A method of controlling an arrangement of a plurality of hardware components (2, 3), at least some of which are coupled to one another via signal leads, by means of a data processing unit in which there is executed a computer program which comprises sub-modules (2", 3") which correspond to the hardware components and are connected via data channels in conformity with the real signal leads between the hardware components (2, 3). The software thus exactly duplicates the hardware structure and ensures that information flows horizontally and is always present in the relevant location. Moreover, the software can be simply and flexibly adapted to changes of the configuration of existing hardware components.