Auto Image and Configuration Update 375
14
Automatically Updating the Image 
and Configuration
The topics covered in this chapter include:
• Auto Configuration Overview
• What Are the Dependencies for DHCP Auto Configuration?
• Default Auto Configuration Values
• Managing Auto Configuration (Web)
• Managing Auto Configuration (CLI)
• Auto Configuration Example
Auto Configuration Overview
The Auto Configuration feature can automatically update the firmware 
image and obtain configuration information when the switch boots. Auto 
Configuration begins the automatic download and installation process when 
the switch is initialized and no configuration file (startup-config) is found, or 
when the switch boots and loads a saved configuration that has Auto 
Configuration enabled. Auto Configuration is enabled by default.
The Auto Configuration feature includes two components:
• USB Auto Configuration
•DHCP Auto Install
If no configuration file is found and the Auto Configuration feature is 
enabled, the Auto Configuration process begins. If a USB device is connected 
to the PowerConnect switch USB port and contains the appropriate file, the 
switch uses the USB Auto Configuration feature to update the configuration 
or image. If the USB Auto Configuration fails - either because it is disabled, 
no USB storage device is present, or no configuration or images files are 
present on the USB storage device, the switch uses the DHCP Auto Install 
process.