A method for automatically configuring at least one network entity for participation in a network when first powered on, said at least one network entity being associated with at least one service provider, said method comprising the steps of: assigning an identifier to said at least one network entity wherein said identifier is any of a unique identifier or a class identifier; associating said identifier with the at least one service provider; providing a redirect server having a reference table for mapping said identifier to at least one of said service providers, providing a configuration server associated with each of said service providers, said configuration server having configuration settings data for said at least one network entity; including in a computer-readable medium of said at least one network entity instructions for communicating with said redirect server or said configuration server; causing said at least one network entity to automatically request configuration settings data from said redirect server in response to coupling with said network, said request including said network entity's identifier; receiving said request at said redirect server and determining which of said at least one of said service providers is associated with said identifier; said redirect server forwarding said request to an appropriate configuration server having said configuration settings data specific to said identifier; said configuration server providing said configuration settings data to said at least one network entity; and wherein said configuration settings data specific to said identifier is selected from a second mapping table including device specific configuration information and platform specific configuration information, including a type of device, carrier, service, and enterprise system information, central server URIs, configuration server URIs, port assignments, registration information, dial plan, NTP time settings, soft-keys, XML services and applications, SIP registration information, usernames and passwords, phone book directory, speaker volume settings; and whereby said at least one network entity is automatically configured without user intervention except to power-on and connect said at least one network entity to said network in order to contact said redirect server. assigning an identifier to said at least one network entity wherein said identifier is any of a unique identifier or a class identifier; associating said identifier with the at least one service provider; providing a redirect server having a reference table for mapping said identifier to at least one of said service providers, providing a configuration server associated with each of said service providers, said configuration server having configuration settings data for said at least one network entity; including in a computer-readable medium of said at least one network entity instructions for communicating with said redirect server or said configuration server; causing said at least one network entity to automatically request configuration settings data from said redirect server in response to coupling with said network, said request including said network entity's identifier; receiving said request at said redirect server and determining which of said at least one of said service providers is associated with said identifier; said redirect server forwarding said request to an appropriate configuration server having said configuration settings data specific to said identifier; said configuration server providing said configuration settings data to said at least one network entity; and wherein said configuration settings data specific to said identifier is selected from a second mapping table including device specific configuration information and platform specific configuration information, including a type of device, carrier, service, and enterprise system information, central server URIs, configuration server URIs, port assignments, registration information, dial plan, NTP time settings, soft-keys, XML services and applications, SIP registration information, usernames and passwords, phone book directory, speaker volume settings; and whereby said at least one network entity is automatically configured without user intervention except to power-on and connect said at least one network entity to said network in order to contact said redirect server.