Configured

Configured is the past participle of configure. In general usage, “configured” describes something that has been arranged, set up, or prepared to operate in a particular way. In computing, it refers to software, hardware, networks, or systems that have been prepared with specific settings, parameters, or preferences to meet a defined purpose.

In information technology, configurations determine how software behaves, what resources it uses, and how it interacts with other systems. A configured application might have its data path, authentication method, logging level, and user permissions defined. Devices such as routers and printers are configured with network addresses, access controls, and feature toggles. Configuration changes can be performed manually by administrators or automatically through scripts, installers, or configuration management tools.

Configuration management is the discipline of maintaining system configurations in a consistent and auditable state across environments. It often involves declarative representations of desired state, version control, and automated deployment. Common formats include configuration files, scripts, and infrastructure-as-code definitions. Misconfiguration is a frequent source of errors and security vulnerabilities.

Related terms include configure, configuration, configuration management, and system administration.