Auto-configuration is the automatic
configuration of devices without manual intervention, without any need for software configuration programs or
jumpers. Ideally, auto-configuring devices should just "
plug and play". Auto-configuration has been made common because of the low cost of
microprocessor
A microprocessor is a computer processor (computing), processor for which the data processing logic and control is included on a single integrated circuit (IC), or a small number of ICs. The microprocessor contains the arithmetic, logic, a ...
s and other embedded controller devices.
Configurations may be stored in
NVRAM, 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:
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USB
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard, developed by USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), for digital data transmission and power delivery between many types of electronics. It specifies the architecture, in particular the physical ...
Example of auto-configuring devices and protocols:
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DHCP
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Zeroconf
See also
*
Autoconfig, Amiga system for automatically setting up hardware peripherals
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FPGA
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Universal Plug and Play
References
Computer peripherals
Computer configuration
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