A method and apparatus for configuring an appliance, such as a network node, for performing a service, such as communicating with a network, controlled by a service provider include inserting into an Ethernet port on the appliance an Ethernet couple on a device that is usually small compared to the appliance. The device is configured to send through the Ethernet couple without human intervention an Internet Protocol (IP) data packet that is directed to a logical port of an established standard, such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) port 80. The IP data packet includes appliance configuration data in a message form for the established standard, such as an HTTP POST. As a result, the appliance is configured automatically for performing the service controlled by the service provider.