# CONTROL Configuration basics

## Overview

Enabling devices to be managed by the CONTROL platform can be accomplished through a few simple steps. This guide covers the basic configuration requirements to onboard devices into CONTROL.

## Configuration Steps

### Step 1: Create a Device Profile

Before adding devices, you must first create a Device Profile (also called Device Type) that defines the characteristics of the devices you want to manage.

**Required fields:**
- CPE Profile/Type name
- CPE class
- Protocol

**Optional fields:**
- Auto-onboarding

### Step 2: Create the Device

If auto-onboarding is not enabled, you need to manually create each device that will be managed by CONTROL.

**Required fields:**
- CPE name
- CPE Profile/Type
- Username
- Password

**Note:** This step can be skipped if auto-onboarding is enabled in the Device Profile.

## Next Steps

Once you have completed these configuration tasks, proceed to [configure the CPE to become managed by the CONTROL platform](https://docs.zequenze.com/books/control/page/how-to-configure-a-cpe-to-become-managed-by-control).

<div drawio-diagram="24"><img src="https://docs.zequenze.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-02/Lpz4d2Tj7rE4IbWE-tmp3sny529t.png"></div>

## Understanding Device Profiles

### First-Time Device Onboarding

When onboarding a device type for the first time, you must create and customize a Device Profile (Profile/Type) that will serve as a template for all devices of the same type.

### Profile Reusability

Once a Device Profile is created, it can be reused for all new devices of the same type. Devices can be added to CONTROL through:
- Manual creation in the platform
- Batch creation
- Auto-onboarding (if enabled)

All devices will automatically use the appropriate Device Profile based on their type.

### Profile Updates

Any changes made to a Device Profile—such as improvements or fixes—will be automatically applied to all devices that use that Profile/Type. This ensures consistent configuration across all devices of the same type without requiring individual device updates.