Embodiments are described including a device comprising a carrier frame. The device includes a first connector on a first side of the carrier frame, and the first connector connects to a host system when the carrier frame is inserted into the host system. The device includes a second connector on a second side of the carrier frame, where the second side of the carrier frame is perpendicular to the first side. The second connector electrically couples to the first connector and connects to an input/output (I/O) adapter card inserted into a third side of the carrier frame, where the third side perpendicular to the first side. Consequently, the device has a flat structure that receives an adapter card and reorients the electrical connection of the adapter card. The device includes external visual status indicators and a switch for hot-swapping of the adapter card carrier in a running host system.