Thunderbolt Networking Support For Linux Revised Once More

Back during the summer we last wrote about Thunderbolt networking support for Linux being worked on. Back then the patches were up to its v3 revision while coming out today is the ninth version of these patches, but at least the end might finally be in sight.

These patches are about enabling computer-to-computer (P2P) networking over a Thunderbolt cable for non-Apple hardware. This work led by Apple creates a virtual connection emulating an Ethernet adapter and this Linux implementation is compatible with Thunderbolt networking on macOS and Windows systems too. This also works for Thunderbolt second and third generation controllers.

The Thunderbolt V9 Linux networking patches can be found on the kernel mailing list. Hopefully this work will be ready for Linux 4.10 or not long after.