The present invention is a method, program product, computer system and
apparatus for configuring an existing server process without the need to
end and restart the server process. Specifically, a new server process is
started with updated configuration information. If an existing server
process is currently running, then the new server process assumes the role
of a client and initiates a configuration request. The configuration
request contains the necessary information for the existing server process
to update its "old" configuration to conform to the "new configuration" in
accordance with the configuration request.