Abstract: In a network of computer systems, each node having client applications that perform server application discovery is provided with a client discovery service having a first collection of functions, including a first registration function for registering discovery callback procedures of client applications, and a send function for sending discovery packets on behalf of the client applications. Additionally, each node having server applications that are interested in being discovered by client applications is provided with a server discovery service having a second collection of functions, including a second registration function for registering server applications interested in being discovered, and a respond function for sending discovery response packets on behalf of the registered server applications. During operation, these functions facilitate the client applications in performing server application discovery in a manner that reduces network traffics.