1. A computer implemented method for performing a filtered search in a directory environment, the computer implemented method comprising: receiving, at a directory server, a search request from a client application comprising a search filter control, a sort control and a range filter control, wherein the search filter control defines a set of requested data, wherein the sort control defines a sorting order of the set of requested data, and wherein the range filter control defines a range of entries in the set of requested data; obtaining data entries from a set of directories associated with the directory server, wherein the data entries match a search value defined in the search filter control, and wherein the matching data entries are sorted according to sort attributes defined in the sort control to form a sorted list of matching entries; collecting a subset of data entries in the sorted list of matching entries, wherein the subset of data entries match a range value defined in the range filter control; and sending a response comprising the collected subset of data entries to the client application, wherein the client application includes a cookie in a subsequent search request to indicate to the directory server that the subsequent search request is a continuation of the search request.