Thunderbolt 2 to Ethernet adapter - says 2.5GT/s but limited to 1000base-t??

Question

Thunderbolt 2 to Ethernet adapter - says 2.5GT/s but limited to 1000base-t??

I am on 2GB base-t fiber connection using Cat6 shielded cable to 2.5GB base-t unmanned switch... via 2.5GB base-t Cirago thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter since my OEM Ethernet port only goes to Gigabit (1000 base-t) connect speeds...

Is this an OS limitation? I have a Late 2014 Mac Mini. Totally not understanding why on earth it clearly says 2.5G on PCIe Link Speed and then maxes out at the bottom with Gigabit, I'm really confused.

Any feedback would be appreciated, and this screen grab is off System Profiler.

At this point, I'm at my wit's end. Plus, this adapter seems almost .. slow .. compared to OEM port.

Mac mini, macOS 12.3

Posted on Jun 6, 2022 11:07 PM

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Answer 1

Allan Jones

Level 9

73,064 points

Jun 7, 2022 11:45 AM in response to amybarnes_usa

From Apple's published specs, it appear that starting with the 2018 Minis, you could up-spec to 10GB ethernet at time of ordering, but the standard ethernet port was 1GB:

Mac mini (2018) - Technical Specifications

Mac mini (M1, 2020) - Technical specifications

An adapter cannot make a port faster.

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Answer 2

Jun 7, 2022 5:16 AM in response to amybarnes_usa

PCIe Link Speed is the speed of the PCIe bus itself and has nothing to do with the actual ethernet link, which is managed by the ethernet controller that is connected via PCIe.

As to why the ethernet link itself is only 1 Gb/s, it could be you need the proper drivers for your add on device.

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Answer 3

Jun 7, 2022 1:14 PM in response to Allan Jones

So if the adapter converted a Thunderbolt 2 port on 2014 Mini to Ethernet 2.5GBps base-t... I wonder how a Late 2014 mini would handle that? This is a new adapter I got that is actually made by / for Apple.

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Answer 4

Jun 8, 2022 5:23 AM in response to amybarnes_usa

What is the link to the product page of the adapter that you have?? I could only find the Gigabit ethernet adapter for Thunderbolt2.

Also, internet speed tests are not always a reliable measure of network speeds since they can be affected my a myriad of things external to your home or business.

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Answer 5

Jun 8, 2022 2:09 PM in response to Lanny

The one I have that is third party is USB-C to Ethernet. I'll have to find a way to get a USB-C female to Thunderbolt 2 male converter to try this third party dongle device.

Thanks for getting me the answer.

😓

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Answer 6

Jun 9, 2022 5:37 AM in response to amybarnes_usa

amybarnes_usa wrote:

The one I have that is third party is USB-C to Ethernet. I'll have to find a way to get a USB-C female to Thunderbolt 2 male converter to try this third party dongle device.

Thanks for getting me the answer.

😓

Thunderbolt 2 is not compatible with USB. You will need a Thunderbolt2 dock (if you can still find one) in order to use a USB device with a USB-C connector. A simple adapter will not work.