diff --git a/lu/hrs/mirth/MetaAppender.java b/lu/hrs/mirth/MetaAppender.java
index c8937e6..32c5ba7 100644
--- a/lu/hrs/mirth/MetaAppender.java
+++ b/lu/hrs/mirth/MetaAppender.java
@@ -1,462 +1,514 @@
-package lu.hrs.mirth;
-
-import java.io.File;
-import java.nio.file.Paths;
-import java.util.Collections;
-import java.util.Enumeration;
-import java.util.HashMap;
-import java.util.regex.Matcher;
-import java.util.regex.Pattern;
-
-import org.apache.log4j.Appender;
-import org.apache.log4j.ConsoleAppender;
-import org.apache.log4j.Layout;
-import org.apache.log4j.Level;
-import org.apache.log4j.Logger;
-import org.apache.log4j.PatternLayout;
-import org.apache.log4j.Priority;
-import org.apache.log4j.RollingFileAppender;
-import org.apache.log4j.spi.LoggingEvent;
-
-import com.mirth.connect.server.userutil.ChannelUtil;
-
-
-/**
- * This custom appender hijacks the Mirth logging mechanism and reroutes channel-specific logging to a log file named like the channel causing the log
- * event. None channel-specific log messages are still routed to the main log file. Further, the channel name is added to all channel specific log 
- * entries for the main log and all logs to the console or dashboard.
- * 
- * This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public License, v. 2.0.
- * If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this file, 
- * You can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
- * 
- * @author ortwin.donak
- * 
- */
-public class MetaAppender extends RollingFileAppender {
-
-	private static final Pattern patternUuid = Pattern.compile("([a-f0-9]{8}(-[a-f0-9]{4}){4}[a-f0-9]{8})");
-	private static final String mainLogAppenderName = "mirth";
-	private static final String errorAppenderName = "mirthErrors";
-	private static final String consoleAppenderName = "console";
-	private static final String mirthArrayAppenderName = "mirthDashboard";
-	private static MetaAppender metaAppender = null;
-	private final HashMap<String, Appender> appenders = new HashMap<String, Appender>();
-	private Long configMaxFileSize = null;
-	private Integer configMaxBackupIndex = null;
-	private Layout configLayout = null;
-	private String configLogLocation = null;
-	private Priority configThreshold = null;
-	private boolean logAllToMainLog = false;
-	private String focusedChannelName = null;
-	private String filteredChannelName = null;
-	
-	/**
-	 * Limits the console and Mirth dashboard log to the output of one specific channel. The output of the log files is not influenced.<br/>
-	 * <br/>
-	 * <i>A channel can be focused even before it has been deployed. However focusing will only become active when channel is actually deployed.</i>
-	 * 
-	 * @param Identifier
-	 *            The id or name of the channel that should be focused.
-	 * @return The name of the channel that has been focused
-	 */
-	public static String setFocus(String identifier) {
-		// check parameter
-		if((identifier == null) || identifier.isEmpty()){
-			return null; 
-		}
-		
-		// normalize
-		identifier = identifier.trim();
-		// get the current instance of the appender or create it if not yet existing
-		MetaAppender appender = getInstance(null, null, null, null, null);
-		// resolve the channel id to the channel name, if the provided identifier is a channel name
-		String channelName = ChannelUtil.getChannelName(identifier);
-		// determine the name of the channel that should be focused and set it as focused channel.
-		appender.focusedChannelName = (channelName != null) ? channelName : identifier;
-		
-		// assure that a channel is not focused and filtered at the same time
-		if(appender.focusedChannelName.equals(appender.filteredChannelName)){
-			appender.filteredChannelName = null;
-		}
-	
-		// indicate the name of the focused channel to the user
-		return appender.focusedChannelName;
-	}
-	
-	/**
-	 * Removes the focus onto the output of a specific channel and shows output of all channels on the mirth dashboard and console log.
