High-bandwidth peripheral sharing and host switching
Thunderbolt and USB4 peripherals provide high data rates for pro workflows such as fast attached storage, multi-monitor docks, and studio audio interfaces.
These devices typically support only a single host connection. Acroname’s USB-C-Switch Pro routes the full Thunderbolt / USB4 link among up to four host connections, allowing one set of peripherals to be reassigned without unplugging cables.
Sharing Two Monitors and Peripherals Among Multiple Hosts
Many work environments involve more than one computer, such as a desktop workstation, a development system, and a travel / WFH laptop. When a Thunderbolt / USB4 dock is connected downstream of the switch, the entire set of connected displays and peripherals becomes shareable.
The dock provides DisplayPort output for monitors, downstream TB / USB4 for alt-mode or daisy-chained Thunderbolt displays, and USB ports for keyboards, storage, and other peripherals. When the laptop is selected as the active host, it can also receive power delivery over the Thunderbolt connection. The switch acts as a cable: the selected host sees the dock as if it was directly connected.
Host selection may be controlled through the software API using the control port or ethernet connection, or by using an optional momentary switch.
Sharing Thunderbolt NVMe RAID storage
High-speed NVMe RAID connected over Thunderbolt is widely used for media production, VFX, photography, and other applications that require very high sustained throughput. These storage enclosures typically limit access to a single host. In many workflows, more than one system needs access to the same high-speed storage.
In this scenario, the USB-C-Switch Pro switches access to a single Thunderbolt RAID device among two desktop PCs and a laptop. The selected host receives the full 40-Gbps Thunderbolt or USB4 link. Switching can be controlled by script or an optional physical button.
Thunderbolt-Based Studio Host Switching
Thunderbolt audio interfaces offer high channel counts and low latency performance for studio setups. With the USB-C-Switch Pro, control of the entire studio setup can be switched over to a laptop when needed. This allows visiting producers to use their own software workflow while taking advantage of the studio equipment.
In this example, a Mac Studio is set up as the default host, with connection through a USB-C-Switch Pro to a Thunderbolt dock. The Thunderbolt dock breaks out DisplayPort for display connection, multiple USB ports for SSDs, MIDI interfaces, control surfaces, and a downstream Thunderbolt port for daisy-chained audio interfaces.
Summary
The USB-C-Switch Pro extends Acroname’s industrial switching and control capabilities into workspace, media, and studio environments that rely on Thunderbolt and USB4 devices. It allows high-bandwidth peripherals such as docks, NVMe RAID arrays, and audio interfaces to be reassigned among multiple hosts without swapping cables. Flexible control and management supports a range of workflows that require switching fast point-to-point connections in multi-host environments.
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