1U to NxU expandable server chassis using interchangeable flexible covers of varying size

An information handling system (IHS) comprising:

• selected compute components and infrastructure components that can vary in form factor or final vertical height desired for the fully assembled IHS or rack in which the IHS will be inserted, the final vertical height being selectable from among a first height and a second height greater than the first height;
• and a chassis comprising:
• a base panel having an upper chassis surface to receive the selected compute components and infrastructure components;
• lateral guides to enable insertion into rack glides of a receiving bay of an N×U rack, where N is a number greater than one;
• a modular cover having peripheral sides of a vertical height to create a server enclosure of the second height, the server enclosure housing compute components of less than the second height but greater than the first height, wherein the modular cover comprises a notched top side surface at a height corresponding to a next upper rack glide to enable the chassis, configured at the second height, to extend above, but not contact the next upper rack glide when the chassis is slid into the rack using a lower rack glide;
• and a latching structure on the base panel and a complementary latching structure on the modular cover.