Described are techniques for performing remote procedure calls (RPCs). An RPC API is described which provides for using an optimized technique and an unoptimized technique for performing RPCs. The optimized technique includes a client container performing a call to obtain RPC configuration information which is then stored by the client container and may be used by the client container in connection with multiple RPC invocations. Techniques are also described for communicating parameter information between containers executing in different address spaces by forming parameter information on the client side using embedded lists, encoding the parameter information on the client side prior to transmission to the server, and transmitting the encoded parameter information to the server which determines output parameters and returns the output parameters to the client.