Getting more IO with 7i76e or other options?

Hey Guys

I use Mesa 7i76e´s on both my machines, and they are nothing more than amazing.
Although then building a control panel with buttons and lights, the IO on the board quickly runs out.

There are the two 26 pin sockets on the board that seemingly allows for more IO, but I am a little uncertain how this is done.
Are there Mesa IO only board available?

What are the other options?

Thanks in advance

Check also the 7i84. 32 inputs 16 outputs.

I looked a little at the 7i84 some time ago, but couldn't really figure out how it would be connected.
It uses a serial interface... is that the "ethernet" connection on TB3, on the 7i76e?

I'm not too sure how interconnection is handled on mesa product.

Yes, you would connect a 7I73 or 7I84 to 7I76E TB3 pins 15..20
with a Cat 5/6 network cable terminated with a terminal block on one end

(the 7I76E manual shows how to make such a cable on page 14)