System and method for automatic setup of a network device with secure network transmission of setup parameters

A method for setting up a consumer electronic device on a local area network (LAN) having a network member device containing network setup parameters, the method comprising:

• in an infrared (IR) remote control having a processor and a stored computer program of instructions executable by the processor for generating a security number, initiating the operation of said computer program to thereby generate the security number within the remote control;
• storing said security number in the remote control for a time-out period;
• before expiration of the time-out period, transmitting said security number from the remote control to the consumer electronic device and the network member device via IR transmission;
• storing said security number in the consumer electronic device;
• storing said security number in the network member device;
• readying the consumer electronic device for receipt of encrypted network setup parameters transmitted on the network;
• encrypting the network setup parameters in the network member device using said security number as the encryption key;
• transmitting on the local area network the encrypted network setup parameters;
• decrypting the encrypted network setup parameters in the consumer electronic device using said security number as the decryption key;
• and
• storing the decrypted network setup parameters in the consumer electronic device.