We're implementing a terminal server into the network here at work. We currently have 35 employees who need to use RDP to log into the terminal server. All workstations have either Windows 2k or XP installed.

My goal is to have all workstations boot directly into remote desktop upon boot. There's two ways I'm interested in, but think the best way is for a live cd of linux.

1. I have the computers boot into the Guest account of the Windows installation where upon bootup RDP is started up immediately.
2. I have a Live CD of a Linux distro boot directly into command line which then starts up rdesktop.

As I said, #2 is what I want to go with. Since I'm a total newbie with Linux, I have no clue where to start with this project.

Can anyone help me figure out which distro I should use, how to make a Live CD boot directly into command line, and then have rdesktop start up immediately? Is that even possible?

Do you think I might be able to accomplish this through this distro? http://ubuntu-mini-remix.crealabs.it/

I could then use something like Reconstructor to customize it, but could I use that to set startup programs too?

I think what I'm hoping to get is possible, I just don't know where to begin to create it. I'd really appreciate any advice or help.

If you have rdp.exe on each of the windows machines, it sould seem easy to copy and paste it into the Start menu so that it executes on power up.

If rdp is a linux script then the next easiest thing is to create a Batch file to log your users on to linux andexecute the rcp at login to the linux machine. Of course the Batch file would need to be pasted into the startup menu on each of the windows machines.

Note: Pre windows XP machines have and Autoexec.bat file that can contain the startup and login to linux commands

Another possibility would be to just load linux on the desktops and let them use a startup script to log into the server and srart rdp

Finally, you could set up a machine with a linux distro and add the start up stuff in /etc/rc.local and then clone the desktop using DD or something like that and create a bunch of CD copies of that clone and then let them boot up from the CD.

Good luck with your project!

thanks for the reply. i'm basically trying to have a live cd that acts as a thin client with nearly 0 applications except rdesktop (rdp, rdc, mstsc) so that when it boots up, it looks like they just put in the username and password to get into their profile.

i'm trying to skip the double sign-in and double OS part as much as possible so that it's a seamless experience for the user.

Is there anything on the local workstation hard drives that would prevent you from replacing DOS with Linux and automating the login process?

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john test, there really isn't anything preventing me except time! i need something easy and quick. i think a live cd would be the best solution IF i can make it work the way i want.