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Q: Thunderbolt format connection - is it SATA ?

I have an external HD attach to my iMac via Thunderbolt connection / cable .

I've formatted the HD myself to use it as a CrashPlan Backup drive and from time to time I have Sync issues between the iMac and the HD .

Because of the Thunderbolt connection method , Is there a special OS X format preference to make ?

Or Is  the connection SATA is the right one (?)

See pic :

Thanks


 


Screen Shot 2016-01-30 at 09.06.00.png



Screen Shot 2016-01-30 at 09.06.12.png

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11), null

Posted on Jan 29, 2016 11:27 PM

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Q: Thunderbolt format connection - is it SATA ?

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  • by chroot,Helpful

    chroot chroot Jan 30, 2016 5:17 AM in response to rony-z
    Level 4 (1,099 points)
    Jan 30, 2016 5:17 AM in response to rony-z

    The disk probably has a SATA interface (like most disks for the last 10+ years use) to connect to the enclosure.  Regardless of how the enclosure is connected to the computer (USB, FireWire, Thunderbolt, etc..) it will still show the connection type as SATA because that's the physical interface the hard drive has on it.

     

    I'm not sure how the bus interface is relevant to the issue with the backup software.

  • by Rudegar,Helpful

    Rudegar Rudegar Jan 30, 2016 5:18 AM in response to rony-z
    Level 7 (29,028 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 30, 2016 5:18 AM in response to rony-z

    read somewhere that thunderbolt is a multiplex of pci-express and displayport so not it will not connect directly to a SATA disc but there are likely enclosures

    non ssd disks are not fast enough to meet the speed of SATA or thunderbolt and many such interfaces

  • by chroot,Solvedanswer

    chroot chroot Jan 30, 2016 3:34 AM in response to Rudegar
    Level 4 (1,099 points)
    Jan 30, 2016 3:34 AM in response to Rudegar

    SATA

     

    SATA_Data_Cable.jpg

     

    Thunderbolt

    thunderbolt-connector-100054566-large.jpg

     

    The interface that connects the drive to the enclosure is SATA.  The interface that connects the enclosure to the computer is Thunderbolt.  What you see for connection type in Disk Utility is the interface that is located on the disk.

     

    Micro_SATA_pin-out_on_1.8-inch_Toshiba_hard_drive.png

    On the left is the SATA data connector and on the right is the SATA power connector.  You see SATA in Disk Utility because the drive has a SATA data connector.  Hope this makes things clearer.

     

     

    Images from wikipedia.org

  • by rony-z,

    rony-z rony-z Jan 30, 2016 5:19 AM in response to chroot
    Level 1 (47 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 30, 2016 5:19 AM in response to chroot

    Thank you very much all.