A guide to Docking Stations and Port Replicators on Dell Latitude and Precision Notebooks

The following article provides information on the various docking stations used with Dell Latitude and Precision Laptops

1. Benefits to using a Docking Solution

By using a docking station on a desk with regular access to additional storage, printers and other peripherals, you can gain the benefits of a desktop computer without sacrificing the portability of your notebook system. Some docks can also be attached to other peripherals, such as a monitor stand, giving you the freedom to set up your workspace in a configuration that works best for you. The access to a greater number and variety of connector ports for example will allow you to use a number of external monitors connected to your notebook system through the ports on the dock. You can plug up additional peripherals using these additional USB ports as well.

Note: Docking stations are also known as Port replicators and Docks. People using these terms are talking about a peripheral that gives a notebook system access to a greater number and variety of connector ports than exist on the notebook system alone.

You can connect/dock or disconnect/undock your notebook without first powering off your system or even logging out of Windows. This method is known as hot docking. There's also no need to create docked or undocked profiles on your system; when the e-series changed to a USB docking connection your operating system will automatically recognise the connected devices and adjust accordingly.

Any dock released since the E-Port II dock will have DisplayPort 1.2 as standard, please check out the article below if you're looking to get the most out of this standard:

How to Configure U2415 Monitor Daisy Chaining on Intel HD Graphics

2. Docking Peripheral Features

The following drawers contain information on the various features available on the various docks currently available for Latitude and Precision Mobile systems. Please click on the drawer of the docking station type you want to show the information within.

Docking Stations that connect to the base of the system

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E-Port

(Fig.1.1 E-Port Dock)

Connector Type	No. of Ports available
E-Monitor Stand Connector	1
USB or eSata Connector	1
USB 3.0	0
USB 2.0	5
PS/2 Connector	0
Network Connector	1
Serial Connector	0
Parallel Connector	0
VGA Connector	1
DVI Connector	1
DisplayPort Connector	1
AC Adapter Connector	1
Audio Connector	2
Security Cable Slot	1

E-Port Plus

(Fig.1.2 E-Port Plus)

Connector Type	No. of Ports available
E-Monitor Stand Connector	1
USB or eSata Connector	1
USB 3.0	0
USB 2.0	5
PS/2 Connector	2
Network Connector	1
Serial Connector	1
Parallel Connector	1
VGA Connector	1
DVI Connector	2
DisplayPort Connector	2
AC Adapter Connector	1
Audio Connector	2
Security Cable Slot	1

E-Legacy Expansion Port

(Fig.1.3 E-Legacy Expansion Port Replicator)

Connector Type	No. of Ports available
E-Monitor Stand Connector	0
USB or eSata Connector	0
USB 3.0	0
USB 2.0	2
PS/2 Connector	2
Network Connector	0
Serial Connector	1
Parallel Connector	1
VGA Connector	0
DVI Connector	0
DisplayPort Connector	0
AC Adapter Connector	0
Audio Connector	0
Security Cable Slot	0

E-Port II

(Fig.1.4 E-Port II)

Note: The latitude E5X40/50 and E7X40/50 series of systems should be used with a spacer when docked, to help prevent damage to the docking ports of the system and dock.

E-Port II - Visual Guide to your Dock.

Connector Type	No. of Ports available
E-Monitor Stand Connector	1
USB or eSata Connector	1
USB 3.0	2
USB 2.0	3
PS/2 Connector	0
Network Connector	1
Serial Connector	0
Parallel Connector	0
VGA Connector	1
DVI Connector	1
DisplayPort Connector	1
AC Adapter Connector	1
Audio Connector	2
Security Cable Slot	1

E-Port Plus II

(Fig.1.5 E-Port Plus II)

Note: The latitude E5X40/50 and E7X40/50 series of systems should be used with a spacer when docked, to help prevent damage to the docking ports of the system and dock.

E-Port Plus II - Visual Guide to your Dock.

Connector Type	No. of Ports available
E-Monitor Stand Connector	1
USB or eSata Connector	1
USB 3.0	2
USB 2.0	3
PS/2 Connector	2
Network Connector	1
Serial Connector	1
Parallel Connector	1
VGA Connector	1
DVI Connector	2
DisplayPort Connector	2
AC Adapter Connector	1
Audio Connector	2
Security Cable Slot	1

E-Monitor

(Fig.1.6 E-Monitor Stand - Needs Docking Station)

Note: This device is compatible with the E-Port, E-Port Plus, E-Port II and E-Port Plus II docks.

E-Monitor - Visual Guide to your Stand.

E-Flat Panel

(Fig.1.7 E-Flat Panel Stand - Needs Docking Station)

Note: This device is compatible with the E-Port, E-Port Plus, E-Port II and E-Port Plus II docks.

E-Flat Panel - Visual Guide to your Stand.

E-View

(Fig.1.8 E-View Stand - Needs docking station)

Note: This device is compatible with the E-Port, E-Port Plus, E-Port II and E-Port Plus II docks.

E-View - Visual Guide to your Stand.

Docking Stations that connect to tablet systems

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Latitude ST Dock

(Fig.2.1 Latitude ST Dock)

Latitude ST: Docking Station Guide

Connector Type	No. of Ports available
USB 3.0	0
USB 2.0	3
Network Connector	1
DisplayPort Connector	0
AC Adapter Connector	1
Audio Connector	1
Security Cable Slot	1
HDMI	1

Tablet Desktop Dock

(Fig.2.2 Tablet Desktop Dock)

Latitude: Visual Guide to your Tablet Desktop Dock

Connector Type	No. of Ports Available
USB 3.0	3
USB 2.0	0
Network Connector	1
DisplayPort Connector	1
AC Adapter Connector	1
Audio Connector	1
Security Cable Slot	1
HDMI	1

Docking Stations that connect to the system using a Wireless signal

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Dell Wireless D5000 Dock

(Fig.3.1 Dell Wireless D5000 Dock)

Dell Wireless Dock D5000 - Visual guide to your Dock

Connector Type	No. of Ports available
E-Monitor Stand Connector	1
USB or eSata Connector	1
USB 3.0	0
USB 2.0	5
PS/2 Connector	0
Network Connector	1
Serial Connector	0
Parallel Connector	0
VGA Connector	1
DVI Connector	1
DisplayPort Connector	1
AC Adapter Connector	1
Audio Connector	2
Security Cable Slot	1

Dell WiGig Wireless WLD15 Dock

(Fig.3.2 Dell WLD15)

Dell WiGig Wireless WLD 15 Docking Station - Visual Guide to your Dock

Connector Type	No. of Ports available
E-Monitor Stand Connector	1
USB or eSata Connector	1
USB 3.0	0
USB 2.0	5
PS/2 Connector	2
Network Connector	1
Serial Connector	1
Parallel Connector	1
VGA Connector	1
DVI Connector	2
DisplayPort Connector	2
AC Adapter Connector	1
Audio Connector	2
Security Cable Slot	1

Docking Stations that connect to a Ruggedised system

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Rugged Desk Dock

(Fig.4.1 Rugged Desk Dock)

Rugged Desk Dock: Visual Guide to your Dock.

Connector Type	No. of Ports available
E-Monitor Stand Connector	0
USB or eSata Connector	0
USB 3.0	3
USB 2.0	1
PS/2 Connector	0
Network Connector	1
Serial Connector	1
Parallel Connector	0
VGA Connector	1
DVI Connector	0
DisplayPort Connector	0
AC Adapter Connector	1
Audio Connector	2
Security Cable Slot	1

Docking Stations that connect to the system using a docking cable

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Dell SuperSpeed D3000 USB Dock

(Fig.5.1 SuperSpeed D3000 USB Dock)

Dell SuperSpeed USB Dock D3000 - Visual Guide to your Dock

Connector Type	No. of Ports available
USB Upstream Connector	1
USB or eSata Connector	0
USB 3.0	2
USB 2.0	4
PS2 Connector	0
Network Connector	1
Serial Connector	0
Parallel Connector	0
VGA Connector	1
DVI Connector	1
DisplayPort Connector	0
AC Adapter Connector	1
Audio Connector	2
Security Cable Slot	1

Dell USB 3.0 D3100 Dock

(Fig.5.2 D3100 USB 3.0 Dock)

Dell D3100 USB 3.0: Visual Guide to your Docking Station

Connector Type	No. of Ports available
USB Upstream Connector	1
HDMI Connector	1
USB 3.0	1
USB 2.0	4
PS/2 Connector	0
Network Connector	1
Serial Connector	0
Parallel Connector	0
VGA Connector	0
DVI Connector	0
DisplayPort Connector	1
AC Adapter Connector	1
Audio Connector	2
Security Cable Slot	1

Dell WD15 Dock

(Fig.5.3 Dell WD15 Dock)

How to Use and Troubleshoot the Dell Dock (WD15)

Connector Type	No. of Ports available
USB Type-C Docking Cable	1
USB or eSata Connector	0
USB 3.0	3
USB 2.0	0
PS/2 Connector	0
Network Connector	1
Serial Connector	0
Parallel Connector	0
VGA Connector	1
HDMI Connector	1
MiniDisplayPort Connector	1
AC Adapter Connector	1
Audio Connector	2
Security Cable Slot	1

Dell Thunderbolt TB16 Dock

(Fig.5.4 Dell Thunderbolt TB16 Dock)

How to Use and Troubleshoot the Dell Thunderbolt Dock (TB16)

Connector Type	No. of Ports available
Thunderbolt Type-C Docking Cable	1
USB or eSata Connector	0
USB 3.0	3
USB 2.0	2
Thunderbolt Type-C Connector	1
Network Connector	1
Serial Connector	0
HDMI Connector	1
VGA Connector	1
MiniDisplayPort Connector	1
DisplayPort Connector	1
AC Adapter Connector	1
Audio Connector	2
Security Cable Slot	1

3. Docking Issues and Troubleshooting

The main issues seen with a dock are usually obvious and readily identified.

