Sonnet xMax User manual
User’s Guide
for xMac™mini Server
Thunderbolt™-to-PCIe®Expansion
System and 1U Rack Enclosure
for Mac®mini With
Thunderbolt Port
1 Introduction and Package Contents.............................................................................................................................................. 1
Introduction
Package Contents
2 xMac mini Server Description....................................................................................................................................................... 2
3 PCIe Cards, Computer, and xMac mini Server Installation Steps..................................................................................................4
A – PCIe Cards Installation Steps
B – Mac mini Installation Steps
C – xMac mini Server Rackmount Installation Information
4 Verify Connections Using System Information.............................................................................................................................11
A – Verify xMac mini Server is Recognized
B – Verify Installed Cards are Recognized
5 Tips and Known Issues............................................................................................................................................................... 12
Tips
Known Issues
6 Specifications, Precautions, FCC Compliance, and Support Information.........................................................................................13
Specifications
Safety Precautions
FCC Compliance
Contacting Customer Service
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Contents
Chapter 1 – Introduction and Package Contents
1
Congratulations on your purchase! xMac mini Server is a
PCIe 2.0 expansion system and 1U rackmount enclosure
for Mac minis with a Thunderbolt port. Through its two
PCIe slots, you may connect two expansion cards to your
Mac mini to expand its capabilities in ways never before
possible!
xMac mini Server has numerous thoughtful design
touches. The power supply and fans are user-replaceable.
The front panel USB port connects to the back of 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 Gigabit Ethernet,
USB, 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. An opening in the front panel allows the
Mac mini’s power indicator to shine through. 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 locking bracket for the Thunderbolt cables
and holes for cable ties enable you to secure all cables,
keeping them tidy while avoiding accidental disconnects.
While xMac mini Server 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
Chapter 2 – xMac mini Server Description
1 – USB 3.0 Port
This port connects to the Mac mini through a cable
attached to the front panel
4 – Power Input Socket
Connect the included AC power cable here
5 – HDMI Port
This port connects to the Mac mini through a cable
attached to the back panel
6 – USB 3.0 Ports
These ports connect to the Mac mini through cables
attached to the back panel
7 – Top Panel Thumbscrews
Loosen these captive screws to enable the removal of the
top cover, tighten the screws to secure the top cover
2 – Power Indicator Opening
This hole allows the Mac mini’s power indicator to shine
through
8 – Gigabit Ethernet Port
This RJ-45 port connects to the Mac mini through a cable
attached to the back panel
9 – External Cable Passthrough
This opening allows the connection of the included
Thunderbolt cable from the computer to the left
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
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
3 – Power Switch
This button activates the Mac mini’s power switch; xMac
mini’s PCIe slots’ power supply turns on and off along
with the computer
11 – Thunderbolt Ports
The left port is connected to the Mac mini’s Thunderbolt
port, the other may be used to connect another
Thunderbolt device
2
Chapter 2 – xMac mini Server Description
➊
➋
➌
➍
➎
➏
1 – PCIe Slot 1
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
2 – PCIe Card Guide
When installing full-length card, use this guide to support
and secure the card
3 – Power Hub
This hub routes power to the Mac mini and to the xMac
mini Server’s power supply
4 – PCIe Slot 2
This slot accepts an x8 mechanical, half-length, low-
profile PCIe 2.0 card, and is also compatible with PCIe
1.1 cards. Note that the use of a low-profile bracket on the
card installed in this slot is required
5 – Power Supply
This user-replaceable power supply provides
power to the xMac mini Server’s PCIe
slots, fans, and assorted printed
circuit boards 6 – Fan Assembly
This user-replaceable part provides airflow to cool the Mac
mini, installed PCIe cards, and other components inside
the enclosure
A – Thunderbolt Connector Lock
This lock secures Thunderbolt connectors when plugged
into the xMac mini Server’s Thunderbolt ports to prevent
accidental disconnection
B – Daughter Card Mounting Bracket and Screws
This bracket secures a daughter card, like the I/O card
included with RME‘s HDSPe MADI FX, inside the xMac
mini Server
3
AB
Chapter 3 – Computer, PCIe Cards, and xMac mini Server 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. Slide the top cover back and up to remove it (Figure 1).
4. Remove the strap securing the cables to the floor of xMac mini,
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
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
xMac mini Server’s circuit boards and any of its components.
Support Note: In order to install a PCIe card into slot 1, you will
need a short-handled Phillips screwdriver. In order to install a
card into slot 2, you will need either a standard 3/16" wrench, or a small
adjustable Crescent®wrench.
Chapter 3 – Computer, PCIe Cards, and xMac mini Server Installation Steps
A – PCIe Cards Installation Steps (continued)
5. If you are installing a PCIe card which includes a daughter card, install
the included daughter card bracket as shown, securing the bracket with
the screw through the bottom of the chassis (Figure 3).
6. If you are installing BNC connectors for a PCIe card, do so now
(Figure 4).
Figure 3
Figure 4
5
A – PCIe Cards Installation Steps (continued)
7. If you are installing a card into PCIe Slot 1, remove and set aside
the screw securing its port access cover, and then remove the cover
(Figure 5).
8. If you are installing a card into PCIe Slot 2, remove and set aside the nut
securing its port access cover, and then remove the cover (Figure 6).
Chapter 3 – PCIe Cards, Computer, and xMac mini Server Installation Steps
Figure 5
Figure 6
6
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