Computing device interface connectors for peripheral component interconnect compliant devices and other devices

A method comprising:

• providing a computing device, the computing device comprising:
• a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) compliant device;
• a network controller sideband interface (NCSI) compliant device;
• a port expander coupled to the interface connector;
• and
• an interface connector, the interface connector includes two or more ground pins, wherein voltage is passed from the PCI compliant device and the NCSI compliant device to form a single interface;
• communicatively connecting the interface connector to the PCI compliant device and the NCSI compliant device;
• setting, by the port expander coupled to the interface connector, a value for a status register associated with the interface connector;
• and
• communicating the value of the status register to the computing device,
• wherein the value of the status register comprises an I/O register bit that specifies that a first thermal threshold has been met, a request for additional cooling without causing a warning level alert, a second thermal threshold has been met, and a computing device shutdown when the second thermal threshold has been met,
• wherein the value of the status register being associated with a vital product data component that is communicatively connected to the interface connector of the apparatus;
• and
• using the interface connector to connect the computing device to a network.