Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that uses a file system operation to drive the process of configuring a computer system to operate with a device. During operation, the system receives an access request for the device. If a driver for the device has not been previously loaded, the system loads the driver for the device. Next, the system creates an instance of the driver for the device and attaches the instance so that the computer system is able to access the device. Finally, the system accesses the device to satisfy the request. In a variation of this embodiment, the access request specifies a path for the device, wherein the path includes one or more path components. Before loading the driver, the system first parses the path to identify the driver for the device as well as an address for the device from a path component. The system uses this address to identify the device prior to creating the instance of the driver for the device.