The task of configuring a thin client device for networking functionality and connectivity is simplified using a portable computer-readable media device to transfer and automatically load RF interference data into a provisioning device. A wireless radio frequency channel that is usable for the wireless protocol to be employed by the device and which is not currently experiencing prohibitive RF interference is selected by the provisioning device based on the interference data. The portable media device includes, in an embodiment of the invention, a spectrum chip and its support electronics such as a radio receiver and receive-chain processor, to analyze ongoing local RF emissions/transmissions to identify a channel having the least interference.