Need a freeware frontend interface to multiple RD connections.

  • Thread starter Thread starter jtpryan
  • Start date Start date
J

jtpryan

I have a LOT of RD desktop connections in a folder on my system for
connecting to lab systems. I would love to find a simple, free utility
where I could import them all in and then just select the connection I
need with friendly names, or maybe be able to group them according to
some criteria. I have found utiliities that let me create connections
within them, but they won't import current .RDP files.

-jtpr
 
i dont think those programs exist - i have 30 of mine on my quicklaunch
bar in alphabetical nature that works just dandy.

jeremy
 
I have a LOT of RD desktop connections in a folder on my system for
connecting to lab systems. I would love to find a simple, free utility
where I could import them all in and then just select the connection I
need with friendly names, or maybe be able to group them according to
some criteria. I have found utiliities that let me create connections
within them, but they won't import current .RDP files.
Click to expand...

You didn't mention your OS, but if it's XP, all I did to get this
functionality was to right click the taskbar, choose Toolbars/New
Toolbar... from the menu and point to the folder containing my .RDP files.
Walla! You could make them friendly names by pointing to a folder
containing shortcuts to the .RDP files; just give the shortcuts the
friendly names. For grouping, create multiple toolbars.

Sorry, I know there's no mention of freeware here, but if it gets the job
done, well...

HTH
 
Klaatu said:
You didn't mention your OS, but if it's XP, all I did to get this
functionality was to right click the taskbar, choose Toolbars/New
Toolbar... from the menu and point to the folder containing my .RDP files.
Walla! You could make them friendly names by pointing to a folder
containing shortcuts to the .RDP files; just give the shortcuts the
friendly names. For grouping, create multiple toolbars.

Sorry, I know there's no mention of freeware here, but if it gets the job
done, well...

HTH
Click to expand...



Great minds think alike. Yes, that is exactly what I have now, but I'm
talking ~200 systems. Plus, I kind of wanted to put this in some public
place for others to use as well.

But thank you for the input.

-jtpr
 
Great minds think alike. Yes, that is exactly what I have now, but
I'm talking ~200 systems. Plus, I kind of wanted to put this in some
public place for others to use as well.
Click to expand...

How about something like PStart (http://www.pegtop.net/start/), which can
present a menu of your RDP files. There's no import facility, but it uses
a simple XML file for its data so a small AutoIt script
(http://www.autoitscript.com) would take care of that:

;-------------------begin----------------

;Generate a PStart.xml file of RDP files found in a folder

Opt("MustDeclareVars", 1)

; Put the name of the folder containing the RDP files here
Global Const $RDPFolder = 'E:\My Documents'

Local $i
Local $aRDPs = FindRDPFiles()
If $aRDPs = 0 Then Exit

Local $fh = FileOpen('PStart.xml', 2)

FileWriteLine($fh, "<start>")
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & "<files>")
For $i = 1 To $aRDPs[0]
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & @TAB & '<file name="' & _
StringTrimRight($aRDPs[$i],4) & '">')
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & @TAB & @TAB & '<path="' & _
$RDPFolder & '\' & $aRDPs[$i] & '">')
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & @TAB & '</file>')
Next
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & "</files>")
FileWriteLine($fh, "</start>")
FileClose($fh)
Exit

Func FindRDPFiles()
Local $aRDPs[1] = [0], $file
Local $search = FileFindFirstFile($RDPFolder & "\*.rdp")
If $search = -1 Then
MsgBox(0, "Error", "No files matched the search pattern")
Return 0
EndIf
While True
$file = FileFindNextFile($search)
If @error Then ExitLoop
$aRDPs[0] +=1
ReDim $aRDPs[$aRDPs[0]+1]
$aRDPs[$aRDPs[0]] = $file
Wend
FileClose($search)
Return $aRDPs
EndFunc
;-------------------------end--------------------

Once present in the menu, PStart would allow you to move them around and
group them into folders, put friendly names on them, etc.

Just an idea. Hope you find something that fits your needs.
 
Klaatu said:
Great minds think alike. Yes, that is exactly what I have now, but
I'm talking ~200 systems. Plus, I kind of wanted to put this in some
public place for others to use as well.
Click to expand...

How about something like PStart (http://www.pegtop.net/start/), which can
present a menu of your RDP files. There's no import facility, but it uses
a simple XML file for its data so a small AutoIt script
(http://www.autoitscript.com) would take care of that:

;-------------------begin----------------

;Generate a PStart.xml file of RDP files found in a folder

Opt("MustDeclareVars", 1)

; Put the name of the folder containing the RDP files here
Global Const $RDPFolder = 'E:\My Documents'

Local $i
Local $aRDPs = FindRDPFiles()
If $aRDPs = 0 Then Exit

Local $fh = FileOpen('PStart.xml', 2)

FileWriteLine($fh, "<start>")
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & "<files>")
For $i = 1 To $aRDPs[0]
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & @TAB & '<file name="' & _
StringTrimRight($aRDPs[$i],4) & '">')
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & @TAB & @TAB & '<path="' & _
$RDPFolder & '\' & $aRDPs[$i] & '">')
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & @TAB & '</file>')
Next
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & "</files>")
FileWriteLine($fh, "</start>")
FileClose($fh)
Exit

