A system identification module for storing system specific information is described. The system includes a housing, a module connector and a persistent memory for storing system specific data associated with a communications system having a backplane. The housing and the module connector define an enclosure surrounding the persistent memory. The module connector can be electrically coupled to and removed from the backplane connector. The persistent memory can be a programmable read-only memory device. System specific information such as the system serial number, the date of manufacture, the system vintage and the common language equipment identifier (CLEI) code can be remotely accessed using the system identification module.