During one mode of operation, a configuration server receives a signal to modify configuration information associated with a given host computer. To prompt reconfiguration of the given host computer, the configuration server generates a reconfiguration command to the given host computer. A network interface intercepts the reconfigure command and terminates a communication link through which the given host computer communicates to access the network. Termination of the communication link prompts the given host computer to initiate a reconfiguration routine for assignment of a new network address. Alternatively, the network interface forwards the reconfigure message to the given host computer and monitors communications from the given host computer to determine whether it executes the reconfigure command. If not, the network interface terminates a communication link prompting the given host computer to initiate a reconfiguration routine for assignment of a new network address.