Technical white paper
HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3
& HP ZBook Dock with
Thunderbolt 3
Features and troubleshooting
Table of contents
First-time connection....................................................................................................................................................... 2
Best practice: docking/undocking.................................................................................................................................. 3
Updatable software, firmware and drivers related to the Thunderbolt 3 Dock.................................................... 3
Pre-boot support............................................................................................................................................................... 3
vPro support.................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Charging support from HP Dock..................................................................................................................................... 3
Display capabilities............................................................................................................................................................ 4
Legacy Thunderbolt support........................................................................................................................................... 5
Thunderbolt security levels: available functions and ports..................................................................................... 5
Troubleshooting common issues................................................................................................................................... 6
Technical white paper | HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3 & HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3
First-time connection
1. When connecting the Dock to your notebook for the first time you may need to authorize the Thunderbolt Device. In the
dialog that appears, select OK.
NOTE: You must be logged on as an administrator of the local computer.
To grant non-admin users the ability to press OK, do the following while logged in as an administrator:
a. Run the non-admin registry key. This can be obtained through the HP Technical Consultant assigned to your account.
b. Then install the Thunderbolt software.
Figure 1:Dialog box requesting administrative approval of a new Thunderbolt device.
2. A second dialog opens. Select one of the following options.
Do Not Connect prevents the dock from connecting to the notebook.
Connect Only Once allows the dock to connect to the notebook until it is disconnected. Each time the dock is
disconnected and reconnected, you must be logged on as an administrator to allow access to the dock.
Always Connect allows the dock to connect to the notebook. The dock can connect to the computer automatically
after it is disconnected and reconnected, even if you are not logged on as an administrator.
Figure 2:Dialog box to configure connection settings of a new Thunderbolt device.
3. Select OK.
Technical white paper | HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3 & HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3
Best practice: docking/undocking
It is recommended that the HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3 or HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3 be plugged into the
HP notebook or HP ZBook Mobile Workstation while it is fully on or fully off (not in a standby or hibernate state). When
detected, a Thunderbolt icon, shown in Figure 3, will appear in the system tray. At this point, the HP notebook or HP
ZBook Mobile Workstation will start initializing all the devices connected to the dock, so there might be a slight delay
before the devices are ready to use.
When removing the HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3 or HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3 from your HP notebook or HP
ZBook Mobile Workstation, it is recommended to unplug the dock first, wait until the Thunderbolt icon (see Figure 3) in the
system tray is gone, and then put the notebook or mobile workstation into Standby, Hibernate, Restart or Shut-down state.
Figure 3: Thunderbolt Software Icon in system tray.
Updatable software, firmware and drivers related to the Thunderbolt 3 Dock
The following section includes a summary of all updatable components that are related to the Thunderbolt 3 Dock. When
updating multiple components related to the Thunderbolt 3 Dock, it is recommended that each component be updated in
the order shown below, and that the computer is restarted after each component is installed before the next component
is installed.
Bios
Bios
DriverController
Intel Thunderbolt Secure Connect Driver
FirmwareDock
Thunderbolt 3 Dock Firmware
FirmwareSystem
Intel Thunderbolt Firmware Update Utility
Driver GraphicsIntel
Intel Graphics Driver
Driver GraphicsNVIDIA/AMD
AMD or NVIDIA Graphics Driver (depends on your notebook configuration)
DriverAudio
ASMedia eXtensible Host Controller Driver
DriverNetwork
Ethernet Controller Driver
DriverChipset
Conexant Audio USB Driver
Pre-boot support
The docking station is not supported in the pre-OS environment (PXE boot, USB devices in pre-boot, etc.). Peripherals
connected to the docking station do not function outside of the Operating System.
vPro support
vProTM functionality is not supported through the docking station Local Area Network (LAN). To enable vProTM support,
either access through a wireless network or by plugging into the LAN on the notebook or mobile workstation where
available.
