Hi to you !
There is something called "custom service" which can be called prior to the server start up but there are a few problems with it as far as I remember. (no jndi while the services is activated and several restrictions about what you can or can not do during the service activation. I found myself using the dummy servlet as a better solution.
Good luck and you can mail me more qst (because I usually do not come in here) to the following address:
oren@cmr-bll.co.il
Bye bye