Color Coding Scheme in Remote Distibuted Systems

I always have to work hard to remember which server is live, which is for production, which is for development, etc. It’s also difficult to tell at a glance which remote server I’m connected to over remote desktop. Typically I change the wallpaper color to red for production servers, green for development servers and yellow for staging servers. But that doesn’t solve the second problem of immediately knowing which server I’m connected to. I needed my other teammates to know that this is a crucial machine and they should not use it.

The typical Color Codes I use:
Red:    Crucial Machine. Presently in Use, no one should Touch it.
Green: Free to go. Idle machine. Anyone can use.
Blue:    Free. But requires permission before last user, in case there are some logs he or she may need to take backup

Method 1: graphical UI method at time of connection
Though this seems to be a good approach, but I still recommend doing the colored background with the wallpaper since not all connecting clients will have desktop wallpaper enabled.  Since if background color enabled, it will be shown to user connecting to machine. Image how to chage….
There is no special need for rdb client to have certain option while making a connection. Also since it slows: Refer this small post:- Disable the remote host desktop wallpaper
http://new-it-discussions.blogspot.in/2012/09/disable-remote-host-desktop-wallpaper.html

Method 2: Setting using Default.rdp file to control parameters and behavior in remote desktop rdp/mstsc connections
When you use the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to connect to a remote computer, the Default.rdp file is created on the client computer. This article discusses the connection settings that are stored in the Default.rdp file. For details view [Anwar Jamal Faiz Web Post] What is default.rdp file in remote desktop

Method 3: Using Group policy editor in Remote Desktop Connections [gpedit.exe]
First off, your RDP client (Remote Desktop Connection client in the case of Windows XP) has to have remote wallpaper enabled. On XP, open the saved Remote Desktop Connection file to the server you are connecting and click the Experience tab. Place a check in the option “Desktop background”. This allows the client to see enabled desktop wallpapers.
Second, connect to the remote Win2k3 server and from a Run box, type “mmc” and go to to open group policy editor
If you don’t know just simply type on run “gpedit.msc”
Start->Run->gpedit.msc [then press Enter]
Now browse to Local Computer Policy -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Terminal Services. From the list, modify “Always show desktop on connection” to “Enabled” and “Enforce Removal of Remote Desktop Wallpaper” to “Disabled”. Now close the MMC clicking “No” about saving the settings.
Log out of your remote desktop connection and login again, making sure your RDP client has desktop wallpaper enabled. Now you should be able to rt-click the desktop and apply wallpaper normally. I still recommend doing the colored background with the wallpaper since not all connecting clients will have desktop wallpaper enabled.

This policy setting determines whether the desktop is always displayed after a client connects to a remote computer or an initial program can run. It can be used to require that the desktop be displayed after a client connects to a remote computer, even if an initial program is already specified in the default user profile, Remote Desktop Connection, Terminal Services Client, or through Group Policy.

If you enable this policy setting, the desktop is always displayed when a client connects to a remote computer. This policy setting overrides any initial program policy settings. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, an initial program can be specified that runs on the remote computer after the client connects to the remote computer. If an initial program is not specified, the desktop is always displayed on the remote computer after the client connects to the remote computer.
Note: If this policy setting is enabled, then the "Start a program on connection" policy setting is ignored.

I guess this was my final  post on the topic. I wont write more on the topic. :) There is no need, its complete :)

Related posts:

1. http://new-it-discussions.blogspot.in/2012/09/what-is-defaultrdp-file-in-remote.html

2. http://new-it-discussions.blogspot.in/2012/09/disable-remote-host-desktop-wallpaper.html

3. http://new-it-discussions.blogspot.in/2012/09/mstsc-options-remote-desktop-switches.html

--Mohd Anwar Jamal Faiz

Toughjamy@yahoo.com

Disable the remote host desktop wallpaper using Group Policy Settings *

A desktop wallpaper is an image or photograph that is displayed as the background on a computer desktop. It is typically used to personalize the appearance of a computer, and can be changed to reflect a user's preferences or interests. Desktop wallpapers can be found in many different styles and themes, including landscapes, nature scenes, abstract designs, and photographs of famous people, or famous quotes and slogans. They can be set as a static image or as a slideshow that changes images at regular intervals.