-	 * 
-	 * @return The name of the channel for which the focus has been removed
-	 */
-	public static String removeFocus() {
-		// get the current instance of the appender or create it if not yet existing
-		MetaAppender appender = getInstance(null, null, null, null, null);
-		// read the name of the currently focused channel
-		String focusedChannel = appender.focusedChannelName;
-		// remove focus
-		appender.focusedChannelName = null;
-
-		// and indicate the name of the channel from which the focus has been removed to the user
-		return focusedChannel;
-	}
-
-	/**
-	 * Suppresses the logging of a specific channel at the console and Mirth dashboard. The output of the log files is not influenced.<br/>
-	 * <br/>
-	 * <i>A channel can be filtered even before it has been deployed. However filtering will only become active when channel is actually deployed.</i>
-	 * 
-	 * @param Identifier
-	 *            The id or name of the channel that should be filtered.
-	 * @return The name of the channel that has been filtered
-	 */
-	public static String setFilter(String identifier) {
-		// check parameter
-		if((identifier == null) || identifier.isEmpty()){
-			return null; 
-		}
-		
-		// normalize
-		identifier = identifier.trim();
-		// get the current instance of the appender or create it if not yet existing
-		MetaAppender appender = getInstance(null, null, null, null, null);
-		// resolve the channel id to the channel name, if the provided identifier is a channel name
-		String channelName = ChannelUtil.getChannelName(identifier);
-		// determine the name of the channel that should be filtered and set it as filtered channel.
-		appender.filteredChannelName = (channelName != null) ? channelName : identifier;
-		
-		// assure that a channel is not focused and filtered at the same time
-		if(appender.filteredChannelName.equals(appender.focusedChannelName)){
-			appender.focusedChannelName = null;
-		}
-		
-		// indicate the name of the filtered channel to the user
-		return appender.filteredChannelName;
-	}
-	
-	/**
-	 * Removes the filter onto the output of a specific channel and shows output of all channels on the mirth dashboard and console log.
-	 * 
-	 * @return The name of the channel for which the filter has been removed
-	 */
-	public static String removeFilter() {
-		// get the current instance of the appender or create it if not yet existing
-		MetaAppender appender = getInstance(null, null, null, null, null);
-		// read the name of the currently filtered channel
-		String filteredChannel = appender.filteredChannelName;
-		// remove filter
-		appender.filteredChannelName = null;
-
-		// and indicate the name of the channel from which the filter has been removed to the user
-		return filteredChannel;
-	}
-	
-	/**
-	 * Activates the customization of the mirth logging mechanism (Just has to be called once)
-	 * 
-	 * @return A reference to the Meta file appender. Usually this is not needed as everything is handled automatically.
-	 */
-	public static MetaAppender activate() {
-		return getInstance(null, null, null, null, null);
-	}
-
-	/**
-	 * Activates the customization of the mirth logging mechanism (Just has to be called once)
-	 * 
-	 * @param customLogPath
-	 *            Defines a custom location for the log files (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @return A reference to the Meta file appender. Usually this is not needed as everything is handled automatically.
-	 */
-	public static MetaAppender activate(String customLogPath) {
-		return getInstance(customLogPath, null, null, null, null);
-	}
-
-	/**
-	 * Activates the customization of the mirth logging mechanism (Just has to be called once)
-	 * 
-	 * @param customLogPath
-	 *            Defines a custom location for the log files (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @param customMaxFileSize
-	 *            Defines a custom maximal size per log file (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @return A reference to the Meta file appender. Usually this is not needed as everything is handled automatically.
-	 */
-	public static MetaAppender activate(String customLogPath, String customMaxFileSize) {
-		return getInstance(customLogPath, customMaxFileSize, null, null, null);
-	}
-
-	/**
-	 * Activates the customization of the mirth logging mechanism (Just has to be called once)
-	 * 
-	 * @param customLogPath
-	 *            Defines a custom location for the log files (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @param customMaxFileSize
-	 *            Defines a custom maximal size per log file (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @param customMaxBackupIndex
-	 *            Defines a maximum number of log files that will be created per channel till the oldest is overwritten (round-robin) (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @return A reference to the Meta file appender. Usually this is not needed as everything is handled automatically.
