How to connect to network (or USB device) through Thunderbolt?

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How to connect to network (or USB device) through Thunderbolt?

I just bought a new MacBook Pro, and the 27" Thunderbolt Display. I can connect my MacBook Pro and use the display as a 2nd monitor. I want to now plug my network cable into the Thunderbolt Display and have my MacBook Pro connect to the network. The network is DHCP. If I plug my MacBook Pro into the network, it connects. If I plug it into the Thunderbolt display, how do I connect my MacBook Pro to the network?

The same question holds for my external USB drive. If I plug it directly into my MacBook Pro, I can mount the drive. If I plug the drive into the Thunderbolt Display, my MacBook Pro never sees the drive. How do I fix this?

Thunderbolt Display-OTHER, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Oct 29, 2011 4:14 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 30, 2011 4:12 AM in response to ryangolhar

First, make sure you have all the updates for the

Macbook Pro installed, firmware and software.

Then you will need to install the Thunderbolt Display

firmware update. Also, do the Macbook Pro updates

disconnected from the display with its own power

adapter.

After this, for the network connection, if Display Etherenet

is not in the connection list, press the plus sign at the

bottom and add it manually. Select that interface, configure

using DHCP, then click the advanced button and in the

TCP/IP window, click Renew DHCP Lease button.

Just got my display yesterday and had to do the network

thing and it works fine (doing this on it now). My Macbook Pro

was already up to date and only had to apply the firmware update

and all works great.

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Answer 2

ryangolhar Author

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Oct 31, 2011 9:32 AM in response to ryangolhar

Thanks, after the updates, I plugged in the Thunderbolt display and the network and USB drive were recognized instantly.

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Answer 3

Nov 1, 2011 4:28 AM in response to ryangolhar

Glad to have helped.

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Answer 4

Oct 18, 2015 12:01 AM in response to woodmeister50

Thank you so much Woodmeister50 I have been thinking forever that I had either a bad thunderbolt adapter, so bought another one yesterday and tested (as router new ISP sent me is duff) and nothing, found your post switched off, renewed DCHP and works like a charm for the Thunderbolt ethernet connection until new router arrives 🙂

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