I sometimes need to boot from a Ubuntu Live CD (I'm using the latest 9.10) to create a VPN connection to my computer at work in a Windows Server 2003 domain.

It's inconvenient enough to have to install several pieces of software each time before I can even configure the connection but is there any way I can avoid having to download over 80MB of updates which I have no interest in before I can even install the packages I need (which take up much less space)? Also, why is it not possible to update through the Ubuntu Software Center?

I'm assuming you mean the automatic updates? If so, (and I'm assuming it is the same with the LiveCd as it is with the installed OS) you shouldn't need to update at all.

If you haven't tried this already, when you boot to the LiveCD go ahead and go into Synaptic Package Manager, and at the top left there should be a little arrow icon (like a refresh button, the pop-up should say "refresh list" or something like that). Click that. When the resulting operation has finished you should be able to download any software you like.

Apart from that, why do you have to boot in a Linux Live CD in order to make VPN connection to a W2k3 server?

If you already have a Linux machine, isn't easier to install the VPN in that machine?

If you have a Windows machine, isn't easier to create an SSH tunnel using Putty to whatever you need?

jlinkels