A method and system are provided for directing a client to a preferred
service instance. At creation of a service instance, the service binding
attribute of the created instance is extended to include assigned domains
and associated priorities. There are then two phases to directing a
client to the preferred service instance. The first phase is compilation
of a list of domains and priorities for the service in response to a
query. Upon completion of the first phase, a second phase is executed to
determine a preferred service for the client by comparing fully qualified
domain name entries and assigned priority entries.