Users can speed up the rendering of the remote PC desktop display, particularly over slow data links, by disabling the display of the remote PC desktop wallpaper on the client PC's. This can be configured on the Remote Desktop host PC using the Group Policy Editor.

Windows Group Policy Settings is a feature in the Windows operating system that allows administrators to centrally manage and configure settings for multiple computers in a network. It allows administrators to apply policies and settings to specific groups of users or computers, such as disabling certain features, controlling access to certain applications, and setting security and privacy settings. These policies can be applied to both local and domain-joined computers. It is a powerful tool for managing and securing a network of Windows computers.

Also see the Using Group Policy with Remote Desktop section of the Resource Kit. Run gpedit.msc and navigate to the Local Computer Policy | Computer Configuration | Administrative Templates | Windows Components | Terminal Services policies. Double click on the Enforce Removal of Remote Desktop Wallpaper policy and select Enable. Click OK to save the new configuration. Click on File | Exit to exit the Group Policy Editor.

This post can be used in conjunction with my other post:
http://new-it-discussions.blogspot.in/2012/09/color-coding-scheme-in-remote.html



--Mohd Anwar jamal Faiz

What is default.rdp file in remote desktop

When you use RDP to connect to a remote computer, you can use the Remote Desktop ConnectionOptions dialog box to configure many of the connection settings. To configure these settings, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click Run, type mstsc.exe, and then click OK.
2. In the Remote Desktop Connection dialog box, click Options.
You can save *.rdp files with different settings if you connect to multiple remote computers. To save a new configuration, click Save As on the General tab in Options.

Default file is Default.rdp in My documents of Target computer (obviously the docs of Username used to login will be scanned, and not The documents folder of Anwar Jamal Faiz!!)

Settings that are stored in the Default.rdp file:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/885187   refer 
By default, the Default.rdp file is created in your My Documents folder. The following RDP settings are stored in the Desktop.rdp file: 

desktopwidth:i
This setting corresponds to the desktop width that you select on the Display tab in Remote Desktop Connection Options.

Note Microsoft Windows CE-based devices support only full-screen mode.

desktopheight:i
This setting corresponds to the desktop height that you select on the Display tab in Remote Desktop Connection Options.

Note Microsoft Windows CE-based devices support only full-screen mode.

session bpp:i
This setting corresponds to the color depth that you select in Colors on the Display tab in Remote Desktop Connection Options.

Note Microsoft Windows CE-based devices support only full-screen mode.

winposstr:s
This setting corresponds to the window position that you select on the Display tab in Remote Desktop Connection Options.

Note On desktop computers, this setting determines the Remote Desktop Connection dialog box position on the screen. The six numbers represent a string form of the WINDOWPOS structure. For more information about the WINDOWPOS function, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms632612.aspx
Note Microsoft Windows CE-based devices support only full-screen mode.

auto connect:i
This setting is not used by desktop computers or by Windows CE-based clients.

full address:s
This setting determines the computer that you connect to. The setting corresponds to the entry in theComputer box on the General tab of Remote Desktop Connection Options.

compression:i
This setting determines whether data is compressed when it is transmitted to the client computer. 

Value Setting
0 Compression is off.
1 Compression is on.


keyboardhook:i
This setting determines where Windows key combinations are applied. This setting corresponds to the selection in the Keyboard box on the Local Resources tab of Remote Desktop Connection Options.

Value Setting
0 Applied on the local computer.
1 Applied on the remote computer.
2 Applied in full-screen mode only.


audiomode:i
This setting determines where sounds are played. This setting corresponds to the selection in the Remote computer sound box on the Local Resources tab of Remote Desktop Connection Options.