-	 */
-	public static MetaAppender activate(String customLogPath, String customMaxFileSize, Integer customMaxBackupIndex) {
-		return getInstance(customLogPath, customMaxFileSize, customMaxBackupIndex, null, null);
-	}
-
-	/**
-	 * Activates the customization of the mirth logging mechanism (Just has to be called once)
-	 * 
-	 * @param customLogPath
-	 *            Defines a custom location for the log files (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @param customMaxFileSize
-	 *            Defines a custom maximal size per log file (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @param customMaxBackupIndex
-	 *            Defines a maximum number of log files that will be created per channel till the oldest is overwritten (round-robin) (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @param customLogPattern
-	 *            Defines a custom structure for the log file entries (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @return A reference to the Meta file appender. Usually this is not needed as everything is handled automatically.
-	 */
-	public static MetaAppender activate(String customLogPath, String customMaxFileSize, Integer customMaxBackupIndex, String customLogPattern) {
-		return getInstance(customLogPath, customMaxFileSize, customMaxBackupIndex, customLogPattern, null);
-	}
-
-	/**
-	 * Activates the customization of the mirth logging mechanism (Just has to be called once)
-	 * 
-	 * @param customLogPath
-	 *            Defines a custom location for the log files (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @param customMaxFileSize
-	 *            Defines a custom maximal size per log file (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @param customMaxBackupIndex
-	 *            Defines a maximum number of log files that will be created per channel till the oldest is overwritten (round-robin) (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @param customLogPattern
-	 *            Defines a custom structure for the log file entries (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @param logAllToMainLog
-	 *            If this flag is set, all log entries (also channel-specific ones) will also be logged to the main log. (off by default) (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @return A reference to the Meta file appender. Usually this is not needed as everything is handled automatically.
-	 */
-	private static MetaAppender getInstance(String customLogPath, String customMaxFileSize, Integer customMaxBackupIndex, String customLogPattern,
-			Boolean logAllToMainLog) {
-		return (MetaAppender.metaAppender != null) ? MetaAppender.metaAppender
-				: new MetaAppender(customLogPath, customMaxFileSize, customMaxBackupIndex, customLogPattern, logAllToMainLog);
-	}
-
-	private MetaAppender() {
-		// omit having called the constructor directly
-	}
-
-	/**
-	 * Creates a custom rolling file appender that logs channel-specific messages to a log file named like the channel. Channel-independent logging
-	 * will be logged to standard mirth log. Logging attributes are taken from the log4j.properties configuration by default but can be overwritten
-	 * when calling the constructor.
-	 * 
-	 * @param customLogPath
-	 *            Defines a custom location for the log files (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @param customMaxFileSize
-	 *            Defines a custom maximal size per log file (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @param customMaxBackupIndex
-	 *            Defines a maximum number of log files that will be created per channel till the oldest is overwritten (round-robin) (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @param customLogPattern
-	 *            Defines a custom structure for the log file entries (OPTIONAL)
-	 * @param logAllToMainLog
-	 *            If this flag is set, all log entries (also channel-specific ones) will also be logged to the main log. (off by default) (OPTIONAL)
-	 */
-	@SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
-	private MetaAppender(String customLogPath, String customMaxFileSize, Integer customMaxBackupIndex, String customLogPattern,
-			Boolean logAllToMainLog) {
-
-		// get root logger
-		Logger root = Logger.getRootLogger();
-		// loop through all appenders attached to the root logger
-		for (Appender appender : Collections.list((Enumeration<Appender>) root.getAllAppenders())) {
-			// look for the file appender
-			if (appender instanceof RollingFileAppender) {
-				// file appender has been found
-				RollingFileAppender mainLogAppender = (RollingFileAppender) appender;
-				// if no custom properties have been provided, use the configuration of log4j.properties as default
-				if (customMaxFileSize != null) {
-					// transform the custom max file size to a number
-					this.setMaxFileSize(customMaxFileSize);
-					// and fetch it
-					this.configMaxFileSize = this.getMaximumFileSize();
-				} else {
-					// no custom max file size has been provided - use the one from properties as default
-					this.configMaxFileSize = mainLogAppender.getMaximumFileSize();
-				}
-				this.configMaxBackupIndex = (customMaxBackupIndex != null) ? customMaxBackupIndex : mainLogAppender.getMaxBackupIndex();
-				this.configLayout = (customLogPattern != null) ? new PatternLayout(customLogPattern) : mainLogAppender.getLayout();
-				this.configThreshold = mainLogAppender.getThreshold();
-				this.configLogLocation = Paths.get(mainLogAppender.getFile()).getParent().toString();
-				this.logAllToMainLog = (logAllToMainLog != null) && logAllToMainLog;
-				// remove the current file appender from the root logger
-				root.removeAppender(mainLogAppender);
-				// change its name
-				mainLogAppender.setName(mainLogAppenderName);
-				// and add it instead to the appender list
-				addAppender(mainLogAppender);
-				// remember the reference to this object for subsequent calls
-				MetaAppender.metaAppender = this;
-			} else if (appender instanceof ConsoleAppender) {
-				// console appender has been found
-				ConsoleAppender console = (ConsoleAppender) appender;
-				// remove it from the root logger
-				root.removeAppender(console);
-				// change its name
-				console.setName(consoleAppenderName);
-				// and add it instead to the appender list
-				addAppender(console);
-			} else {
-				// mirth uses a custom appender plugin (ArrayAppender) for displaying messages at its dashboard.
