When you use Remote Desktop Connetion (Start->Programs->Accessories->Communications->Remote Desktop Connection) to remote into an XP machine you get connected to the console session. I could not find a way to connect to the console session of a Win2K3 server using the Remote Desktop Connection UI Options button.
The trick is to use the command line with the /console argument.
mstsc /v:servername /console
Here is the help from MSDN.
Mstsc
Creates connections to terminal servers or other remote computers, edits an existing Remote Desktop Connection (.rdp) configuration file, and migrates legacy connection files that were created with Client Connection Manager to new .rdp connection files.
Syntax
mstsc.exe {ConnectionFile | /v:ServerName[:Port]} [/console] [/f] [/w:Width /h:Height]
mstsc.exe /edit"ConnectionFile"
mstsc.exe /migrate
Parameters
- ConnectionFile
- Specifies the name of an .rdp file for the connection.
- /v:ServerName[:Port]
- Specifies the remote computer and, optionally, the port number to which you want to connect.
- /console
- Connects to the console session of the specified Windows Server 2003 family operating system.
- /f
- Starts Remote Desktop connection in full-screen mode.
- /w:Width /h:Height
- Specifies the dimensions of the Remote Desktop screen.
- /edit"ConnectionFile"
- Opens the specified .rdp file for editing.
- /migrate
- Migrates legacy connection files that were created with Client Connection Manager to new .rdp connection files.
Remarks
- You must be an administrator on the server to which you are connecting to create a remote console connection.
- default.rdp is stored for each user as a hidden file in My Documents. User created .rdp files are stored by default in My Documents but can be moved anywhere.
Examples
To connect to the console session of a server, type:
mstsc /console
To open a file called filename.rdp for editing, type:
mstsc /edit filename.rdp
Formatting legend
| Format | Meaning |
| Italic | Information that the user must supply |
| Bold | Elements that the user must type exactly as shown |
| Ellipsis (...) | Parameter that can be repeated several times in a command line |
| Between brackets ([]) | Optional items |
| Between braces ({}); choices separated by pipe (|). Example: {even|odd} | Set of choices from which the user must choose only one |
Courier font | Code or program output |
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