Hi all,
I am wondering if TB4 or USB4 PCIe expansion cards can be used as some kind of HBA-alternative for external drive enclosure.
TB4 and USB4 can transfer 32Gbps (4GB/s) payload (40G in total). Both can tunnel PCIe. This means, it could be possible to tunnel M.2 / U.2 / other PCIe drives in an external drive enclosure via an PCIe switch.
I think this could be a nice alternative for NAS systems and an alternative to traditional HBAs with external SAS connectors. I am thinking about extending my ZFS based storage system with it if its working.
As far as I know, there are not much TB4 controller chips available on the market. Most devices use Intel 8000 series TB4 controller chips. These chips are available for different kind of applications:
Intel Goshen Ridge (JHL8440) for docking stations
Intel Maple Ridge (JHL8540 and JHL8340) host controllers – for use in computers, tablets, and other client devices
There are few PCIe TB4 / USB4 expansion cards on the market. Here are two examples:
As far as I know, most of these cards have some kind of display connectors, because Intels TB4 controller have DisplayPort 1.4a inputs, so you can connect a video signal to these inputs and transfer it over the USBC connector to a monitor.
Because most of these cards list some requirements like: "Only support Intel 500/600/700 series motherboard with JTBT+JUSB header " (the MSI one). Of course you need a mainboard with such connectors to use the DP 1.4a input. Its a nice feature, but is it mandatory ?
Here you can find a block diagram of the Intel 8000 series and some more details: Intel's Maple Ridge (JHL8540) Thunderbolt 4 Controller Now Shipping
There are already external drive enclosures with TB3 or TB4 connectors available for different drive form factors like M.2, 2,5", 3,5" drives:
skinflint.co.uk
Does anyone already have experience with this topic?
I am wondering if TB4 or USB4 PCIe expansion cards can be used as some kind of HBA-alternative for external drive enclosure.
TB4 and USB4 can transfer 32Gbps (4GB/s) payload (40G in total). Both can tunnel PCIe. This means, it could be possible to tunnel M.2 / U.2 / other PCIe drives in an external drive enclosure via an PCIe switch.
I think this could be a nice alternative for NAS systems and an alternative to traditional HBAs with external SAS connectors. I am thinking about extending my ZFS based storage system with it if its working.
As far as I know, there are not much TB4 controller chips available on the market. Most devices use Intel 8000 series TB4 controller chips. These chips are available for different kind of applications:
Intel Goshen Ridge (JHL8440) for docking stations
Intel Maple Ridge (JHL8540 and JHL8340) host controllers – for use in computers, tablets, and other client devices
There are few PCIe TB4 / USB4 expansion cards on the market. Here are two examples:
MSI Thunderbolt M4 8K PCIe Mainboard Expansion Card
Thunderbolt M4 8K PCIe Expansion Card Blitzschnelle Geschwindigkeiten und schnellere Konnektivität. Thunderbolt™ 4 ist zu einem Retter geworden, der mehrere Funktionen in einem Port bietet und jetzt häufig in Premium-Laptops und -Desktops zu sehen ist. Unterstützt bis zu volles...
de-store.msi.com
ThinkStation Thunderbolt 4 PCIe Expansion Card with HP Bracket | 4XF1L53431
Expand the capabilities of your ThinkStation with this Thunderbolt 4 PCIe Expansion Card. Comes with HP bracket. Great offers available!
www.lenovo.com
As far as I know, most of these cards have some kind of display connectors, because Intels TB4 controller have DisplayPort 1.4a inputs, so you can connect a video signal to these inputs and transfer it over the USBC connector to a monitor.
Because most of these cards list some requirements like: "Only support Intel 500/600/700 series motherboard with JTBT+JUSB header " (the MSI one). Of course you need a mainboard with such connectors to use the DP 1.4a input. Its a nice feature, but is it mandatory ?
Here you can find a block diagram of the Intel 8000 series and some more details: Intel's Maple Ridge (JHL8540) Thunderbolt 4 Controller Now Shipping
There are already external drive enclosures with TB3 or TB4 connectors available for different drive form factors like M.2, 2,5", 3,5" drives:
Hard Drives & SSDs Enclosures with Connection external: Thunderbolt Price Comparison Skinflint UK
compare prices and read user reviews for Hard Drives & SSDs Enclosures with Connection external: Thunderbolt
skinflint.co.uk
Does anyone already have experience with this topic?
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