Abstract: A method of powering up a disk drive storage enclosure is disclosed, the storage enclosure having at least one power supply and at least one module having a keyed readable interface corresponding to its power rating. The method includes: receiving a power-on signal; determining the power supplying capability of the storage enclosure; determining the power requirement of the storage enclosure including reading the keyed readable interface to determine the power rating of the at least one keyed module; determining the power mode attainable by the system in accordance with the power supplying capability and the power requirement, the modes including at least power on and power off; and, powering up or not powering up the storage enclosure in accordance with the power mode.

Abstract: A dongle for connecting a disk drive assembly to the backplane of a storage enclosure is disclosed. The dongle includes: a housing having a disk drive connector portion having a plurality of contact pins for connecting to a disk drive assembly and having a PCB holding portion having walls that define a recess; and, a PCB located within the recess, the PCB having a plurality of contact fingers on at least one surface at an edge of the PCB to form a backplane connector for connecting to the backplane. At least some of the disk drive connector contact pins are in electrical connection with at least some of the contact fingers of the backplane connector.