What is this thing?

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What type of connector is this? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by [email protected] to c/whatisthisthing

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Recently got a Sonnet xMac Pro Server case to put my MacPro6,1 into my rack. I'm getting things fitted into the Thunderbolt expansion housing and noticed this board with a socket on it. The board has power wired from the PSU, but there's nothing in the manual/product details (even though it's in the illustrations) that indicate what this connector is or what its intended purpose is. Can anyone enlighten me?

Edit: I just looked up a video of a version of this module with an outer case, for desktop use. Otherwise looks the same inside. It looks like this might provide power to 2 top-rear mounted fans. https://youtu.be/zG4I8q5JbyY?t=285&si=43mA0xhR-7ETQgPd

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[–] Brkdncr 13 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Considering it doesn’t have any logic and it says fanx2 I’d guess it’s a power supply adapter for 2 fans.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I initially thought that, too, but I've never seen a fan connector like what's on the board. Judging from the product shots and manual illustrations, the case appears to have all of its fans, and they have more direct connections to the PSU.

Not saying you're wrong (I have no idea lol) or arguing, just how I went from thinking fans too, to doubting it.

[–] Brkdncr 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Sort of looks like an early attempt at a hot swap connection.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

I think you're right. I just looked up a video of a version of this module with an outer case, for desktop use. Otherwise looks the same inside. It looks like this might provider power to 2 top-rear mounted fans.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

After finding a video for a VERY similar desktop version of this module, I'm inclined to think you're right now. The case for putting these on a desktop does have 2 fans mounted to the top rear. Disassembly in the video does not show or indicate that they have any power cables that require unplugging.

[–] HootinNHollerin 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

-X2 could be the revision

[–] neatchee 3 points 2 months ago

Last time I saw something like that was in a mini PC case and it was the socket for connecting the fan power switch. Like, there was a simple three-position slide switch on the back of the case to control the case fan speed (off, slow, fast), and there was a cable snaking from the switch to an edge slot connector like this.

You may need to contact Sonnettech directly for more info.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

What if it was a working protoype?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Maybe? It's brushed over and not directly acknowledged in any documentation for the products that show it. If it is, I'm surprised they didn't at least label it as such on the documentation so people would know it's not intended for consumer use.

[–] HootinNHollerin 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Often the X designation in the board revision denotes prototype (pre-production) And production starts with A and then is revised to B etc

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Have not seen this mentioned anywhere else so I'll add: this is a "board edge connector". A whole PCB will plug into this socket, rather than a plastic connector on the end of some wires.

Picture plugging a graphics card into a socket on a motherboard. It's that type of connector. The PCB it will plug into will have exposed metal pads on a bit that juts out.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 month ago

You are correct! I did get a reply from sonnet and there is a set of 2 fans I didn’t see in the case when I posted. This board plugs into their controller board when the inner case is slid into the outer case

[–] bamfic 0 points 2 months ago

Floppy drive