Sideband communication capability is incorporated into an Input/Output
Adapter (IOA) and/or a host apparatus in a manner that permits the
communication of base I/O and other sideband signals between an IOA and a
host apparatus without conflicting with standard IOA and/or I/O
architecture form factors. The primary connector of an IOA may be
selectively partitioned to permit sideband information to be communicated
across the primary connector, often without compromising the primary
communication functionality of the primary connector. In lieu of or in
addition to such a partitioned connector, a second, sideband connector may
be incorporated into an IOA and/or host apparatus.
