The present invention provides for using description files to configure components in a distribute system. Computer-readable media store data structures representing a component mapping and a component description. Computer systems can utilize the data structures to access components in a diagnostic chassis. In some embodiments, a computer system receives application instructions for accessing a component. The computer system refers to the component mapping to identify components that are to be configured to implement the received application instructions. The computer system generates mapped application instructions in accordance with the referred to component mapping. The computer system refers to the component description to identify compatible low-level instructions for configuring the identified components. The computer system sends the compatible low-level instructions to the identified components to configure the identified components to implement the received application instructions.