Interface standard support in modular computer systems

A server blade for a high density computer system, the server blade comprising:

• at least one processor operable to perform information processing;
• at least one information connection for communicating information signals;
• at least one serializer/deserializer connected to each information connection;
• at least one information protocol interface connected to said at least one processor and to said at least one serializer/deserializer;
• and
• a service controller configured to communicate with a service processor of the computer system to determine whether the server blade includes an information protocol interface compatible with an information protocol employed for communication between server blades and other components of the computer system.

An information processing module for a modular computer system, the information processing module comprising:

• processor means for performing information processing;
• information connection means for communicating information signals;
• serializer/deserializer means connected between the processor means and the information connection means;
• information protocol interface means connected between the processor means and the serializer/deserializer;
• and
• controller means configured to communicate with a service processor of the modular computer system to determine whether the information processing module includes an information protocol interface means compatible with an information protocol employed for communication between information processing modules and other components of the modular computer system.