An apparatus comprising: at least one of: (a) means for selecting a server storing data as a function of predefined policies based on a path name, (b) means for selecting said server storing said data as a function of predetermined policies based on a load of said server, and (c) means for selecting said server storing said data as a function of predefined policies based on the state of said server; and means for receiving said data from said server; characterised in that the apparatus further comprises: means for identifying a previously-opened connection to said server established in response to a request from a first client, and identifying sequence and acknowledgment numbers used in said connection; means for receiving from a second client a request to retrieve data using a network address and a path name, wherein the request from the second client includes a GET segment having sequence and acknowledgment parameters; means for requesting said data from said server using said previously-opened connection by modifying said sequence and acknowledgment parameters in said GET segment to produce a modified GET segment based on said information identifying sequence and acknowledgment numbers already used, and sending said modified GET segment to said server; and means for sending said data to said second client. at least one of: (a) means for selecting a server storing data as a function of predefined policies based on a path name, (b) means for selecting said server storing said data as a function of predetermined policies based on a load of said server, and (c) means for selecting said server storing said data as a function of predefined policies based on the state of said server; and means for receiving said data from said server; characterised in that the apparatus further comprises: means for identifying a previously-opened connection to said server established in response to a request from a first client, and identifying sequence and acknowledgment numbers used in said connection; means for receiving from a second client a request to retrieve data using a network address and a path name, wherein the request from the second client includes a GET segment having sequence and acknowledgment parameters; means for requesting said data from said server using said previously-opened connection by modifying said sequence and acknowledgment parameters in said GET segment to produce a modified GET segment based on said information identifying sequence and acknowledgment numbers already used, and sending said modified GET segment to said server; and means for sending said data to said second client. means for identifying a previously-opened connection to said server established in response to a request from a first client, and identifying sequence and acknowledgment numbers used in said connection; means for receiving from a second client a request to retrieve data using a network address and a path name, wherein the request from the second client includes a GET segment having sequence and acknowledgment parameters; means for requesting said data from said server using said previously-opened connection by modifying said sequence and acknowledgment parameters in said GET segment to produce a modified GET segment based on said information identifying sequence and acknowledgment numbers already used, and sending said modified GET segment to said server; and means for sending said data to said second client.