Methods for configuring the capabilities of electronic systems containing printed circuit boards are provided. One such method comprises: providing an initial configuration describing a first set of capabilities corresponding to each PCB as currently configured; modifying the initial configuration through a user interface to produce a new configuration describing a second set of capabilities corresponding to each PCB after upgrade; saving the initial configuration as modified by the user interface to be the new configuration; and configuring the plurality of PCBs according to the new configuration. Systems are also provided.