1. In a distributed system having a distributed file system and at least one storage device for storing objects, a method comprising the steps of: storing file objects on the storage device, the file objects being manipulatable through an application programming interface; storing directory service objects on the storage device for access by clients, sad directory service objects providing directory services for the distributed system and being manipulatable through the application programming interface; receiving from a client a request to manipulate a directory service object stored on the storage device; and in response to receiving the request, activating an agent to manipulate the directory service object on behalf of the client; and under control of the activated agent, invoking the application programming interface to manipulate the directory service object whereby the client indirectly manipulates the directory service object through the activated agent and wherein the same application programming interface is utilizable to manipulate both the file objects and the directory service objects.