The Thousand Parsec server (tpserver-*) will be extended to include a new server configuration protocol, which will allow remote command passing and a remote interactive shell for configuration, administration, and monitoring. A relevant command set will be incorporated to access the appropriate internal functions. The server will be modified so that all such operations are encapsulated in this client-server paradigm, and an internal “client” using the same services will be integrated into the server itself in order to preserve existing functionality. A console-based configuration client and a web-based interface will also be provided as appropriate.

A special configuration client will be integrated into the main Thousand Parsec client (tpclient-pywx) and presented as a user-friendly single-player game configuration menu.

The protocol itself would be implemented in a library similar to, or within if appropriate, the game protocol library (libtpproto-*). It will use proper secure authentication, and will, where appropriate, be based on or be implemented using similar existing software.

Design objectives will include adherence to Thousand Parsec's philosophies and conventions, preservation of existing functionality where appropriate, modularity and extensibility for future use, use of existing software and standards where appropriate, and minimal code base inflation.