In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a global enterprise lookup (enterprise repository) is disclosed for providing a client with a mechanism for locating a needed service without knowing where that service is currently running in the enterprise. Whenever a service is launched in a container, that service registers itself with its domain registrar in order to make itself visible to the client in its own local domain but is visible only in the domain in which the service is running. A service must be registered with an enterprise level registry, the global enterprise lookup, to be visible throughout the enterprise. Clients needing a particular service that is not listed in the local registrar as running locally are directed to a global enterprise lookup (which may be implemented as a service for finding an enterprise repository) for the location of a global enterprise lookup within the enterprise. Additionally, the global enterprise lookup also manages VM container leases. When a service is launched, it acquires an enterprise lease with a local registrar. It must periodically renew the enterprise lease with the registrar to maintain its listing in the global enterprise lookup. If a service does not renew its lease within the time period of the lease, it is de-listed from the global enterprise lookup. If renewals are handled by the local domain registrars through replication and the like, the registrar may notify the global enterprise lookup of an enterprise lease renewal. Alternatively, specialized enterprise leasing services may be employed for tracking individual leases for services and notify the global enterprise lookup whenever an enterprise lease expires. Still alternatively, the enterprise employs a series of enterprise registrar services that trawl local registrars for registrations of services and registers the service with the enterprise repository.