Func FindRDPFiles()
Local $aRDPs[1] = [0], $file
Local $search = FileFindFirstFile($RDPFolder & "\*.rdp")
If $search = -1 Then
MsgBox(0, "Error", "No files matched the search pattern")
Return 0
EndIf
While True
$file = FileFindNextFile($search)
If @error Then ExitLoop
$aRDPs[0] +=1
ReDim $aRDPs[$aRDPs[0]+1]
$aRDPs[$aRDPs[0]] = $file
Wend
FileClose($search)
Return $aRDPs
EndFunc
;-------------------------end--------------------

Once present in the menu, PStart would allow you to move them around and
group them into folders, put friendly names on them, etc.

Just an idea. Hope you find something that fits your needs.
Click to expand...

Thank you, that might do it. I can drag and drop the RDP files right
into it. I can also group them from within the interface, then back it
up and restore it across systems.

-Jim
 
Hi All,

You may be interested in downloading this:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...15-C8F4-47EF-A1E4-A8DCBACFF8E3&displaylang=en


Summary of the one snap-in that would be of interest to you:

"Remote Desktops snap-in overviewThe Remote Desktops snap-in is ideal for
administrators who are remotely administering multiple servers or terminal
servers. You can create Remote Desktop connections to multiple terminal
servers or to computers running Windows 2000 Server or Windows Server 2003
family operating systems with the Remote Desktops MMC snap-in. A navigable
tree display provides easy switching between connections."

Enjoy!
-Scott

jtpryan said:
Great minds think alike. Yes, that is exactly what I have now, but
I'm talking ~200 systems. Plus, I kind of wanted to put this in some
public place for others to use as well.
Click to expand...

How about something like PStart (http://www.pegtop.net/start/), which can
present a menu of your RDP files. There's no import facility, but it uses
a simple XML file for its data so a small AutoIt script
(http://www.autoitscript.com) would take care of that:

;-------------------begin----------------

;Generate a PStart.xml file of RDP files found in a folder

Opt("MustDeclareVars", 1)

; Put the name of the folder containing the RDP files here
Global Const $RDPFolder = 'E:\My Documents'

Local $i
Local $aRDPs = FindRDPFiles()
If $aRDPs = 0 Then Exit

Local $fh = FileOpen('PStart.xml', 2)

FileWriteLine($fh, "<start>")
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & "<files>")
For $i = 1 To $aRDPs[0]
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & @TAB & '<file name="' & _
StringTrimRight($aRDPs[$i],4) & '">')
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & @TAB & @TAB & '<path="' & _
$RDPFolder & '\' & $aRDPs[$i] & '">')
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & @TAB & '</file>')
Next
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & "</files>")
FileWriteLine($fh, "</start>")
FileClose($fh)
Exit

Func FindRDPFiles()
Local $aRDPs[1] = [0], $file
Local $search = FileFindFirstFile($RDPFolder & "\*.rdp")
If $search = -1 Then
MsgBox(0, "Error", "No files matched the search pattern")
Return 0
EndIf
While True
$file = FileFindNextFile($search)
If @error Then ExitLoop
$aRDPs[0] +=1
ReDim $aRDPs[$aRDPs[0]+1]
$aRDPs[$aRDPs[0]] = $file
Wend
FileClose($search)
Return $aRDPs
EndFunc
;-------------------------end--------------------

Once present in the menu, PStart would allow you to move them around and
group them into folders, put friendly names on them, etc.

Just an idea. Hope you find something that fits your needs.
Click to expand...

Thank you, that might do it. I can drag and drop the RDP files right
into it. I can also group them from within the interface, then back it
up and restore it across systems.

-Jim
Click to expand...
 
SacredCow said:
Hi All,

You may be interested in downloading this:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...15-C8F4-47EF-A1E4-A8DCBACFF8E3&displaylang=en


Summary of the one snap-in that would be of interest to you:

"Remote Desktops snap-in overviewThe Remote Desktops snap-in is ideal for
administrators who are remotely administering multiple servers or terminal
servers. You can create Remote Desktop connections to multiple terminal
servers or to computers running Windows 2000 Server or Windows Server 2003
family operating systems with the Remote Desktops MMC snap-in. A navigable
tree display provides easy switching between connections."

Enjoy!
-Scott

jtpryan said:
On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 16:12:38 GMT, jtpryan posted to alt.comp.freeware:

Great minds think alike. Yes, that is exactly what I have now, but
I'm talking ~200 systems. Plus, I kind of wanted to put this in some
public place for others to use as well.

