He all, A picture to try summary what I understand about we would like : - a new shared library called "libjackontrol.so" : is does implement the so called control API and a IPC mechanism to use it. - "jackcontrol" is an *always" running deamon that defined an entry IPC point. jackcontrol get requests from control applications. "jackcontrol" can start a seprated server called "jackserver (using a fork+exec) way. "jackcontrol" is a *unique* place where setting are handled. - "jackd" is a recoded control application that parse it's command line, and use the control IPC to speak to "jackcontrol" (then just quits). jackcontrol then start the "jackserver" whith the appropriate paramaters. - "jackddbus" is a D-Bus aware control application; It receive DBus requests and translate them to control IPC to speak to "jackcontrol". jackcontrol then start the "jackserver" whith the appropriate paramaters - "libjack.so" speaks also to "jackcontrol" using the control IPC: an client that auto-start actually use this mecanism Does it helps? Stephane