-				// Unfortunately w/o a name - adjust that
-				appender.setName(mirthArrayAppenderName);
-				// and add it to the appender list
-				addAppender(appender);
-				// and withdraw the root logger the control about this appender
-				root.removeAppender(appender);
-			}
-		}
-
-		// finally attach the meta appender to the root logger
-		root.addAppender(this);
-	}
-
-	/**
-	 * Adds an appender to the cache
-	 * 
-	 * @param appender
-	 *            The appender that should be added to the cache
-	 */
-	private void addAppender(Appender appender) {
-		synchronized (appenders) {
-			appenders.put(appender.getName(), appender);
-		}
-	}
-
-	/**
-	 * Provides the appender for the log file corresponding to the channel name
-	 * 
-	 * @param channelName
-	 *            The name of the channel for which the appender should be provided. If the name is not found in the cache, a new appender is created.
-	 *            If the name is null, the appender for the general mirth log is provided.
-	 * @return The appender corresponding the provided channel name
-	 */
-	public Appender getAppender(String channelName) {
-
-		synchronized (appenders) {
-			// no channel name
-			if (channelName == null) {
-				// means main appender
-				channelName = mainLogAppenderName;
-
-				// if there is not yet an appender for the channel
-			} else if (!appenders.containsKey(channelName)) {
-				// create a new appender instance
-				RollingFileAppender appender = new RollingFileAppender();
-				// define the maximum size of one log file
-				appender.setMaximumFileSize(this.configMaxFileSize);
-				// define the maximum number of log files
-				appender.setMaxBackupIndex(this.configMaxBackupIndex);
-				// set the format of the log string
-				appender.setLayout(this.configLayout);
-				// define the log file path
-				appender.setFile(String.format("%s%s%s.log", configLogLocation, File.separator, channelName));
-				// set the appender name
-				appender.setName(channelName);
-				// set logging threshold of main logger
-				appender.setThreshold(this.configThreshold);
-				// contribute to pre-existing log
-				appender.setAppend(true);
-				// now apply everything
-				appender.activateOptions();
-				// and place the appender in the cache
-				addAppender(appender);
-			}
-		}
-
-		return appenders.get(channelName);
-	}
-
-	/**
-	 * Close all appenders
-	 */
-	public void close() {
-		synchronized (appenders) {
-			for (Appender appender : appenders.values()) {
-				appender.close();
-			}
-		}
-	}
-
-	@Override
-	public void append(LoggingEvent event) {
-		Appender appender = null;
-		// try to identify the channel from which the appender was called
-		Matcher uuidMatcher = patternUuid.matcher(event.getThreadName());
-		// try to determine the channel name
-		String channelName = uuidMatcher.find() ? ChannelUtil.getChannelName(uuidMatcher.group()) : null;
-
-		// call the right appender dependent on the channel (or the main appender if log entry was not caused by a channel)
-		appender = getAppender(channelName);
-		// and write the entry to the log file
-		appender.doAppend(event);
-
-		// in case of channel logging
-		if (channelName != null) {
-			// adapt the logging event in order to include channel name in component description
-			event = new LoggingEvent(event.getFQNOfLoggerClass(), Logger.getLogger(channelName + "-" + event.getLoggerName()), event.getTimeStamp(),
-					event.getLevel(), event.getMessage(), event.getThreadName(), event.getThrowableInformation(), event.getNDC(),
-					event.getLocationInformation(), event.getProperties());
-		}
-