How about something like PStart (http://www.pegtop.net/start/), which can
present a menu of your RDP files. There's no import facility, but it uses
a simple XML file for its data so a small AutoIt script
(http://www.autoitscript.com) would take care of that:

;-------------------begin----------------

;Generate a PStart.xml file of RDP files found in a folder

Opt("MustDeclareVars", 1)

; Put the name of the folder containing the RDP files here
Global Const $RDPFolder = 'E:\My Documents'

Local $i
Local $aRDPs = FindRDPFiles()
If $aRDPs = 0 Then Exit

Local $fh = FileOpen('PStart.xml', 2)

FileWriteLine($fh, "<start>")
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & "<files>")
For $i = 1 To $aRDPs[0]
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & @TAB & '<file name="' & _
StringTrimRight($aRDPs[$i],4) & '">')
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & @TAB & @TAB & '<path="' & _
$RDPFolder & '\' & $aRDPs[$i] & '">')
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & @TAB & '</file>')
Next
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & "</files>")
FileWriteLine($fh, "</start>")
FileClose($fh)
Exit

Func FindRDPFiles()
Local $aRDPs[1] = [0], $file
Local $search = FileFindFirstFile($RDPFolder & "\*.rdp")
If $search = -1 Then
MsgBox(0, "Error", "No files matched the search pattern")
Return 0
EndIf
While True
$file = FileFindNextFile($search)
If @Error Then ExitLoop
$aRDPs[0] +=1
ReDim $aRDPs[$aRDPs[0]+1]
$aRDPs[$aRDPs[0]] = $file
Wend
FileClose($search)
Return $aRDPs
EndFunc
;-------------------------end--------------------

Once present in the menu, PStart would allow you to move them around and
group them into folders, put friendly names on them, etc.

Just an idea. Hope you find something that fits your needs.
Click to expand...

Thank you, that might do it. I can drag and drop the RDP files right
into it. I can also group them from within the interface, then back it
up and restore it across systems.

-Jim
Click to expand...
Click to expand...


Nice... but.

Once I get my MANY (100+) servers all loaded into the RD snap-in is
there anyway to now move it to another machine, or to put it on a
server and reach it there? Where is the data file it keeps everything
in?

-Jim
 
I believe it keeps it in the registry and you could probably find it there,
export the registry key and reimport it on another system. I've not tested
this with that front end but based on other similar apps it's a likely bet.

-Scott

jtpryan said:
Hi All,

You may be interested in downloading this:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...15-C8F4-47EF-A1E4-A8DCBACFF8E3&displaylang=en


Summary of the one snap-in that would be of interest to you:

"Remote Desktops snap-in overviewThe Remote Desktops snap-in is ideal for
administrators who are remotely administering multiple servers or terminal
servers. You can create Remote Desktop connections to multiple terminal
servers or to computers running Windows 2000 Server or Windows Server 2003
family operating systems with the Remote Desktops MMC snap-in. A navigable
tree display provides easy switching between connections."

Enjoy!
-Scott

jtpryan said:
Klaatu wrote:
On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 16:12:38 GMT, jtpryan posted to alt.comp.freeware:

Great minds think alike. Yes, that is exactly what I have now, but
I'm talking ~200 systems. Plus, I kind of wanted to put this in some
public place for others to use as well.

How about something like PStart (http://www.pegtop.net/start/), which can
present a menu of your RDP files. There's no import facility, but it uses
a simple XML file for its data so a small AutoIt script
(http://www.autoitscript.com) would take care of that:

;-------------------begin----------------

;Generate a PStart.xml file of RDP files found in a folder

Opt("MustDeclareVars", 1)

; Put the name of the folder containing the RDP files here
Global Const $RDPFolder = 'E:\My Documents'

Local $i
Local $aRDPs = FindRDPFiles()
If $aRDPs = 0 Then Exit

Local $fh = FileOpen('PStart.xml', 2)

FileWriteLine($fh, "<start>")
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & "<files>")
For $i = 1 To $aRDPs[0]
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & @TAB & '<file name="' & _
StringTrimRight($aRDPs[$i],4) & '">')
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & @TAB & @TAB & '<path="' & _
$RDPFolder & '\' & $aRDPs[$i] & '">')
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & @TAB & '</file>')
Next
FileWriteLine($fh, @TAB & "</files>")
FileWriteLine($fh, "</start>")
FileClose($fh)
Exit

Func FindRDPFiles()
Local $aRDPs[1] = [0], $file
Local $search = FileFindFirstFile($RDPFolder & "\*.rdp")
If $search = -1 Then
MsgBox(0, "Error", "No files matched the search pattern")
Return 0
EndIf
While True
$file = FileFindNextFile($search)
If @Error Then ExitLoop
$aRDPs[0] +=1
ReDim $aRDPs[$aRDPs[0]+1]
$aRDPs[$aRDPs[0]] = $file
Wend
FileClose($search)
Return $aRDPs
EndFunc
;-------------------------end--------------------

Once present in the menu, PStart would allow you to move them around and
group them into folders, put friendly names on them, etc.

Just an idea. Hope you find something that fits your needs.

--
def.: recursion: see recursion.

Thank you, that might do it. I can drag and drop the RDP files right
into it. I can also group them from within the interface, then back it
up and restore it across systems.

-Jim
Click to expand...
Click to expand...


Nice... but.

Once I get my MANY (100+) servers all loaded into the RD snap-in is
there anyway to now move it to another machine, or to put it on a
server and reach it there? Where is the data file it keeps everything
in?

-Jim
Click to expand...
 
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