Are there problems when using a USB3 hub connected to a Thunderbolt dock?
Are there problems when using a USB3 hub connected to a Thunderbolt dock?
Hi all,
I am using a Corsair TBT200 thunderbolt dock connected to my M2 Macbook Pro running Ventura. For some USB A devices I have, I connected a TP-Link UH720 hub to one of the TBT200's USB A ports (I have more USB A devices than the TBT200 has ports for). The weird thing is that only 3 of the 7 ports on the TP-Link hub work.
For more context:
I have the TP-Link hub connected to AC power adapter, so it shouldn't be overdrawing power from the TBT200.
The other 4 ports on the TBT200 *do* seem to supply power to a connected device, but no data connection/the device is not seen by the computer
System Information > Hardware > USB seems to show the TP-Link as a "4-port" hub. Again, only 3 of the ports actually seem to work fully
It is 3 specific ports on the TP-Link hub that work (presumably the "first" three?) i.e. I can't use *any* three, only three specific ones.
TP-Link hub works fine on its own with all ports working as expected.
It would *greatly* simplify my set up if I could use more of the ports on the TP-link for low-bandwidth peripherals, so I'm trying to see if this is an issue that can be fixed. If it really is just an unavoidable consequence of trying to chain these things, I can deal with it and try to work around. But I haven't seen a clear reason why yet so still hoping there is a solution. Let me know if more info would help. Thanks in advance for any insights or suggestions!
Here are some thoughts on your questions.
1. Do you have the power supply module for the Corsair TBT200 connected?
2. Are there any settings in the TBT200 drivers or configuration files to restrict active ports or define data rates for each port? (Usually, devices like Type A Superspeed ports should automatically negotiate a data rate with any connected device.)
3. Have you tested connecting the TPLink UH720 to various Superspeed ports on the TBT200?
4. Could the UH720 be defective even though it functions correctly when not connected to the TBT200?
Connectivity setup is as follows: M2 Macbook Pro connects to [Port ?] via Corsair TBT200 thunderbolt dock with a USB A port, which then links to [USB port X]. The TP Link UH700 supports multiple USB ports. This TBT200 model?
https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/hubs-doc...9000002-na
Is the TP-Link UH720 hub equipped with 7 USB ports?
https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-networki...hub/uh720/
Have any Thunderbolt software or drivers been installed?
Reference:
https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/hub...hu...-downloads
Thank you for your response! Here’s the revised version.
Re: connectivity, yes that's the concept. Including a bit more information now.
M2 Macbook Pro [TB4] < ----->[Front TB4 host port with charging] Corsair TBT200 thunderbolt dock [Rear USB A Superspeed port] <-----> [Host USB port] TP Link UH700 [USB ports] <------> additional devices (such as mouse, keyboard, low-power mic preamp for dictation, low-power MIDI devices, etc.)
Re: hardware
Correct setup confirmed: TBT200 and TP-Link UH720 hub.
Re: drivers
Installed the Tunderbolt utility from Corsair as described here:
https://help.corsair.com/hc/en-us/a...0-...ck-Utility
(Version v1.5.2)
Consider if the Corsair TBT200 has the power supply module connected.
Check if there are settings in the TBT200 drivers or configuration files to restrict active ports or define data rates for each port.
Test connecting the TPLink UH720 to various Superspeed ports on the TBT200.
Explore whether the UH720 might be defective even when functioning correctly without the TBT200.
Paperdoc, after reviewing your suggestions and trying a few adjustments, I believe I’ve solved the issue!
In short, inserting the UH720 into the front USB A port on the TBT200 works as expected.
In detail, examining the MacOS system information window suggests a potential problem with USB chain depth. The TBT200 treats its front USB A port as a top-level connection, while the back ports are seen as secondary hubs linked to it. Meanwhile, the UH720 treats its first three ports as top-level and the next four as secondary hubs. This layered structure adds extra chain depth, possibly causing the last four ports of the UH720 to be overlooked.
It’s a bit inconvenient to rely on the front port for certain devices, but it gives me more USB options. I also gained some understanding about USB chaining during this process.
Thanks again!
"Learned a bit more ..." - Me Too! I have never encountered this detail in USB chaining. I just assumed the chains had almost unlimited depth, I guess. Now I'm thinking about why?, and I have a SPECULATION - definitely not a fact. As a system boots, every device goes though an initialization process. One aspect of that often is that it inquires all subsidiary devices to verify that they are working properly before relying on them. Of course, there is a time-out limit on how long they will wait for a positive result from a downstream device. So MAYBE if the chain is too long, the last device cannot complete its initialization and reply properly before the first device times out. The the last device might not be recognized.
Irrespective of the real cause, it is very useful for all of us here to learn this limit. Thanks for telling us. And thanks for Solution.