Abstract: A computer system accesses a list of connections. The list of connections identifies computers, protocols, and/or types of connections that can be used. The computer system attempts to establish a connection to a server. While establishing the connection, the computer system can store a user's credential. If the connection to the server fails, the computer system attempts to access a connection from the list, and uses the stored user credential (if it exists) to authenticate the user on the new connection without requesting the credential anew from the user.

Abstract: A directory services system includes a resource object, such as an application object for accessing a resource associated with the resource object. Attributes of the resource object reflect proximity of the actual resource to a user, in some measurable, physical dimension. The proximity attributes may be used to access functionally equivalent instances of a resource object based on proximity. Also, load balancing, fault tolerance, and other factors may be relied upon to select a preferred resource whenever a requested resource is unavailable. A resource, via its resource object in the directory services database, may be easily disabled for maintenance, or any other reason by setting a new disabling attribute in the object.