A system and method allows a user to automatically configure a new device on a local area network (LAN) by pressing a sequence of buttons on a conventional remote control (RC) while pointing the infrared (IR) transmitter of the RC at the new device. The button-sequence includes an arbitrary button-sequence selected by the user, or a pre-established button-sequence stored in an existing network member device, such as the network controller, and displayed to the user. The button-sequence represents a cipher key for an encryption/decryption algorithm. The network member device uses the cipher key to encrypt a configuration message that includes a shared network security key and transmit it over the network. The encrypted configuration message is received by the new device and decrypted using the same cipher key. The decrypted network configuration parameters, including the shared network security key, enable the new device to automatically associate with the network and communicate in a secure manner using the shared network security key.