MySQL is commonly deployed on servers along with other components, such as PHP and Apache. While it is possible to configure each component separately, there are several advantages to managing system configuration as a unit. This talk covers a method for using one common XML-based file to set all configuration items for a server, instead of having to edit each component's configuration in a different syntax. By storing configuration in one place, users can set a parameter for one component, such as a datasource definition. including the port number, and automatically update the corresponding dependent parameters for other components. In order to make performance tuning easier, users can save a configuration for the entire stack in a snapshot, then revert it or clone it to other hosts.