Fusion Thunderbolt 3 - External hard drive Sonnet - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	External Hard Drive Enclosure
Model	Fusion Thunderbolt 3
Interface	Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C compatible)
Supported Drives	Up to two 3.5" or 2.5" SATA HDD/SSD (host card included)
Maximum Capacity	Up to 32 TB (2 x 16 TB)
Dimensions (W x D x H)	8.7 x 5.1 x 1.7 in (220 x 130 x 43 mm)
Weight	2.6 lb (1.2 kg)
Power Supply	External AC adapter (12V/3A) or bus-powered via Thunderbolt 3 for low power drives
Data Transfer Rate	Up to 40 Gbps (Thunderbolt 3); up to 6 Gbps per SATA drive
Cooling	Aluminum enclosure with passive cooling (fanless)
Construction Material	Aluminum alloy with rubber feet
Operating System Compatibility	macOS 10.12+, Windows 10+ (via Thunderbolt 3)
Key Features	Daisy chain up to 6 devices, TRIM support for SSDs, UASP support
Maintenance	Clean exterior with dry cloth; avoid liquids
Safety	Operate on flat surface; do not block ventilation; keep away from moisture
Spare Parts & Repairability	Drive sleds and host card available; user-replaceable drives; contact Sonnet for other parts
Warranty	2 years limited (subject to region)
Package Contents	Enclosure, Thunderbolt 3 cable (0.5 m), power adapter, quick start guide

Frequently Asked Questions - Fusion Thunderbolt 3 Sonnet

What drives can I use with the Sonnet Fusion Thunderbolt 3?

The enclosure supports up to two 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA hard drives or SSDs. It includes a host card that connects both drives via Thunderbolt 3.

Is the Fusion Thunderbolt 3 compatible with Windows?

Yes, it works with Windows 10 or later if your system has a Thunderbolt 3 port. For older Windows versions, driver support may vary.

Can I daisy chain multiple Thunderbolt devices?

Yes, the Fusion Thunderbolt 3 supports daisy chaining up to six Thunderbolt 3 devices via its two Thunderbolt 3 ports.

What is the maximum storage capacity?

The enclosure can hold up to 32 TB total using two 16 TB SATA drives.

Do I need to install drivers for macOS?

No, macOS has built-in support for Thunderbolt 3. Just connect the drive and it will appear on the desktop.

How do I install a drive in the enclosure?

Remove the top cover, slide the drive into the sled, connect the SATA cable, and secure the sled. Then replace the cover.

Can I use the enclosure with USB-C devices?

Yes, Thunderbolt 3 ports are physically compatible with USB-C, but data transfer will be limited to USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) speeds.

How do I clean and maintain the Fusion Thunderbolt 3?

Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth to wipe the exterior. Avoid using liquids or abrasive cleaners. Ensure ventilation openings are clear.

Is the power supply included?

Yes, the package includes an external AC power adapter. For low-power 2.5-inch drives, bus power via Thunderbolt 3 may be sufficient, but using the adapter is recommended.

What should I do if the drive is not recognized?

First, check the Thunderbolt cable connection and power. Ensure the drive is properly seated. Try a different port or cable. If using Windows, verify Thunderbolt driver installation. For macOS, check System Information > Thunderbolt.

USER MANUAL Fusion Thunderbolt 3 Sonnet

FUSION™ THUNDERBOLT™ 3 PCIe® FLASH DRIVE

Quick Start Guide

You Should Have

The following items should be included in your product package:

• Fusion Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Flash Drive

Mac® Compatibility

• Macs with Thunderbolt 3 ports

- macOS® 10.12.6+

Windows® Compatibility

• PC with a Thunderbolt 3 port

- 64-bit editions of Windows 10, Version 1703 (Creator's Update) or newer

Preparing to Use the Fusion Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Flash Drive With a Mac Computer

The drivers required to support this product are installed as part of macOS; there are no preparation steps beyond updating your computer to macOS 10.12.6 or newer.

Preparing to Use the Fusion Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Flash Drive With a Windows PC

1. Update Windows. You must use Windows 10, 64-Bit Version 1703 or newer (also called the Creator's Update). To check the version number, type winver in the search bar and click enter.

2. Update your computer's BIOS to the latest version. If you need help updating your BIOS, contact your computer manufacturer.

3. Update your Thunderbolt Bus Driver to the latest version; you will need version 16.3.61.275 or newer. To check your driver version, go to Settings:Apps:Thunderbolt(TM) Software and you will see the version number. If it is not 16.3.61.275 or newer, then you need to update it. Check with your computer manufacturer for an update.

Black Fiji 3.0Fusion memory card with connected cable and USB port (no visible text or symbols on device body)

portNote: This document was up to date at the time of printing. However, changes to the hardware or are may have occurred since then. Please check the Sonnet te for the latest documentation.

1. Go to www.sonnettech.com/support/kb/kb.php
2. Click the Thunderbolt Product link.
3. Click the Fusion Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Flash Drive link, and then click the Manual link.
4. Click the Fusion Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Flash Drive QSG (Mac and Windows) [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.

Product Information

Using the Fusion Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Flash Drive – Windows Edition

Listed here is some general information about using this device with your computer:

First Time Use—Windows Users

The first time you connect the Fusion Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Flash Drive to your computer, an Approve New Thunderbolt™ Devices window will appear. From the drop-down menu select Always Connect, and then click OK.

Formatting the Drive

The Fusion Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Flash Drive is shipped from Sonnet unformatted. Use Disk Utility or Windows Disk Management to set up the device for use.

Product Description

Shown below is a picture and descriptions of the Fusion PCIe Flash Drive's connector and indicator.

Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C) Connector—Plug this connector into one of your computer's Thunderbolt 3 ports (often indicated by a ≤ logo), or at the end of a Thunderbolt device chain.

Drive Power and Activity Indicator LED—This LED indicates the drive's ready state (LED on), as well as read and write activity (LED flashing).

Known Issues

• While the Fusion Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Flash Drive features a 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 interface, some computers equipped with Thunderbolt 3 use an x2 PCIe lane implementation of Thunderbolt 3 technology that limits PCIe performance to 20Gbps, which will result in data transfer speeds of only up to 1,400 MB/s. The MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) has this limitation in the two right-hand Thunderbolt 3 ports, while offering full performance from the left-hand ports.
• The Fusion Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Flash Drive is not compatible with the Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 adapter; the drive requires more power than a Thunderbolt 2 connection can provide.

Advice

• For Mac Users: If you do not need to boot macOS from the Fusion flash drive, formatting it as ExFAT may deliver better performance than when it is formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled). If you need to boot macOS from the Fusion flash drive, it must be formatted as one of the Mac OS Extended formats.
• Always “eject”, “stop”, “unplug”, or “safely remove” the Fusion Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Flash Drive before disconnecting it from your computer or other Thunderbolt device ahead of it in a daisy chain.
• Disconnecting the Fusion Flash Drive while is transferring or receiving data may result in damage to the file(s) being transferred or cause your system to hang.
• You may connect the Fusion Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Flash Drive to, and disconnect it from, your computer while it is on; be sure to follow the above advice regarding disconnecting the drive.
• When plugged in at the end of a Thunderbolt 3 device daisy chain, the Fusion Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Flash Drive may not perform at its peak.