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LightOne 25GbE Thunderbolt Docking Station

LightOne 25GbE Thunderbolt Docking Station

$399.00 USD
$899.00 USD $399.00 USD
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AC Socket
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Featured on

Tested: ~21–22Gbps real-world throughput

Dual 25GbE. Real dock. One cable.

Dual SFP28

2× 25GbE networking.

One cable

Display + I/O + 25G.

140W PD input

Stable power.

85W to host

Charge while working.

Daisy chain

Stack TB devices.

USB expansion

USB-C + USB-A.

SD / TF

Fast offload.

DisplayPort

4K monitor out.

Perfect for

Real-world 25GbE workflows—from media production to IT infrastructure and portable labs.

Editors / NAS

Scrub & offload faster.

IT / SMB infra

Deploy & move data.

Homelab / Mini PC

25G without PCIe.

Portable 25GbE

Fast storage anywhere.

Why Light One

Why dual-port matters

Dual ports aren’t about “double the speed.” They’re about flexibility—so your workflow stays fast even when the network changes.

Use 25G for your main link, and keep a second network for management, backup, or alternate access.

Power budgeting made simple

Bring power in once, and let LightOne handle the rest.

With USB-C PD input, it powers the dock and can deliver up to 85W to your host—keeping your workspace clean and predictable.

A real dock, not just a NIC

LightOne is built to replace the “pile of adapters.”

Display output, USB expansion, SD/TF access, charging, and 25GbE networking—all through one Thunderbolt connection.

Ports at a glance

Everything you need to understand the layout and speeds—right here on the page.

LightOne ports annotated diagram
No scrolling needed—this diagram summarizes the physical layout for quick purchase confidence.
Port list
  • 2× SFP28 25GbE
    Ultra-fast fiber/DAC connectivity (SFP-to-RJ45 adapters supported).
  • DisplayPort 1.4a
    Native display output (up to 4K).
  • Thunderbolt / USB4 ports
    Host Thunderbolt + downstream Thunderbolt for daisy chaining.
  • 4× USB-A (USB 3.0)
    Up to 5Gbps for peripherals and storage.
  • SD / TF (UHS)
    Fast media ingest (up to ~300MB/s depending on card).
  • USB-C PD input / host charging
    Up to 140W PD input; up to 85W to the host.

Trusted by Creators

Featured on ServeTheHome
Read the review ↗
STH

“ If you have a Thunderbolt equipped laptop or mini PC and want to access fast network storage, this is the best dock we have seen. ”

— ServeTheHome review
  • They measured ~21–22Gbps throughput and noted it’s still 2×+ faster than typical 10GbE Thunderbolt adapters.
  • They called out the value of the second port for multi-network workflows (e.g., 25G + 1G/10G).
  • One-cable dock convenience (network + I/O + charging) in a compact enclosure.
Read the full ServeTheHome review ↗ Back to buy
More highlights from the review

Real-world link utilization

On a 40Gbps Thunderbolt link, they saw ~21–22Gbps in testing (with a reported demo around 23.5Gbps).

Data-center NIC inside

They identified the 25GbE as an NVIDIA Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx class solution—serious networking in a dock.

Daisy-chain ready

They described two Thunderbolt 3 ports plus additional USB-C ports, enabling streamlined chaining.

A “real dock” I/O mix

They called out DisplayPort 1.4a, SD slots, and four USB-A ports—ideal for mini PCs and laptops.

Power budgeting matters

They noted up to 85W to the host and highlighted practical budget headroom for compact systems.

Portable 25GbE workflow

They emphasized it’s small enough to travel—use it as a portable 25GbE adapter when needed.

“Amazing Experience! Customer support is awesome (They respond quickly), and the dock is super compact for what it is (It's half the size of my previous TB3 dock - Kensington SD5200T). I hope they go on to make other great products!”

David Kandler
Kickstarter Backer

“The LightOne arrived on Monday, and I immediately put it to use on a new project. I'm attaching some photos so you can see one of its many possibilities. But you've probably already seen it in a thousand different ways!”

LightOne in a real creator setup (customer photo)
Daniele Magnani
Music creator

Real-world speed, independently tested

Evidence-first performance. We recreated a clean chart style and credit the results to the ServeTheHome review (paraphrased).

What this means in practice

  • ~21–22Gbps throughput measured in testing (ServeTheHome).
  • Still 2×+ faster than typical 10GbE Thunderbolt adapters for large transfers.
  • Dual ports enable multi-network workflows (25G + 1G/10G) without reshuffling your setup.

Results vary by host, switch, optics/DAC and workload.

Quieter Active Cooling (Updated Fan)

Measured at about 38.7 dB(A) from ~50 cm under default settings— engineered for a calmer desk experience.

  • At least 50% lower noise vs. the previous revision.
  • Designed for sustained 25GbE workloads.
  • Smarter fan curve for a calmer desk experience.
  • Optional WebUI fan-curve customization to match your preference.
Results vary with ambient noise, host load, fan profile, and placement.

Technical Specifications

All key specs in one place—easy to compare, screenshot, and share.

