In one embodiment, a female data-connector device includes a housing having a socket to insert therein a first paddle-card having a first form-factor and a second paddle-card having a second form-factor, the socket includes an upper and lower surface, with N contact pins arranged in a first row and M contact pins arranged in a second row on the upper surface, P contact pins arranged in a first row and Q contact pins arranged in a second row on the lower surface, the M and Q and some of the N and P contact pins are arranged to make contact with contact pads of the first paddle-card, the N and P contact pins are arranged to make contact with contact pads of the second paddle-card, N is greater than M, and P is greater than Q, and termination legs to be connected to a printed circuit board.