1. A method for implementing functionality within a network on behalf of first and second computers communicating with each other through the network, the method comprising the acts of: providing a front-end computer within the network having an interface for communicating data traffic with the first computer; providing a back-end computer within the network having an interface for communicating data traffic with the second computer; providing a communication channel coupling the front-end computer and the back-end computer; and encoding data traffic over the communication channel in a first process in the front-end computer; encoding data traffic over the communication channel in a second process in the back-end computer, wherein the first process and the second process implement compatible semantics.