I have a Thunderbolt docking station for my laptop. There's no confusion about the cable, because the cable is permanently attached to the docking station. I

I have a Thunderbolt docking station for my laptop. There's no confusion about the cable, because the cable is permanently attached to the docking station. I just plug it into the laptop in the correct port (designated by the Thunderbolt logo). Are other docking stations not like this?