Which solution is used for automating the configuration of a device when it is first powered on, using DHCP and TFTP?

Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) is a method used to automatically configure network devices upon their initial boot-up. In a typical ZTP workflow, a factory-default device powers on and sends a DHCP request to obtain an IP address. The DHCP server's response includes not only the IP address but also specific DHCP options (e.g., Option 67, Bootfile Name) that point the device to a TFTP or HTTP server. The device then downloads a configuration file or a startup script from this server and applies it, completing the provisioning process without any manual intervention. This process directly matches the scenario described in the question.

A. PnP: While Cisco's Plug and Play (PnP) is an automation solution, it is a more comprehensive, controller-based framework (often using Cisco DNA Center) rather than the fundamental DHCP/TFTP mechanism itself, which is best described as ZTP.
B. iPXE: iPXE (intelligent Preboot Execution Environment) is an open-source boot firmware used primarily for booting computer operating systems over a network, not for provisioning the configuration of network infrastructure devices like switches or routers.
C. SNMP: The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is used for managing and monitoring devices that are already operational on a network. It is not a mechanism for initial, "day-zero" device provisioning from a factory-default state. ---

1. Cisco Systems

Inc. (2023). Programmability Configuration Guide

Cisco IOS XE Amsterdam 17.3.x.

Section: "Zero-Touch Provisioning"

Content: "ZTP allows you to provision new switches in your network automatically

without manual intervention. When a switch with the ZTP feature is powered on with a factory default configuration

it searches for a DHCP server

gets the IP address and default gateway

and automatically downloads the image and configuration file from the TFTP/HTTP server." This directly confirms the process described in the question as ZTP.

2. Cisco Systems

Inc. (2023). System Management Configuration Guide

Cisco IOS XE Bengaluru 17.6.x.

Section: "Configuring Network Plug-and-Play"

Content: This document describes the PnP agent on a device communicating with a PnP server. It uses DHCP Option 43 to discover the server

highlighting it as a specific

controller-based implementation rather than the generic DHCP/TFTP process itself.

3. Arista Networks. (2023). Arista EOS 4.29.2F Manual.

Section: "Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP)"

Content: "On boot

a factory-defaulted switch with ZTP enabled first attempts to obtain an IP address via DHCP. [...] The DHCP offer can also contain the location of a startup-config or boot script." This shows that ZTP

as a concept using DHCP and file servers (like TFTP)

is an industry-standard term

not just specific to Cisco.