A docking station or port replicator provides a way to connect your laptop to several devices like mouse, keyboard, speakers, monitor, Ethernet. Using a docking station that is connected to several devices helps gain the benefits of a desktop computer without sacrificing the portability of a laptop.
Dell rugged or E-port docking stations use a proprietary docking connector to dock a compatible Dell laptop.
Before you dock for the first time
Before you initially connect your laptop to the docking station, the operating system must complete its setup process.
- Ensure that the laptop is not connected to the docking station (docked).
- Turn on the laptop.

- Verify that the operating system has completed the setup process.
- Verify that the battery is installed before docking your laptop.
Docking your laptop
CAUTION: Always use the Dell AC adapter that came with the docking station. If you use any other commercially available AC adapter, you may damage the docking station or the laptop.
- Go to Dell.com/support/drivers and identify the Dell laptop using the Service Tag.
- Update your laptop's BIOS, graphics, Thunderbolt, and network drivers.
- Connect the AC adapter to a power outlet. Then, connect the AC adapter to the docking station.
- Dock and secure the laptop on the docking station. See user manual of the docking station for device-specific instructions.

- Connect the keyboard, mouse, monitors, and other devices to the docking station, as needed. To learn how many monitors are supported, see the user manual of the docking station.
- Turn on the docking station.
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