One of the cool new features of Windows Server 2003 is the ability to get a console session on the terminal server. Unlike Windows XP Pro which gives you the console when you connect via RDP, Windows Server 2003 starts a new session when you connect via RDP. There is a way to get the console session, here is how!

From a command prompt type

mstsc.exe /v:{servername or IP} /console

Press Enter and boom, you got the console session. It should be noted that like in XP, this will lock out the actual console if anyone is working there. There are a few more switches you can add to configure your console session, or any other session for that matter.

• /f - will give you full screen
• /w:{width} - will set the RDP screen width
• /h:{height} - will set the RDP screen height
• /v:{serverIP:port} if you have changed the port number used to connect.