Glossary · System coordination, integration and orchestration
Self-configuration
Also known as: Auto-configuration
German: Selbstkonfiguration
In automation and IT systems, self-configuration is the ability of a device, module or system to set its own configuration parameters automatically, based on its environment, its self-description and information from the system it joins, with little or no manual engineering.
- System integration
In one sentence
Self-configuration lets a device or module set its own parameters automatically based on its environment and the system it joins.
Example
A replacement drive reads its parameter set from the controller after being connected, so the technician does not have to enter the parameters manually.
How it applies
- Engineering: Self-configuration ranges from simple mechanisms (automatic address assignment, parameter download to a replacement device) to full plug and produce. It requires a reliable source of truth for configuration data.
- Commissioning and maintenance: Device replacement becomes faster and less error-prone. Still, verify the result, especially for safety-related devices, where the configuration must be checked and confirmed as required by the safety concept.
- Configuration management: Automatically applied configurations must still be recorded. Track which configuration a device received and when, as part of Configuration control.
- Documentation: Describe what configures itself, what does not and how to verify the configuration after replacement. Service instructions should say which cases need manual intervention.
Self-configuration vs. self-description
Self-description means a component provides information about itself. Self-configuration means it uses information, its own and the system's, to set itself up. Self-description is a prerequisite for self-configuration by the system.