(You can download the sample from,
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.1/docs/guide/security/jsse/samples/index.html)
download the jssesample

the rmi sample.
Using 1.4.1_02
compiled java files
rmic HelloImpl
and started up the rmiregistry
Using this command line
Java/jdk1.4.1_02/bin/java -Djava.security.policy="policy" -Djavax.net.ssl.trustStore="%~dp0testkeys" -Djavax.net.ssl.trustStorePassword=testkeys -Djava.rmi.server.codebase="file:/Java/ALI/RMI/jssesamples/rmi/" -Djava.rmi.server.logcalls=true HelloImpl

I get what I expect
HelloServer bound in registry

now if nothing is done the process exits.
Trussing looks like a SIGUSR1 was issue and shortly thereafter the exit()

It is my understanding that the server should stay up and running waiting for connections.

I tried one connection from the client succesfully and the server still halts.

This is not the expected bahavior. Either a bug or something that was done incorrectly or this need to be documented behavior.

Also started up rmid just in case but that didn't have an effect.

this is a major concern as we don't feel this is the proper behavior for the server.