Abstract: A method and system for assigning during configuration of a computer device a unique serial number is disclosed. The method uses firmware embedded within the device which when first initialized executes code for assigning and storing a unique serial number by use of a random number generator. In one embodiment, the unique serial number is generated based on the device's internal clock. Based on the amount of bit space typically reserved for a device's serial number, the number of combinations are great enough to make the serial number unique by use of a random number. Once the serial number is stored in the devices embedded firmware a random number is never generated again.