Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for communicating to multiple functions on a single adapter device over an external communications bus, where the external communications bus is configured so as to allow only a single access point to the external communications bus for each adapter device. Communications on the external communications bus are provided through the single access point to functions of a first type in the adapter device utilizing a function specific communications interface configured for communicating with functions of the first type. Communications on the external communications bus are also provided through the single access point to functions in the adapter device other than functions of the first type utilizing management capabilities of the function specific communications interface so as to provide communications with the functions of the second type without modifying the configuration of the function specific communications interface.