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TerraMaster NAS Thunderbolt Direct Connection User Guide

Thunderbolt is a high-speed data transfer interface standard compatible with USB4 and USB3 devices, featuring high bandwidth and low latency. Through the Thunderbolt interface, users can establish a direct connection between a computer and a NAS for high-speed data transfer.

The Thunderbolt interface is known for its ultra-fast transfer speed. Thunderbolt 4 supports a theoretical bandwidth of up to 40Gbps, significantly outperforming traditional interfaces and greatly improving efficiency in large file transfer and real-time data processing scenarios.

Applicable Version: TOS 7.0.0616 and later

Note: The interfaces and screenshots in this document are for reference only. Actual display may vary depending on system version, client version, or device model. Please refer to the actual interface.

TerraMaster NAS Thunderbolt Requirements​

1. Supported NAS Models​

TerraMaster F6-425 Pro series devices are equipped with Thunderbolt 4 ports and support Thunderbolt direct connection.

2. Cable Requirements​

Use Thunderbolt-certified cables:

  • Thunderbolt 3
  • Thunderbolt 4
  • Thunderbolt 5

Cables are usually marked with the Thunderbolt symbol (⚡).

3. Computer Requirements​

The computer must be equipped with a Thunderbolt 3 or higher interface.

Note:

  • Thunderbolt ports look identical to standard Type-C ports but use different protocols.
  • macOS is recommended for better stability and driver-free experience.
  • Windows users must install Thunderbolt drivers manually and may experience compatibility issues or reduced upload performance.

Thunderbolt Direct Connection Steps​

1. Connect Devices​

Connect one end of the Thunderbolt cable to the TerraMaster NAS Thunderbolt port and the other end to the computer’s Thunderbolt port (usually marked with ⚡️; NAS port may be labeled USB 4).

TOSHelp_thunderbolt_direct_connect_001cn.png

2. Verify Connection Status​

Method 1:

After a successful connection, the system will automatically recognize the Thunderbolt network interface and assign an IP address, such as 169.254.xx.xxx.

In TOS, go to: Control Panel > Network > Interface to check the Thunderbolt interface status.

TOSHelp_thunderbolt_direct_connect_002en.png

If needed, you can manually configure:

  • IPv4 settings
  • IPv6 settings
  • MTU parameters

Method 2:

On the computer connected via Thunderbolt, launch TNAS PC. In the TNAS Devices menu, click refresh and wait for the scan to complete. Locate the device with the Thunderbolt icon, then click “Login” and enter the username and password.

TOSHelp_thunderbolt_direct_connect_003en.png

3. Test Transfer Speed​

After login, upload/download files in the file manager to test the performance of the Thunderbolt direct connection.