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.