Damage to the dock or ports.
Doesn't dock to the system.
No Power.
Faulty Ports.

Note: If your system crashes when you either hot swap it onto a docking station or power it on using the docking station, then please follow the same steps below and include this additional step at the end to identify if the issue is with software or hardware on the laptop or is a hardware issue with the docking station itself.

If you have already ruled out the other issues in the previous steps and the problem follows your laptop to multiple docking stations, then please swap your HDD with another laptop of a similar type and see if the fault follows the drive or stays with the laptop. If the fault follows the HDD you have a software issue and will need to troubleshoot further. If the issue stays with the laptop then it's a hardware issue and contact Dell support to take this further.

Luckily the troubleshooting is the same across most of these faults.

Visually inspect the dock, the buttons, the security slide, the ports and the system to ensure there is no visible damage to any parts or that the security lock is engaged. If there is no damage or impediments then proceed with this guide. Damage to peripherals would be chargeable in most cases.
Dock the system to the docking station and check if you can see anything preventing a solid connection?
1. If you can then contact technical support to take this further.
2. If you can't, then move on to the next step.
Ensure the AC adapter plugged to the dock is the correct size. 90-130W
Try docking your system to another dock and try another system on your dock. Does the fault follow the machine, stay with the dock or is now seen across both system and dock?
1. If the fault follows the machine, then you will need to troubleshoot the system further. This will usually involve ruling out the Operating system and the docking plastics and connector on the base of the system.
2. If the fault stays with the dock, then the issue is with the dock. Contact technical support to take this further.
3. If the fault goes in both directions, then it's probably that the issue is with both the dock and the system.

Note: Remember these docks connect using wireless signals. You must have the correct hardware in your system to connect to these types of dock.

Visually inspect the dock, the ports and the system to ensure there is no visible damage to any parts. If there is no damage then proceed with this guide. Damage to peripherals would be chargeable in most cases.
Dock the system to the dock using wireless and check if you can see anything preventing a solid connection?
1. If you can then contact technical support to take this further.
2. If you can't, then move on to the next step.
Ensure the AC adapter plugged to the dock is the correct size.
Try docking your system to another dock and try another system on your dock. Does the fault follow the machine, stay with the dock or is now seen across both system and dock? (Does the wireless on your system connect to other devices, does your system support the type of wireless signal the wireless dock is using?)
1. If the fault follows the machine, then you will need to troubleshoot the system further. This will usually involve ruling out the Operating system and the docking plastics and the wireless setup on your system.
2. If the fault stays with the dock, then the issue is with the dock. Contact technical support to take this further.
3. If the fault goes in both directions, then it's probably that the issue is with both the dock and the system.

Visually inspect the dock, the ports and the system to ensure there is no visible damage to any parts. If there is no damage then proceed with this guide. Damage to peripherals would be chargeable in most cases.
Remove any peripherals from the tablet and dock the tablet to the docking station and check if you can see anything preventing a solid connection?
1. If you can then contact technical support to take this further.
2. If you can't, then move on to the next step.
Ensure the AC adapter plugged to the dock is the correct size. 45-65W
Try docking your tablet to another dock and try another system on your dock. Does the fault follow the machine, stay with the dock or is now seen across both system and dock?
1. If the fault follows the tablet, then you will need to troubleshoot the system further. This will usually involve ruling out the Operating system and the docking plastics and connector on the base of the system.
2. If the fault stays with the dock, then the issue is with the dock. Contact technical support to take this further.
3. If the fault goes in both directions, then it's probably that the issue is with both the dock and the tablet.

