An apparatus and method is provided for determining the orientation of a blade server with respect to a blade chassis, whenever the blade is inserted into a chassis with either vertical or horizontal slots. In an embodiment, wherein the blade server has opposing first and second edges, first and second connectors are located in pre-specified corresponding relationship with the first and second blade server edges. A first device in the blade chassis generates an information signal, wherein the information signal has an element that indicates the spatial location of a reference feature of the chassis. The embodiment includes a path for sending the information signal to either the first connector or the second connector, according to the orientation of the blade inserted into the chassis. A second device identifies the connector that receives the information signals, and uses the connector identity and the signal element together to determine the orientation of the inserted blade with respect to the chassis.