Abstract: A system is provided for testing connectivity of a backplane having card slots with multiple nets in each card slot. The system includes a processor module that generates test vectors based on a net connectivity configuration for a predetermined backplane architecture. A master control card includes a card slot interconnect that is configured to be plugged into nets in the backplane. The master control card communicates over a serial interface with the processor module. The master control card receives the test vectors, associated with multiple card slots, over the serial interface. The master control card is configured to test the connectivity of the backplane based on the test vectors. Optionally, IOB test cards may be included that each have a card slot interconnect that is configured to be plugged into nets in a respective card slot of the backplane. The IOB test cards are joined in series with the master control card and with one another. Optionally, the test vectors may be defined based on an IEEE 1149.