Intel Working On Thunderbolt Security Levels For Linux, Firmware Updates

[torsionbar28]

So many creative new ways to get PCI-E outside of the box. ExpressCard, NVMe M.2, Thunderbolt, who knows what's next.

[nils_]

Intel has 40 Gbps Ethernet which I'm told is essentially Thunderbolt masquerading as Ethernet, although I'm not sure if you can connect one to a Thunderbolt port. It's all ridiculously high speed serial data transmission.

Actually it's not related to Thunderbolt at all. The connector used here is called QSFP+ which allows different types of transceivers (for fiber or electrical). It might be possible though to implement fast networking over Thunderbolt similar to IPoIB (IP over Infiniband).

[carewolf]

I have couple of tablets with Thunderbolt (Dell 5855 and Dell 9250). And as far I can tell Thunderbolt-based docks (like Dell TB16) is more useful than USB3.1-based docks (like Dell WD15). With Thunderbolt you can connect more displayes with higher resolution and/or refresh rate.

Do you have Thunderbolt3 displays? I only thought one existed. If not you are just using DisplayPort which USB-C already fully supports without help from ThunderBolt.

[RussianNeuroMancer]

If not you are just using DisplayPort which USB-C already fully supports without help from ThunderBolt.

Can you connect three FHD displays or couple of 4K by using only USB-C? At 60 Hz (or more) of course.

[carewolf]

Can you connect three FHD displays or couple of 4K by using only USB-C? At 60 Hz (or more) of course.

USB-C switches to displayPort protocol and so do ThunderBolt unless you have a rare ThunderBolt monitor, so it depends on the DisplayPort standard supported by your GPU and monitor.

[Zan Lynx]

I want to point out that USB-C by itself does not support DisplayPort or Thunderbolt. What it does support is alternate modes, which lets OTHER systems use the USB-C port for their data streams.

If you have a USB-C add-in card, it won't do anything but USB. It may have internal ports for connecting DP or Thunderbolt, but that isn't required.

USB-C built in to a laptop will most likely have everything else the laptop supports wired in.

USB-C built into a desktop board will likely only provide DisplayPort video from the integrated GPU. It might support copying the frame buffer from a discrete GPU, like Optimus does.