Automated configuration of network device ports

Methods and devices are provided for identifying end devices and automatically configuring associated network settings. Preferred implementations of the invention do not require users to manually identify connection types (e.g., RFID, IPphone, manufacturing device, etc.) or to manually configure the network device. Accordingly, such implementations allow automatic switch configuration, even for devices that use inconsistent protocols and/or protocols that are not well known. Some methods of the invention employ DHCP options combined with traffic snooping to identify devices and automatically apply appropriate switch port configuration.