-		// if user configured to log all messages also to the main log file and the current logging is done to a channel-specific file
-		if (logAllToMainLog && !MetaAppender.mainLogAppenderName.equals(appender.getName())) {
-			// log event also to the main log file
-			getAppender(mainLogAppenderName).doAppend(event);
-		}
-		
-		// all events that are logged as error
-		if (event.getLevel() == Level.ERROR) {
-			// are also accumulated in a specific log
-			getAppender(errorAppenderName).doAppend(event);
-		}
-		
-		if ((this.focusedChannelName != null) || (this.filteredChannelName != null)) {
-			String loggerPrefix = null;
-			
-			// if a channel is focused and actually deployed (or was at least deployed once)
-			if ((this.focusedChannelName != null) && appenders.containsKey(channelName)) {
-				// but the current event was caused by a different channel
-				if (!this.focusedChannelName.equals(channelName)) {
-					// omit logging to dashboard and console for this event
-					return;
-				}
-				// set the logger prefix to focused
-				loggerPrefix = "FOCUSED: ";
-			}
-			
-			// if a channel is filtered and actually deployed (or was at least deployed once)
-			if ((this.filteredChannelName != null) && appenders.containsKey(channelName)) {
-				// and the current event was caused by the filtered channel
-				if (this.filteredChannelName.equals(channelName)) {
-					// omit logging to dashboard and console for this event
-					return;
-				}
-				// set the logger prefix to filtered
-				loggerPrefix = "FILTERED: ";
-			}
-			
-			// if the both, focusing and filtering, are activated, indicate it to the user
-			if ((this.focusedChannelName != null) && (this.filteredChannelName != null)){
-				// set the logger prefix to focused and filtered
-				loggerPrefix = "FOCUSED & FILTERED: ";				
-			}
-			
-			// adapt the logging event in order to include channel name in component description
-			event = new LoggingEvent(event.getFQNOfLoggerClass(), Logger.getLogger(loggerPrefix + event.getLoggerName()), event.getTimeStamp(),
-					event.getLevel(), event.getMessage(), event.getThreadName(), event.getThrowableInformation(), event.getNDC(),
-					event.getLocationInformation(), event.getProperties());
-		}
-		
-		// and write the event to the console
-		getAppender(consoleAppenderName).doAppend(event);
-		// and also to the dashboard
-		getAppender(mirthArrayAppenderName).doAppend(event);
-	}
-
-}
+package lu.hrs.mirth;
+
+import java.io.File;
+import java.io.PrintWriter;
+import java.io.StringWriter;
+import java.nio.file.Paths;
+import java.text.SimpleDateFormat;
+import java.util.Collections;
+import java.util.Enumeration;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.regex.Matcher;
+import java.util.regex.Pattern;
+
+import org.apache.commons.lang.exception.ExceptionUtils;
+import org.apache.log4j.Appender;
+import org.apache.log4j.ConsoleAppender;
+import org.apache.log4j.Layout;
+import org.apache.log4j.Level;
+import org.apache.log4j.Logger;
+import org.apache.log4j.PatternLayout;
+import org.apache.log4j.Priority;
+import org.apache.log4j.RollingFileAppender;
+import org.apache.log4j.spi.LoggingEvent;
+
+import com.mirth.connect.server.userutil.ChannelUtil;
+
+
+/**
+ * This custom appender hijacks the Mirth logging mechanism and reroutes channel-specific logging to a log file named like the channel causing the log
+ * event. None channel-specific log messages are still routed to the main log file. Further, the channel name is added to all channel specific log 
+ * entries for the main log and all logs to the console or dashboard.
+ * 
+ * This Source Code Form is subject to the terms of the Mozilla Public License, v. 2.0.
