The present invention pertains to a method and device for automatically configuring the Permanent Virtual Circuit (PVC) of a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) and link it to a software interface. The method comprises receiving an ATM cell and checking the ATM cell for an OAM Fault Management (F5) type cell. The OAM type cell allows the PVC to be configured by obtaining a VPI and VCI from the OAM type cell. Otherwise, the CPE configures its new PVC by obtaining a VPI and VCI from a first traffic bearing cell and linking its new PVC to a protocol specific to DSL.