Using YAST for network settings

Okay anyone able to help me understand why SuSE 8.2 Pro is making me reboot for the new settings to take effect when I use YAST to make IP and/or routing changes? I also get strange things when using the ifconfig and route commands where its not using the new settings right (so I end up manually changing the /etc/sysconfig/network/<interface> to the same settings rebooting and everything works great--so am I missing anything to clear the old settings so the new settings can take effect without a reboot--(I despise rebooting for IP changes) Thank You David Blomberg