Network adapter Sonnet Solo10G Thunderbolt 3 to 10GBASE-T Ethernet, 10 Gbit/s (SOLO10G-TB3)

The Sonnet SOLO10G-TB3 adapter provides affordable, high-speed 10GBASE-T network connectivity for computers with Thunderbolt 3 ports. This compact, bus-powered Ethernet adapter features a single RJ45 port and supports 10 Gbit/s links over CAT6/CAT6A cabling as well as multi-Gig NBASE-T speeds (2.5/5 Gbit/s) over existing CAT5e installations. The unit is designed for quiet, portable use with a rugged aluminum case and a replaceable captive Thunderbolt cable.

Advantages

The SOLO10G-TB3 delivers 10Gb Ethernet performance in a pocket-sized, bus-powered adapter that requires no external power or fan. It supports NBASE-T for higher-than-gigabit speeds on legacy cabling, includes Energy-Efficient Ethernet (IEEE 802.3az) support to reduce power draw, and implements stateless offloads and 64-bit addressing to lower host CPU utilization during large transfers. Its firmware protection and hardware encryption help ensure secure operation, and the captive cable is user-replaceable if damaged.

Suitable for (tasks / use cases)

Key specifications

How to use

Connect the captive Thunderbolt 3 cable to a Thunderbolt 3 port on your Mac or Windows computer, then plug an RJ45 cable into the adapter and into your 10GbE or multi-gig switch or directly to 10GbE-enabled storage. Configure network settings through macOS Network preferences or Windows Device Manager / network settings. If using NBASE-T speeds, ensure the switch or router also supports multi-gig links.

Recommendations

Use CAT6 cabling for reliable 10 Gbit/s links up to 55 meters or CAT6A for up to 100 meters. For improved performance on existing CAT5e wiring, pair the adapter with an NBASE-T compatible switch to access 2.5/5 Gbit/s speeds without rewiring. Replace the captive cable only with approved Sonnet replacement parts.