Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flexible multimode chip design for storage and networking. A method for providing a flexible multimode chip may include designing an integrated circuit chip having a sufficient number of customizable gates to implement a communication protocol, the customizable gates implemented in a metal mask layer. The integrated circuit is configured for compliance with a specific protocol in final mask steps of the design of the integrated circuit by defining the specific protocol utilizing the customizable gates. The integrated circuit may also be configured for compliance with at least one specific feature set in final mask steps of the design of the integrated circuit by defining the specific feature set utilizing the customizable gates.