* @param request An <code>Element</code> containing the update.
     */
    private Element askElement(ServerPlayer serverPlayer, Element request) {
        Connection connection = serverPlayer.getConnection();
        if (request == null || connection == null) return null;

        Element reply;
        try {
            reply = connection.askDumping(request);
        } catch (IOException e) {
            logger.log(Level.WARNING, "Could not send \""
                + request.getTagName() + "\"-message.", e);
            reply = null;
        }
        return reply;
    }