An architecture for performing communications between a remote computer system and a host server over a "connection establishment" type network (i.e., dial-up) is described. The architecture comprises configuring the remote computer system with a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) stack. Similarly, an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) service module and a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server are configured on the remote computer system. The PPP stack provides dial-up networking capabilities, while the DHCP server and the ARP service module provide "always connected" type network (i.e., LAN) messaging functionality. The PPP stack, the ARP service module, and the DHCP server are configured as a driver that is installed on the remote computer system. As such, the driver will enable a connection over the "connection establishment" type network that will appear to be an "always connected" type connection to the remote computer system.