Patent ID: 8189343

Claim:
A backplane for a modular platform, comprising: a power interface to distribute power to a component coupled to the backplane; an interface to receive and couple a rear transition power entry module (RT-PEM) to the backplane; and power circuitry to route power to the power interface, wherein the power is received from the RT-PEM and wherein the RT-PEM is capable of supplying power to all components coupled to the backplane and wherein a lower zone of the backplane comprises air vents to provide air flow within the modular platform, wherein the power interface is located in a lower zone and the interface to receive and couple the RT-PEM is located in an upper zone of the backplane and wherein the backplane is compliant with an Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture Base Specification, PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers Group 3.0 Rev. 1.0, wherein the upper zone includes zone 3 and the lower zone includes zone 1, wherein another interface to receive and couple another RT-PEM to the backplane; and additional power circuitry to route power to the power interface, wherein the power is received from the other RT-PEM, wherein the power circuitry and the additional power circuitry provide redundant power feeds to the cower interface.