Charging support from HP Dock
HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3 dock cable: dual custom ends (AC+USB Type-C to AC+USB Type-C)
Customized for HP ZBook Mobile Workstations only
High speed data transfer
Capable of charging mobile workstation
3
Technical white paper | HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3 & HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3
Figure 4:HP ZBook Thunderbolt 3 dock cable
HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3 cable: single custom end (AC+USB Type-C to USB Type-C)
Customized for 1012 G1 Tablet and EliteBook Folio G1
High speed data transfer
Capable of charging 1012 G1 Tablet and EliteBook Folio G1 only
Does NOT charge mobile workstations
Figure 5:HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3 cable
Third Party USB Type-C Cable: USB Type-C to USB Type-C
Users should ONLY use the cables that are shipped with the dock when connecting the dock to the notebook or mobile
workstation
Third Party cables are NOT supported for connecting the dock to the notebook or mobile workstation
Display capabilities
Multiple monitors support
HP ZBook Mobile Workstations using only an Intel HD graphics solution can support up to three displays, including the
mobile workstation display
NVIDIA graphics can support up to four displays, including the mobile workstation display
AMD graphics can support up to six displays, including the mobile workstation display
Hybrid graphics:
When used together, the HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3 and HP ZBook 15/17 configured with hybrid graphics, a
maximum of 6 independent displays are supported
When used together, the HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3 and HP ZBook Studio configured with hybrid graphics, a
maximum of 5 independent displays are supported
For more information on multiple displays, refer to the Multiple displays on HP ZBook Mobile Workstations whitepaper.
Technical white paper | HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3 & HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3
Refer to Table 1 below for HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3 display connection options.
Table 1.HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3 display configurations.
HP Thunderbolt 3 Dock Display Configurations @ 60 Hz
Dock Display Ports
Display Configurations
USB Type-C
DP
DP
VGA
(2) 4k Displays (A)
4096 x 2160
4096 x 2160
(2) 4k Displays (B)
4096 x 2160
4096 x 2160
(1) 4k and (2) 2.5k Displays
4096 x 2160
2560 x 1600
2560 x 1600
(1) 4k, (2) 2.5k Displays, and (1) FHD
4096 x 2160
2560 x 1600
2560 x 1600
1920 x 1200
(1) 5k (A)
5k DP cord 1
5k DP cord 2
(1) 5k (B)
5k DP cord 1
5k DP cord 2
(1) 5k and (1) FHD (A)
5k DP cord 1
5k DP cord 2
1920 x 1200
(1) 5k and (1) FHD (B)
5k DP cord 1
5k DP cord 2
1920 x 1200
(1) 5k and (1) FHD (C)
5k DP cord 1
1920 x 1200
5k DP cord 2
(1) 5k and (1) FHD (D)
5k DP cord 1
5k DP cord 2
1920 x 1200
(4) FHD Displays
1920 x 1200
1920 x 1200
1920 x 1200
1920 x 1200
5K Display
Requires (2) DP connections
One of the two DP connections must be made through the USB Type-C port. Refer to Table 1 for the docks display
connection options
AMD graphics require both connections of the 5K display to be made through USB Type-C ports
One of the connections must be through the notebook or mobile workstations USB Type-C port
The second connection can be to the notebook or mobile workstations 2nd USB Type-C port or the USB Type-C
port on the dock
None of the display ports on the dock can be used when a 5K display is active on AMD graphics
4K Display
Only one 4K at 60Hz display connection can be made to the display ports on the dock
In order to use a 2nd 4K at 60Hz display, the connections must be made through the USB Type-C port on the dock or
directly to the notebook or mobile workstation. Refer to Table1 for the docks display connection options
HDMI and USB Type-C
Displays connected to the HDMI, USB Type-C#1 and USB Type-C#2 ports on the notebook or mobile workstation
cannot be active at the same time
All four displays connected to the dock may be active only when both HDMI and USB Type-C ports on the notebook
or mobile workstation are not in use
When a display on HDMI (or USB Type-C) on the notebook or mobile workstation is active: either displays on (a)
docks USB Type-C or (b) Docks VGA+DP+DP can be active, but not both sets
Legacy Thunderbolt support
The use of legacy Thunderbolt devices requires a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt adapter
Thunderbolt security levels: available functions and ports
The Thunderbolt interface supports Direct Memory Access (DMA), which some customers consider a security risk. The HP
BIOS-based settings described here for the Thunderbolt connection policy allow the customer to select the appropriate
trade-off between convenience and security for the Thunderbolt-capable USB Type-C interface port on the notebook or
mobile workstation.
Technical white paper | HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3 & HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3
The Thunderbolt security level that controls the Thunderbolt connection policy of any USB Type-C connectors on the
notebook or mobile workstation can be changed in the bios setup. The bios setup can be accessed by pressing the F10
key when booting the HP Notebook or HP ZBook Mobile Workstation. The policies are also remotely manageable via
Public WMI interfaces.
