Patent ID: 7062575

Claim:
A modular computer system configured to receive at least one information processing module, the modular computer system comprising a carrier including: at least one module receiving location configured to receive an information processing module, the module receiving location comprising at least one carrier information connection operable to interconnect with a corresponding module information connection of a received information processing module and at least one carrier management connection operable to interconnect with a corresponding module management connection of a received information processing module; at least one switch connectable to at least one carrier information connection of at least one module receiving location and operable to connect the information processing module to an external information network; at least one carrier service processor connectable to at least one carrier management connection of at least one module receiving location and operable to exchange system management signals with at least one service controller of the information processing module; and at least one information processing module removably received in the carrier, the at least one information processing module comprising: at least one processor configured to perform information processing; at least one module information connection for communicating information signals; at least one module information signal interface connected between said at least one processor and said at least one module information connection, wherein said at least one module information signal interface includes at least one module information protocol interface and at least one serializer/deserializer; at least one module management connection for communicating management signals; and at least one service controller configured to perform system management functions, wherein said at least one service controller being connected to said at least one module management connection; wherein said at least one service controller is configured to communicate with the at least one carrier service processor of the modular computer system to determine whether the at least one information processing module includes a module information protocol interface compatible with an information protocol employed for communication between information processing modules and other components of the modular computer system.