Which method allows clients to automatically detect the proxy configuration?

The method that enables clients to automatically detect the proxy configuration is WPAD, which stands for Web Proxy Autodiscovery Protocol. WPAD facilitates the automatic discovery of proxy settings by allowing clients on a network to obtain the necessary proxy configuration file (typically in the form of a PAC file) without needing manual input from the user.

When a client device connects to a network enabled with WPAD, it sends out a DHCP or DNS request to find the URL of the proxy configuration file. Once it receives the correct URL, the client can download the PAC file, which contains the rules and settings for routing web traffic through the designated proxy server. This streamlined process eliminates the need for users to manually configure proxy settings, making it especially beneficial in larger organizations where managing individual client settings would be impractical.

In contrast, other methods such as static IP configuration and static routing involve fixed settings that do not adapt to the network environment or automatically direct clients to a proxy server. The Bootstrap protocol, while relevant in network boot scenarios, is not related to proxy configuration discovery.