securing the port access
cover for slot 1, and to install the screw securing the PCIe
card you install into it.
Daughter Card Mounting Bracket
This bracket supports the installation of a daughter card
that is in turn connected to the card installed into PCIe
slot 1.
Auxiliary Power Cable
This cable passes power between the xMac’s auxiliary
power connector and the PCIe power connector found on
some PCIe cards.
Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) Cable
Connect this cable between the xMac mini Server’s
Thunderbolt 3 port and your computer (or other
Thunderbolt device in the chain connected to the
computer).
ThunderLok 3 Thunderbolt Connector Retainer Clip
This secures a Thunderbolt 3 connector plugged into
the xMac mini Server’s Thunderbolt 3 port to prevent
accidental cable disconnection. This clip is compatible with
the included Sonnet 0.5-meter Thunderbolt 3 cable and
Sonnet 0.7-meter Thunderbolt 3 cables, but not with Sonnet
1-meter Thunderbolt 3 cables.
4

Chapter 3 – PCIe Cards, Computer, and xMac mini Server T3E Installation Steps
A – PCIe Cards Installation Steps
1. Remove the xMac mini Server from its packaging, and then set it on a
flat, level surface.
2. Loosen the two captive thumbscrews securing the top cover to the
rest of the enclosure (Figure 1).
3. Lift the top cover up and slide it back to remove it (Figure 1).
4. Remove the strap securing the cables to the floor of xMac mini Server,
remove the loose Thunderbolt cable and set it aside, and then move
the rest of the cables aside (Figure 2).
Support Note: To avoid damaging components due to static
electricity discharge, wear an antistatic wrist strap while working
inside xMac mini Server.
Figure 1
Figure 2
5
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
xMac mini Server’s circuit boards and any of its components.

A – PCIe Cards Installation Steps (continued)
5. If you are installing a card into PCIe Slot 1, remove and set aside the
screw securing its port access cover using the supplied offset screwdriver,
and then remove the cover (Figure 3).
6. If you are installing a card into PCIe Slot 2, remove and set aside
the screw securing its port access cover, and then remove the cover
(Figure 4).
7. If you are installing a full-length card into PCIe Slot 2, loosen the
thumbscrews securing the PCIe card guide, and then slide the guide
toward the main fans (Figure 4).
Chapter 3 – PCIe Cards, Computer, and xMac mini Server T3E Installation Steps
Figure 3
Figure 4
6

A – PCIe Cards Installation Steps (continued)
8. If you are installing a card into PCIe Slot 1, remove the card from its
packaging, handling the card by its edges and without touching any
components or gold connector pins. Otherwise, skip to step 12.
9. Line up the card’s connector with the slot, and then gently but firmly
press the card 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 5).
10. Using the supplied offset screwdriver, secure the card using the screw
you removed previously (Figure 5).
11. If you installed a card that includes a daughter card, skip to the
appendix, page A, at the end of this document for instructions on
installing the included daughter card mounting bracket and the
daughter card. Otherwise, go to the next step.
12. If you are installing a card into PCIe Slot 2 that includes BNC
connectors, skip to the appendix, page B, at the end of this document
for instructions on installing the connectors. Otherwise, go to the
next step.
13. If you are installing a card into PCIe Slot 2, remove the card from its
packaging, handling the card by its edges and without touching any
components or gold connector pins.
14. Turn the card components side down, line up the card’s connector
with the slot, and then gently but firmly press the card 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 6).
15. Secure the card using the screw you removed previously (Figure 6).
16. If you installed a full-length card, slide the PCIe card guide onto the
card, and then tighten the guide’s thumbscrews (Figure 6).
Chapter 3 – PCIe Cards, Computer, and xMac mini Server T3E Installation Steps
Figure 5
Figure 6
7

A – PCIe Cards Installation Steps (continued)
17. Connect one end of the supplied Thunderbolt 3 cable to either one
of the xMac mini Server T3E’s Thunderbolt 3 ports, and then route
the other end of the cable through the external cable passthrough
(Figure 8). Secure the retainer clip to the xMac mini Server if you
attached it.
18. Route any external cables that need to be connected to the computer
(or PCIe cards) through the cable passthrough opening.
19. If desired, secure the cables to the bottom of the xMac mini Server with
cable ties.
Chapter 3 – PCIe Cards, Computer, and xMac mini Server T3E Installation Steps
Figure 7
Figure 8
8
Support Note: Sonnet’s ThunderLok™ 3 Thunderbolt connector
retainer clip secures the included Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) cable to
the xMac mini Server T3E to prevent accidental disconnects. It is compatible
with Sonnet 0.5-meter and 0.7 Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) cables, but not
compatible with Sonnet 1-meter Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) cables.
To attach the clip to the cable, remove both from their packaging, and then
insert the connector through the connector clip as shown (Figure 7). Note
that the connector will pass all the way through the clip; when you connect
the cable to the chassis, the clip will secure the connector.