I imagine it is so it can remain dynamic. When you change the static XML configs, you need to trigger a reload (you already know this most likely). After I modify the static XML and do reloadxml, if XML_CURL is still binding to directory and the request fails, the directory variables are still not read from the static XML. I understand the differences and trade-offs between the two. What I'm trying to accomplish is a HA solution that does not need to rely on XML_CURL 100%. In other words, if XML_CURL fails for some reason, all the XML will be close to up-to-date (maybe reloadxml every night?) static in memory. For some reason, the directory parameters and attributes as well as the entire dialplan will work from static XML if XML_CURL fails but not the directory variables.