A system configuration database is constructed in volatile memory by first determining which types of integrated circuits are present in a hardware system and the number of each type. In response to a determination, a system configuration database is loaded into volatile memory that includes a respective chip hardware database for each type of integrated circuit in the hardware system. Each chip hardware database defines a Dial entity controlling which of a plurality of different possible latch values is placed in a hardware latch of the associated type of integrated circuit. The system configuration database includes at least a first chip hardware database for a first type of integrated circuit that contains per-instance information for each of the multiple instances of the first type of integrated circuit within the hardware system.