There are some LED indicator lights located on the dock itself:

Power and Docking Status	Laptop Status	Power Button LED	Docking LED
Unit Undocked or No AC Adapter connected	Hibernate or Off	Off	Off
Unit Docked and AC Adapter connected	Hibernate or Off	Off	On
Unit Docked using AC Adapter or Battery Power	Standby	Breathing/Flashing	On
Unit Docked using AC Adapter or Battery Power	On	On	On

Visually inspect the dock, the ports and the system to ensure there is no visible damage to any parts. If there is no damage then proceed with this guide. Damage to peripherals would be chargeable in most cases.
Dock the system to the dock and check if you can see anything preventing a solid connection? (Remember the Ruggedised systems and dock use a pogo pins docking connector. There is no male and female connector, the pins line up and touch when the system is correctly fitted to the dock.)
1. If you can then contact technical support to take this further.
2. If you can't, then move on to the next step.
Ensure the AC adapter plugged to the dock is the correct size. 130W
Try docking your system to another dock and try another system on your dock. Does the fault follow the machine, stay with the dock or is now seen across both system and dock?
1. If the fault follows the machine, then you will need to troubleshoot the system further. This will usually involve ruling out the Operating system and the docking plastics and connector on the base of the system.
2. If the fault stays with the dock, then the issue is with the dock. Contact technical support to take this further.
3. If the fault goes in both directions, then it's probably that the issue is with both the dock and the system.

Note: please ensure your system supports the docking cable connector type your wired dock uses.

Visually inspect the dock, the ports and the system to ensure there is no visible damage to any parts. If there is no damage then proceed with this guide. Damage to peripherals would be chargeable in most cases.
Connect/Dock the system to the docking station using the docking cable supplied with the dock (This is usually a proprietary connection at the dock end of the cable.) and check if you can see anything preventing a solid connection?
1. If you can then contact technical support to take this further.
2. If you can't, then move on to the next step.
Ensure the AC adapter plugged to the dock is the correct wattage for your dock and system combined.
Try docking your system to another similar dock and try another system on your dock. Does the fault follow the machine, stay with the dock or is now seen across both system and dock?
1. If the fault follows the machine, then you will need to troubleshoot the system further. This will usually involve ruling out the Operating system and the docking plastics and the connecting port on the system.
2. If the fault stays with the dock, then the issue is with the dock. Contact technical support to take this further.
3. If the fault goes in both directions, then it's probably that the issue is with both the original dock and the original system.

The last 4 steps should have identified any Damage, No Power and doesn't dock issues. To troubleshoot faulty ports on a dock, you follow the same steps as for faulty ports on a system. Complete steps 1-4 to ensure the fault is with the dock. Identify which port is having the issue.
Swap the cable and peripheral attached to that port to another dock or connector, does the fault follow the cable or peripheral?
1. If it does then the fault lies with the peripheral and cable.
2. If it doesn't then re-plug to your dock and see if the issue returns?
  1. If it does, but the issue was intermittent. Move the cable while it is plugged to the dock and see if it affects the issue? Contact your support with the results.
  2. If it does and the fault is constant, then contact your support to take this further.
  3. If it doesn't then the issue was most likely a connection issue and reseating it has resolved the problem.

Your Dock has a years warranty as standard, if purchased separately from the system. If it was bought with the system, it will take on the warranty of the system. You can check your Warranty Status on the link below:

Warranty Status.

4. Compatibility Information:

Note: This article only deals with Latitude and Precision mobile systems - these systems have their own business docking solutions. It does not deal with Inspiron, Vostro, XPS or Alienware notebooks systems - these systems have their own docking solutions for home use.

Key

✔ = Supported

Compatible Systems	D-Dock (Obsolete)	E-Port	E-Port Plus	E-Legacy Expansion Port	E-Port II	E-Port Plus II	Latitude ST Tablet Dock	Latitude Tablet Dock	Dell Wireless D5000 Dock	Dell WLD15 WiGig Dock	Rugged Desk Dock	Dell SuperSpeed USB D3000 Dock	D3100 USB 3.0 Dock	Dell WD 15 Dock	Dell Thunderbolt TB 16 Dock
Latitude D Series	✔
Latitude E Series systems with USB 2.0 and a docking port on the base		✔	✔	✔
Precision Mobile systems with USB 2.0 and a docking port on the base		✔	✔	✔
Latitude E Series systems with USB 3.0 and a docking port on the base		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔						✔	✔	✔
Precision Mobile systems with USB 3.0 and a docking port on the base		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔						✔	✔	✔
Latitude Rugged Series											✔	✔	✔
Latitude Ultrabooks									✔			✔	✔
Latitudes with DW1601 Tri-Band HMC Cards									✔
Latitudes with Intel WiGig 1.1										✔
Latitude ST Tablet							✔
Latitude Tablet and 2-in-1 Systems								✔				✔	✔
Latitude Tablet and 2-in-1 Systems with USB Type-C												✔	✔	✔
Latitude E Series systems with USB Type-C and no docking port on the base												✔	✔	✔
Precision Mobile systems with USB Type-C and no docking port on the base												✔	✔	✔
Latitude E Series systems with Thunderbolt Type-C and no docking port on the base												✔	✔	✔	✔
Precision Mobile systems with Thunderbolt Type-C and no docking port on the base												✔	✔	✔	✔

Article ID: SLN286158

Last Date Modified: 12/06/2017 09:05 AM

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