Value Setting
0 Play sound on the client computer.
1 Play sound on the host computer.
2 Do not play sounds.


redirectdrives:i
This setting determines whether disk drives are automatically connected when you log on to the remote computer. This setting corresponds to the selection in the Disk Drives box on the Local Resources tab of Remote Desktop Connection Options.

Value Setting
0 Drives are not automatically reconnected.
1 Drives are automatically reconnected.


redirectprinters:i
This setting determines whether printers are automatically connected when you log on to the remote computer. This setting corresponds to the selection in the Printers check box on the Local Resources tab of Remote Desktop Connection Options.

Value Setting
0 Printers are not automatically reconnected.
1 Printers are automatically reconnected.


redirectcomports:i
This setting determines whether COM ports are automatically connected when you log on to the remote computer. This setting corresponds to the selection in the Serial Ports box on the Local Resources tab of Remote Desktop Connection Options.

Value Setting
0 COM ports are not automatically reconnected.
1 COM ports are automatically reconnected.


redirectsmartcards:i
This setting determines whether smart cards are automatically connected when you log on to the remote computer. This setting corresponds to the selection in the Smart cards box on the Local Resources tab of Remote Desktop Connection Options.

Value Setting
0 Smart cards are not automatically reconnected.
1 Smart cards are automatically reconnected.


displayconnectionbar:i
This setting determines whether the connection bar is displayed when you log on to the remote computer in full-screen mode. This setting corresponds to the selection in the Display the connection bar when in full screen mode check box on the Display tab of Remote Desktop Connection Options.

Value Setting
0 Connection bar does not appear.
1 Connection bar appears.


username:s
This setting determines the user name that is displayed in RDP. The setting corresponds to the entry in theUser name box on the General tab of Remote Desktop Connection Options.

domain:s
This setting determines the user name that is displayed in the Remote Desktop Connection dialog box. It corresponds to the entry in the Domain box on the General tab of Remote Desktop Connection Options.

alternate shell:s
This setting determines whether a program is started automatically when you connect with RDP. The setting corresponds to the entry in the Program path and file name box on the Programs tab of Remote Desktop Connection Options.

shell working directory:s
This setting is the folder location for the application that is started automatically when you connect with RDP. The setting corresponds to the entry in the Program path and file name box on the Programs tab of Remote Desktop Connection Options.

disable wallpaper:i
This setting determines whether the desktop background appears when you log on to the remote computer. This setting corresponds to the selection in the Desktop background check box on theExperience tab of Remote Desktop Connection Options.

Value Setting
0 Wallpaper appears.
1 Wallpaper does not appear.


disable full window drag:i
This setting determines whether folder contents appear when you drag the folder to a new location. This setting corresponds to the selection in the Show contents of window while dragging check box on theExperience tab of Remote Desktop Connection Options.

Value Setting
0 Folder contents appear while dragging.
1 Folder contents do not appear while dragging.


disable menu anims:i
This setting determines how menus and windows appear when you log on to the remote computer. This setting corresponds to the selection in the Menu and window animation check box on the Experience tab of Remote Desktop Connection Options.

Value Setting
0 Menu and window animations are permitted.
1 Menu and window animations are not permitted.


disable themes:i
This setting determines whether themes are permitted when you log on to the remote computer. This setting corresponds to the selection in the Themes check box on the Experience tab of Remote Desktop Connection Options.

Value Setting
0 Themes are permitted.
1 Themes are not permitted.


bitmapcachepersistenable:i
This setting determines whether bitmaps are cached on the local computer. This setting corresponds to the selection in the Bitmap caching check box on the Experience tab of Remote Desktop ConnectionOptions.

Value Setting
0 Caching is not enabled.
1 Caching is enabled.


autoreconnection enabled:i
This setting determines whether a client computer automatically tries to reconnect after being disconnected. 

Value Setting
0 Client computer does not automatically try to reconnect.
1 Client computer automatically tries to reconnect.