TaskForce system allows expanding its compatibility with other device interfaces via hardware extension modules.

How to plug an extension module

TaskForce system must be powered off before an extension module can be plugged:

  1. Power off TaskForce;
  2. Plug extension module into the Extension port;
  3. Power on TaskForce.

Thunderbolt extension module

With the help of Thunderbolt extension module TaskForce supports imaging, hash calculation, write protection on MacBooks with these interfaces: FireWire, Thunderbolt 2 and Thunderbolt 3 (2016 – 2017 models).

Thunderbolt extension

Connecting MacBook via Thunderbolt extension module

  1. Connect MacBook to TaskForce unit with the help of Thunderbolt extension and the FireWire cable. Use adapters if needed (included).
  2. To boot MacBook in Target Disk Mode, start it up while holding down the T key until you see a Firewire or Thunderbolt icon displayed on screen signifying Target Disk Mode.
  3. Power on TaskForce and wait for the booting to be completed.
  4. Open Device menu.
  5. Click the port in Extension section of the Device menu.
  6. In the Enter MacBook serial pop-up window, enter the serial number located on the bottom side of the MacBook and click OK.

Enter MacBook serial number

Apple PCIe SSD extension module

This module supports custom proprietary PCIe SSDs from Apple MacBooks (Mid 2013 – 2015).

Important: Drive hotplug is not supported yet. TaskForce must be powered off before installing or replacing drives.

Apple PCIe SSD extension

M.2 SSD extension module

Only M key interface drives are supported by this module. Differences between M.2 MVMe, M.2 SATA and M.2 PCIe support:

Features M.2 NVMe M.2 SATA M.2 PCIe
All TaskForce operations Partial Yes Partial
Drive hotplug No Yes No
Power management No Yes No

M.2 SSD features supported:

  • Max read/write speed: 1300MB/s
  • Damaged drive support
  • Calculate hash
  • Write protection

Connecting an M.2 NVMe or M.2 PCIe drive via extension module

Important: Drive hotplug is not supported yet. TaskForce must be powered off before installing or replacing drives.

M.2 PCIe SSD extension

Connecting an M.2 SATA drive via extension module

  1. Connect the eSATAp cable end to the extension
  2. Power off SATA or SAS port in Atola TaskForce software
  3. Plug M.2 SATA drive into the extension and fix it in place with the plastic latch
  4. Power on SATA or SAS port in Atola TaskForce software

For M.2 SATA, drive hotplug is supported. It allows installing and replacing drives by powering off the extension port in Atola TaskForce software.

M.2 SATA SSD extension

Yulia Samoteykina
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Categories: Atola TaskForce

Yulia Samoteykina

Director of Marketing Yulia believes that with a product that is exceptionally good at solving tasks of forensic experts, marketing is about explaining its capabilities to the users. Yulia regularly represents Atola at DFIR events, holds free workshops and webinars about Atola imagers functionality and advocates on the users' behalf to ensure that Atola keeps on adding value and raising the bar for the industry.

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