A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and system for creating directory services is described for testing a software application that accesses directory services and comprises receiving a configuration file specifying identification parameters and configuration parameters for configuring directory services, automatically generating a plurality of directory service processing instructions based upon the plurality of identification and configuration parameters in the configuration file, executing the plurality of directory service processing instructions to perform operations to set up directory services without requiring a user to manually provide parameters to set up the directory services, and executing a software application access a storage system using the directory services, including evaluating operations performed by the software application. The operations performed include detecting an operating system environment, invoking a plurality of directory service components, installing and setting up a directory service instance, configuring the directory service instance, and validating that the directory service instance.