Abstract: A method is described wherein tasks are managed in a hierarchical fashion using multiple directories servers and multiple resource management servers each of the directory servers and management servers having either distinct or overlapping responsibilities. The method includes determining that a client computer requires that a first task be performed by a server computer configured to handle that first task, causing the client computer to query the directory server to determine which servers within the plurality of servers is configured to handle the first task, causing the directory server to determine at least one server within the plurality of servers which is configured to handle the first task, and to transmit specific information about the at least one server to the client computer. The method proceeds with causing the client computer to transmit a task request to a preferred server chosen from the at least one servers.