The core cache only 'needs' the MBeanServer so it can register itself and it's interceptors with it, if it's configured to do so. But, you're right, that's not the way to go. The core cache shouldn't be dealing with this stuff. Question: how does stuff get registered in JMX if deployed via a -beans.xml? I vaguely recall reading somewhere months ago that that could be done, but I can't find anyplace showing how. From what I see now (e.g. the AspectManager bean in the AS), it looks like the bean needs to expose a property where the MC passes in the MBeanServer; presumably it's then the bean's responsibility to register itself. Please let me know if that's wrong. View the original post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=viewtopic&p=3983302#... Reply to the post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=posting&mode=reply&a...