Server Chassis Hardware master system and method

A server chassis, comprising:

• a midplane printed circuit board having first and second connectors configured to receive first and second server processing cards, respectively;
• at least a first server processing card coupled with the first connector;
• a master signal control module coupled with the midplane printed circuit board;
• the master signal control module being operable to communicate control signals to the first server processing card if the second server processing is not coupled with the second connector;
• and
• wherein the master signal control module is operable to prevent communication of the control signals to the first server processing card if the second server processing card is coupled with the second connector.

A method for controlling a plurality of hardware components, comprising:

• monitoring first and second connectors coupled with a midplane to detect the presence of first and second computing devices, respectively;
• transmitting master control signals to the second computing device if the first computing device is not coupled with the first connector;
• and
• preventing the transmission of the master control signals to the second computing device if the first computing device is coupled with the first connector.

A computer readable medium encoded with logic operable to:

• monitor first and second connector coupled with a midplane to detect the presence of first and second computing devices, respectively;
• transmit master control signals to the second computing device if the first computing device is not coupled with the first connector;
• and
• prevent the transmission of the master control signals to the second computing device if the first computing device is coupled with the first connector.

A system, comprising:

• means for monitoring first and second connectors coupled with a midplane to detect the presence of first and second computing devices, respectively;
• means for transmitting master control signals to the second computing device if the first computing device is not coupled with the first connector;
• and
• means for preventing the transmission of the master control signals to the second computing device if the first computing device is coupled with the first connector.