Networking

Network interface
2× 25Gbps SFP28 (supports 1/10Gbps SFP+)
RJ45 via adapter
RJ45 1 / 2.5 / 10Gbps (via SFP-to-RJ45 adapter)

Thunderbolt

Host connect
Thunderbolt
Daisy chain
Supported
TB side power
15W max (5V 3A)

Video

Video output
DisplayPort 1.4, up to 4K @ 60Hz

Ports & Readers

USB-A
3× USB 3 (5Gbps) + 1× USB 3 (10Gbps)
USB-C
2× USB-C (10Gbps)
TF reader
1× UHS-II SD 4.0 TF reader
SD reader
1× UHS-II SD 4.0 SD reader

Power & Cooling

Host charging
Up to 85W
Power input
DC 24V 5A / USB-C PD 3.1 24V 5A
Cooling
Active cooling (updated fan)
Notes: Compatibility and results may vary by host, OS, optics/DAC, adapters, and workload.

Our Promise to You

Designed for professionals, backed by real people who stand behind the product.

Fast support from real engineers

Talk directly with the engineers who build LightOne—not scripted call centers. We diagnose and solve issues with you, quickly.

1-year hardware warranty included

Every unit is covered for 12 months against hardware failure under normal use. No hidden conditions.

Replacement-only policy

If a covered defect appears, we replace the unit directly. No repair queues. No waiting weeks. Just a new unit.

FAQ

Compatibility, real-world bandwidth, and practical setup tips—kept here so it doesn’t interrupt the buying flow.

1) Thunderbolt required? What about USB4?

Yes—Thunderbolt is required for full functionality. USB4 hosts are supported because USB4 can include Thunderbolt compatibility, but not every USB-C/USB4 port behaves the same.

  • If your host says Thunderbolt 3/4, you’re good.
  • If your host says USB4, it typically works, but performance/features depend on the implementation.
  • A plain USB-C (USB 3.x only) port is not enough.
2) Why not full 25GbE line rate?

Because the device is ultimately constrained by the Thunderbolt 3 / 40Gbps link, plus real protocol overhead (PCIe/USB/TB tunneling, framing, etc.). Real-world throughput will land below the raw 40Gbps number. See the independent review for measured results. ServeTheHome

3) Can both 25GbE ports run full speed at the same time?

Think flexibility, not “two ports at 25G at once.” Both ports share the Thunderbolt uplink budget, so total throughput is bounded by the TB connection. The second port is most valuable for:

  • Multi-network workflows (e.g., 25G storage + 1G/10G management)
  • Bridging / segmentation between networks
  • Convenience when you need two links available without swapping optics/cables

Independent review discusses the dual-port value in practice. ServeTheHome

4) Which SFP28 modules / DAC are recommended?

For easiest setup, we recommend starting with passive SFP28 DAC cables for short runs (lowest fuss, low latency). For longer runs, use 25G SR optical modules + OM3/OM4 fiber.

  • DAC: best for short distances; simplest “plug & go.”
  • Optical: best for longer distances; requires matched modules and fiber.
  • SFP-to-RJ45 adapters: supported for 1/2.5/5/10G scenarios; expect more heat/power than DAC/optical.

If you tell us your switch/NIC model and distance, we can suggest a safe pairing.

5) Are modules / DAC included?

No. SFP28 modules and DACs vary by distance, switch/NIC compatibility, and whether you need fiber or copper. We keep LightOne flexible so you can choose what fits your infrastructure.

6) macOS / Windows / Linux support & drivers?

Windows: supported. Linux: supported (kernel/driver availability depends on distro). macOS: networking is supported, but jumbo frames are not supported on macOS at this time.

For best results, keep OS and Thunderbolt/USB4 firmware up to date.

7) Fan noise?

LightOne uses active cooling designed for sustained 25GbE workloads. We’ve also updated the fan and achieved at least 50% lower noise vs. the previous revision, with a smarter fan curve for a calmer desk experience.

8) DisplayPort max resolution?

Display output is DisplayPort 1.4, supporting up to 4K @ 60Hz (host and display capability dependent).

9) Host charging: what does “up to 85W” mean?

It means LightOne can deliver up to 85W of USB-C power to your host while handling I/O and networking. Actual charge rate depends on your laptop/tablet’s negotiated USB-C PD profile and system load. Review also notes host power behavior. ServeTheHome

10) What power adapter / PD input is required?

Power input requirement is DC 24V 5A or USB-C PD 3.1 24V 5A. Using a proper high-output PD 3.1 supply helps keep performance stable under heavy 25GbE + I/O workloads.

11) Will my switch / NIC / optics work?

In general, LightOne works with standard SFP28 modules and 25G DAC cables, but interoperability can vary by vendor coding/whitelists on some switches/NICs.

  • If you have strict vendor-locked gear, choose optics/DAC that your switch/NIC already accepts.
  • For homelab gear, DAC is usually the least troublesome starting point.
Tip: if you’re unsure about your host’s port type, search your model for “Thunderbolt 3/4” or “USB4 with Thunderbolt compatibility”.

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