Abstract: A host computer provides at least one network client with access to at least one network service in a distributed computing environment includes a data processing system that is configured to provide the network clients with access by transmitting lookup service interface means to the network clients. The host computer includes a lookup service which has information associated with each network service. The lookup service means is “self-contained”, in that it includes a reference to the network service sufficient to allow the network client to communicate with the network service. The lookup service interface means comprises a non-proxy interface object that is configured to facilitate non-proxy communication with the lookup service.