Security level 0: PCIe and Display Port: no security
No security level. Any Thunderbolt device attached to the notebook or mobile workstation USB Type-C port or
the HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3 or HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3 will automatically be accessible without
approval
External displays will function when attached directly to the notebook or mobile workstation USB Type-C port or the
dock through display or USB Type-C ports
Security level 1: PCIe and Display Port: user authorization
This is the default BIOS policy. Same functionality as Security level 0, but the customer must approve access to
devices.
Each Thunderbolt peripheral, including the HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3 and HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3,
includes a unique GUID which is saved on the PC and used to determine if the device has been previously connected. In
the event the user has chosen to suppress future prompts for that particular GUID (device), the Thunderbolt device will
automatically be enabled when attached.
This policy also applies to any Thunderbolt peripherals attached behind the HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3 and
HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3 via the USB Type-C connector on the dock
Security level 2: PCIe and Display Port: secure connect
Same options as Security level 1 if the device contains a security certificate/chip
This option offers enhanced protection for authenticating a previously connected Thunderbolt device beyond relying
on a GUID provided by the attached Thunderbolt peripheral
When this policy is enabled and the user chooses to suppress future prompts for connection approval, the
Thunderbolt driver stack software on the notebook or mobile workstation will generate a unique secret key that is
sent to that Thunderbolt device and stored securely in non-volatile memory. Each time that peripheral is subsequently
connected, the notebook or mobile workstation will not only verify that the GUID has been approved for auto-connect,
but it will also use a challenge-response to the peripheral device to verify that the device is in possession of the
previously provisioned secret key. The Thunderbolt interface will only be enabled if it can prove that it possesses the
previously provisioned secret key.
Security level 3: Display Port and USB
All Thunderbolt functionality of the USB Type-C connectors on the notebook or mobile workstation is disabled
The HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3 and HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3 provides all peripheral device
functionality via a Thunderbolt interface. Thus, none of the ports on the HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3 and HP
ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3 will function in this mode.
The only USB Type-C peripherals that will be functional when connected to the notebook or mobile workstation
USB Type-C port are those that use a Native Type-C USB mode or DisplayPort alternate mode that uses DisplayPort
interfaces (and in some cases USB)
Troubleshooting common issues
Below are some issues that may be encountered when using the dock. For each issue, try the first step listed. If that does
not work, try the second step, and so forth.
The dock or peripherals connected to the dock do not appear in the OS:
1. Unplug and re-plug the dock
2. Restart your notebook or mobile workstation
3. Hardware reset (see description below for more details)
Technical white paper | HP Elite Dock with Thunderbolt 3 & HP ZBook Dock with Thunderbolt 3
A USB device connected to the dock stops functioning:
1. Unplug and re-plug the USB Device
2. Unplug and re-plug the dock
3. Restart your notebook or mobile workstation
4. Hardware reset (see description below for more details)
A display connected to the dock does not function:
1. Unplug and re-plug the dock and check if your display returns properly
2. If your notebook or mobile workstation has NVIDIA graphics, open the NVIDIA Control Panel and check Display/Set up
multiple displays. If you see Digital Display or one of your monitors listed twice (when you only have one of a specific
model) unplug and re-plug the dock again. If this doesnt work go to recovery method 4.
3. If the NVIDIA Control Panel lists all your displays but one is not checked, check that monitor and then click Apply in the
lower right hand corner
4. Restart your notebook or mobile workstation
5. Hardware reset (see description below for more details)
Video distortion or corruption appears on the displays:
1. Hit the windows key on your keyboard
2. Change DPI scaling to 225% or lower
a. Go to System Settings
b. Click on Display
c. Under the section Change the size of text, apps, and other items, set this to 225% or lower
Display changes mode after sleep, hibernate or restart:
1. Press the FN+F4 keys (you can also press the Win+P keys) and select the desired mode (Extended, Duplicate, PC Only,
Second Screen only)
To perform a hardware reset of your notebook or mobile workstation, follow ALL of the following steps
A hardware reset temporarily disconnects the internal battery to fully reset the system:
1. Power off the notebook or mobile workstation
2. Remove the AC power cord from the notebook or mobile workstation
3. Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds
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Copyright 2016 HP Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for
HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be
construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.
USB Type-C and USB-C are trademarks of USB Implementers Forum. Thunderbolt and vPro are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and
other countries. NVIDIA is a trademark of NVIDIA Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
4AA6-5088ENW, May 2016, Rev. 1
