Autoinstallation provides automatic configuration for a new device that you connect to the network and turn on, or for a device configured for autoinstallation. The autoinstallation process begins anytime a device is powered on and cannot locate a valid configuration file in the compact flash. Typically, a configuration file is unavailable when a device is powered on for the first time, or if the configuration file is deleted from the compact flash. The autoinstallation feature enables you to deploy multiple devices from a central location in the network.
For the autoinstallation process to work, you must store one or more host-specific or default configuration files on a configuration server in the network and have a service available—typically Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)—to assign an IP address to the device.
Autoinstallation takes place automatically when you connect an Ethernet or serial port on a new J-series or SRX-series device to the network and power on the device. To simplify the process, you can explicitly enable autoinstallation on a device and specify a configuration server, an autoinstallation interface, and a protocol for IP address acquisition.
This overview contains the following topics: