Abstract: A hard disk assembly including a disk drive assembly, and a carrier board is disclosed. The disk drive assembly includes a connector having a form factor corresponding to a particular interface specification, drive control electronics, and a disk drive unit. Additionally, the hard disk assembly may include an adapter to provide a mechanical and electrical interface between the connector associated with the disk drive assembly and a corresponding connector on a midplane of a disk storage subsystem. The disk drive assembly may be disposed in one of at least first and second predetermined locations on the carrier board. The adapter is employed to provide the appropriate mechanical and electrical interface between the connector of the disk drive assembly and the midplane connector of the disk storage subsystem.

Abstract: An inserter/ejector system for use in inserting a circuit board into a backplane in a chassis and for ejecting the circuit board from the backplane in the chassis. The inserter/ejector system may be used in conjunction with staggered height connector pins to permit the circuit board to be inserted into or removed from the backplane without removing power to the backplane.