A computer system that can configure itself to establish a network connection. Configuration is performed by identifying a connection profile with information from a combination of sources. Information may be obtained from user input, network traffic monitoring and a discovery process involving attempts to establish a connection with different profiles. The computer system may perform the configuration process under the control of software that performs an automated configuration process is adapted to receive extensions for operation on computers with hardware components that have non-standardized configuration options. Extensions for networks operating according to non-standardized security protocol extensions are also possible.