A rack mountable shelf is configured to support a plurality of field replaceable
units in the form of server cartridges that each include at least one server processor.
The rack mountable shelf is configured to provide communal services for said server
cartridges, including at least one of supplying DC operating power to the server
cartridges, distributing information signals between the server cartridges and
processing system management signals for the server cartridges. Each of the server
cartridges can be slideably received in a respective one of a series of server
cartridge receiving locations arrayed side by side along the front of the shelf.
The server cartridges can be configured as thin blades to provide a high server
density. For example, 16 server cartridge receiving locations can be provided across
the front of the shelf. The supply of DC operating power to the server cartridges
can be provided by one or more field replaceable power supply units (e.g. two redundantly
configured power supply units) mounted in the shelf. The distribution of information
signals between the server cartridges can be provided by one or more switch units
(e.g. two redundantly configured switch units) mounted in shelf. The processing
of system management signals for the information processing modules is provided
by one or more field replaceable service processor units (e.g. one service processor
unit) mounted in the shelf. Each of the power supply, switch and service processor
units can be slideably received in a respective receiving location at the rear
of the shelf. A midplane including connectors with conductive paths therebetween
can provide power, information signal and system mangagement signal connections
between received field replaceable units. A multiple computer server can be formed
from at least one rack mountable shelf as set out above.