Thunderbolt technology is an active cable technology with extraordinary promise. A single Thunderbolt technology connection includes two bi-directional streams, each with a potential bandwidth of up to 10Gb/s. As the illustration demonstrates, the streams run in opposite directions to support simultaneous operations: one bi-directional stream for data operations and another bi-directional stream for video operations. For example, files can be copied (upstream) while playing back an HD film from your computer (downstream). Certainly, it is possible to perform both actions with existing interface technologies but not at the speeds offered by a Thunderbolt technology connection. See the comparison in the illustration.

While maximum theoretical transfer rates are rarely sustained, it is no less impressive to imagine the amount of high-end data that can be passed to and from your LaCie eSATA Hub.

The back of the LaCie eSATA Hub Thunderbolt Series features two Thunderbolt technology ports for:

• Direct connection to a Thunderbolt technology compatible Macintosh computer
• Daisy chaining Thunderbolt compatible devices

Connect the cable to one of the interface ports on the back of your LaCie eSATA Hub and to your Macintosh computer. The additional Thunderbolt port may be used to daisy chain compatible computer peripherals, such as additional eSATA Hubs, hard drives, monitors, and much more. A single Thunderbolt technology line can have seven devices, including the computer. Consider the potential speed and availability of storage when daisy chaining six eSATA Hubs for a total of 12 eSATA enclosures.