Abstract: A system and method for automatically configuring a client device with a user key set when the client device is installed in a data network access device/router at a user's premises, without displaying the key set to the user, or requiring the user to enter one. The client device is preprogrammed with a common key set, and upon installation, automatically requests access to a remote network using the common key set. An authenticator in the network determines whether the common key set is valid, and if so, provides the client device with access to a registration server. The registration server sends a new user key set to the client device and the authenticator. Thereafter, the client device requests access to the network using the new user key set. The authenticator determines whether the new user key set is valid, and if so, provides the client device with full network access.