Auto-configuration is the automatic configuration

Computer configuration

In communications or computer systems, a configuration is an arrangement of functional units according to their nature, number, and chief characteristics. Often, configuration pertains to the choice of hardware, software, firmware, and documentation...

 of devices without manual intervention, without any need for software configuration programs or jumper

Jumper (computing)

In electronics and particularly computing, a jumper is a short length of conductor used to close a break in or bypass part of an electrical circuit...

s. Ideally, auto-configuring devices should just "plug and play". Autoconfiguration has been made common because of the low cost of microprocessor

Microprocessor

A microprocessor incorporates the functions of a computer's central processing unit on a single integrated circuit, or at most a few integrated circuits. It is a multipurpose, programmable device that accepts digital data as input, processes it according to instructions stored in its memory, and...

s and other embedded controller devices.

Configurations may be stored in NVRAM

NVRAM

Non-volatile random-access memory is random-access memory that retains its information when power is turned off, which is described technically as being non-volatile...

, loaded by a host processor, or negotiated at system initialization time. In some cases, hot pluggable devices may be able to renegotiate their configuration.

Example of auto-configuring devices:

• USB
  Universal Serial Bus
  USB is an industry standard developed in the mid-1990s that defines the cables, connectors and protocols used in a bus for connection, communication and power supply between computers and electronic devices....
  
  

Example of auto-configuring devices and protocols:

• DHCP
  Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
  The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is a network configuration protocol for hosts on Internet Protocol networks. Computers that are connected to IP networks must be configured before they can communicate with other hosts. The most essential information needed is an IP address, and a default...
  
  
• Zeroconf
  Zeroconf
  Zero configuration networking , is a set of techniques that automatically creates a usable Internet Protocol network without manual operator intervention or special configuration servers....
  
  

See also:

• Universal Plug and Play
  Universal Plug and Play
  Universal Plug and Play is a set of networking protocols for primarily residential networks without enterprise class devices that permits networked devices, such as personal computers, printers, Internet gateways, Wi-Fi access points and mobile devices to seamlessly discover each other's presence...
  
  
• FPGA
• AutoConfig
  Autoconfig
  Autoconfig is an auto-configuration protocol of Amiga computers which is intended to automatically assign resources to expansion devices without the need for jumper settings...
  
  (Amiga)