Method and apparatus, in a data processing system that uses JMX as a mechanism for managing internal components, for processing JMX requests to a managed group that includes a plurality of group members. When a JMX request is transmitted to a first member of a group comprising a plurality of group members, a determination is made if the first member is in an active state capable of processing the request. If the first member is not in an active state, the JMX request is forwarded to a currently active member of the plurality of members for processing the request. The invention thus permits users to communicate with the group via JMX without knowing which member of the group is active at any particular time.