+ * If a copy of the MPL was not distributed with this file, 
+ * You can obtain one at https://mozilla.org/MPL/2.0/.
+ * 
+ * @author ortwin.donak
+ * 
+ */
+public class MetaAppender extends RollingFileAppender {
+
+	private static final Pattern patternUuid = Pattern.compile("([a-f0-9]{8}(-[a-f0-9]{4}){4}[a-f0-9]{8})");
+	private static final String mainLogAppenderName = "mirth";
+	private static final String errorAppenderName = "mirthErrors";
+	private static final String consoleAppenderName = "console";
+	private static final String mirthArrayAppenderName = "mirthDashboard";
+	private static MetaAppender metaAppender = null;
+	private final HashMap<String, Appender> appenders = new HashMap<String, Appender>();
+	private Long configMaxFileSize = null;
+	private Integer configMaxBackupIndex = null;
+	private Layout configLayout = null;
+	private String configLogLocation = null;
+	private Priority configThreshold = null;
+	private boolean logAllToMainLog = false;
+	private String focusedChannelName = null;
+	private String filteredChannelName = null;
+	
+	/**
+	 * Limits the console and Mirth dashboard log to the output of one specific channel. The output of the log files is not influenced.<br/>
+	 * <br/>
+	 * <i>A channel can be focused even before it has been deployed. However focusing will only become active when channel is actually deployed.</i>
+	 * 
+	 * @param Identifier
+	 *            The id or name of the channel that should be focused.
+	 * @return The name of the channel that has been focused
+	 */
+	public static String setFocus(String identifier) {
+		// check parameter
+		if((identifier == null) || identifier.isEmpty()){
+			return null; 
+		}
+		
+		// normalize
+		identifier = identifier.trim();
+		// get the current instance of the appender or create it if not yet existing
+		MetaAppender appender = getInstance(null, null, null, null, null);
+		// resolve the channel id to the channel name, if the provided identifier is a channel name
+		String channelName = ChannelUtil.getChannelName(identifier);
+		// determine the name of the channel that should be focused and set it as focused channel.
+		appender.focusedChannelName = (channelName != null) ? channelName : identifier;
+		
+		// assure that a channel is not focused and filtered at the same time
+		if(appender.focusedChannelName.equals(appender.filteredChannelName)){
+			appender.filteredChannelName = null;
+		}
+	
+		// indicate the name of the focused channel to the user
+		return appender.focusedChannelName;
+	}
+	
+	/**
+	 * Removes the focus onto the output of a specific channel and shows output of all channels on the mirth dashboard and console log.
+	 * 
+	 * @return The name of the channel for which the focus has been removed
+	 */
+	public static String removeFocus() {
+		// get the current instance of the appender or create it if not yet existing
+		MetaAppender appender = getInstance(null, null, null, null, null);
+		// read the name of the currently focused channel
+		String focusedChannel = appender.focusedChannelName;
+		// remove focus
+		appender.focusedChannelName = null;
+
+		// and indicate the name of the channel from which the focus has been removed to the user
+		return focusedChannel;
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Suppresses the logging of a specific channel at the console and Mirth dashboard. The output of the log files is not influenced.<br/>
+	 * <br/>
+	 * <i>A channel can be filtered even before it has been deployed. However filtering will only become active when channel is actually deployed.</i>
+	 * 
+	 * @param Identifier
+	 *            The id or name of the channel that should be filtered.
+	 * @return The name of the channel that has been filtered
+	 */
+	public static String setFilter(String identifier) {
+		// check parameter
+		if((identifier == null) || identifier.isEmpty()){
+			return null; 
+		}
+		
+		// normalize
+		identifier = identifier.trim();
+		// get the current instance of the appender or create it if not yet existing
+		MetaAppender appender = getInstance(null, null, null, null, null);
+		// resolve the channel id to the channel name, if the provided identifier is a channel name
+		String channelName = ChannelUtil.getChannelName(identifier);
+		// determine the name of the channel that should be filtered and set it as filtered channel.
