Abstract: A hardware management module is enabled to perform hardware management for a modular platform system that includes a plurality of modular platform shelves coupled via one or more communication links in a network. Hardware management to include monitoring board interfaces resident on one or more backplanes within the plurality of modular platform shelves, detecting when a board is received and coupled to a board interface and performing one or more hardware management functions to include obtaining field replaceable unit information from the detected board.

Abstract: A modeling module is disclosed that couples to a modular platform chassis. The modeling module includes a resident management controller to implement a test to model a component layout for a module to be received and coupled to the modular platform chassis. The test includes an operating thermal load for a component resident on the module at a given location. The module has a dimensional length and width that is similar to that of the modeling module. The modeling module also includes a thermal load device that is responsive to the management controller. The thermal load device is to implement at least a portion of the test by simulating the operating thermal load for the component resident on the module at the given location.