Thunderbolt Control Center Extra Quality Online

Feature Draft: Thunderbolt Control Center 1. Overview Goal: Provide a centralized system utility to manage Thunderbolt 3/4/5 connections, device permissions, security levels, power delivery, and performance monitoring. User Value:

Clarity on which devices are connected over Thunderbolt. Easy approval/blocking of new devices (security). Diagnostic info for troubleshooting connectivity or bandwidth issues. Control over PCIe tunneling, USB4 fallback, and charging behavior.

2. Key Capabilities 2.1 Device Dashboard

List all connected Thunderbolt/USB4 devices (e.g., docks, eGPUs, displays, SSDs). Show connection topology (daisy-chain order, port mapping). Real‑time status: link speed (e.g., 40Gbps/80Gbps), negotiated protocol (PCIe, DP, USB3). Quick action buttons: Eject, Re‑authorize, Forget device. thunderbolt control center

2.2 Security & Authorization

Three security levels (mirroring BIOS settings):

No security – allow any device. User authorization – new devices need manual approval. Secure connection – only previously approved devices. Feature Draft: Thunderbolt Control Center 1

Per‑device persistent approval (with hardware ID & serial). Notification center integration: popup prompt when a new device is attached.

2.3 Power Delivery Controls

Show power direction (host → device / device → host / idle). For docks with PD: set max charging rate for laptop (e.g., 60W, 100W). Optional “battery health” mode – limit PD to 80% on pass‑through. Easy approval/blocking of new devices (security)

2.4 Bandwidth & Performance

Real‑time bandwidth usage per tunnel (PCIe, DP). Detect and warn when bandwidth saturation may affect display or storage. Ability to disable PCIe tunneling temporarily (for security or troubleshooting).