+		appender.filteredChannelName = (channelName != null) ? channelName : identifier;
+		
+		// assure that a channel is not focused and filtered at the same time
+		if(appender.filteredChannelName.equals(appender.focusedChannelName)){
+			appender.focusedChannelName = null;
+		}
+		
+		// indicate the name of the filtered channel to the user
+		return appender.filteredChannelName;
+	}
+	
+	/**
+	 * Removes the filter onto the output of a specific channel and shows output of all channels on the mirth dashboard and console log.
+	 * 
+	 * @return The name of the channel for which the filter has been removed
+	 */
+	public static String removeFilter() {
+		// get the current instance of the appender or create it if not yet existing
+		MetaAppender appender = getInstance(null, null, null, null, null);
+		// read the name of the currently filtered channel
+		String filteredChannel = appender.filteredChannelName;
+		// remove filter
+		appender.filteredChannelName = null;
+
+		// and indicate the name of the channel from which the filter has been removed to the user
+		return filteredChannel;
+	}
+	
+	/**
+	 * Activates the customization of the mirth logging mechanism (Just has to be called once)
+	 * 
+	 * @return A reference to the Meta file appender. Usually this is not needed as everything is handled automatically.
+	 */
+	public static MetaAppender activate() {
+		return getInstance(null, null, null, null, null);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Activates the customization of the mirth logging mechanism (Just has to be called once)
+	 * 
+	 * @param customLogPath
+	 *            Defines a custom location for the log files (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @return A reference to the Meta file appender. Usually this is not needed as everything is handled automatically.
+	 */
+	public static MetaAppender activate(String customLogPath) {
+		return getInstance(customLogPath, null, null, null, null);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Activates the customization of the mirth logging mechanism (Just has to be called once)
+	 * 
+	 * @param customLogPath
+	 *            Defines a custom location for the log files (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param customMaxFileSize
+	 *            Defines a custom maximal size per log file (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @return A reference to the Meta file appender. Usually this is not needed as everything is handled automatically.
+	 */
+	public static MetaAppender activate(String customLogPath, String customMaxFileSize) {
+		return getInstance(customLogPath, customMaxFileSize, null, null, null);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Activates the customization of the mirth logging mechanism (Just has to be called once)
+	 * 
+	 * @param customLogPath
+	 *            Defines a custom location for the log files (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param customMaxFileSize
+	 *            Defines a custom maximal size per log file (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param customMaxBackupIndex
+	 *            Defines a maximum number of log files that will be created per channel till the oldest is overwritten (round-robin) (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @return A reference to the Meta file appender. Usually this is not needed as everything is handled automatically.
+	 */
+	public static MetaAppender activate(String customLogPath, String customMaxFileSize, Integer customMaxBackupIndex) {
+		return getInstance(customLogPath, customMaxFileSize, customMaxBackupIndex, null, null);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Activates the customization of the mirth logging mechanism (Just has to be called once)
+	 * 
+	 * @param customLogPath
+	 *            Defines a custom location for the log files (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param customMaxFileSize
+	 *            Defines a custom maximal size per log file (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param customMaxBackupIndex
+	 *            Defines a maximum number of log files that will be created per channel till the oldest is overwritten (round-robin) (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param customLogPattern
+	 *            Defines a custom structure for the log file entries (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @return A reference to the Meta file appender. Usually this is not needed as everything is handled automatically.
+	 */
+	public static MetaAppender activate(String customLogPath, String customMaxFileSize, Integer customMaxBackupIndex, String customLogPattern) {
+		return getInstance(customLogPath, customMaxFileSize, customMaxBackupIndex, customLogPattern, null);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Activates the customization of the mirth logging mechanism (Just has to be called once)
+	 * 
+	 * @param customLogPath
+	 *            Defines a custom location for the log files (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param customMaxFileSize
+	 *            Defines a custom maximal size per log file (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param customMaxBackupIndex
+	 *            Defines a maximum number of log files that will be created per channel till the oldest is overwritten (round-robin) (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param customLogPattern
+	 *            Defines a custom structure for the log file entries (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param logAllToMainLog
+	 *            If this flag is set, all log entries (also channel-specific ones) will also be logged to the main log. (off by default) (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @return A reference to the Meta file appender. Usually this is not needed as everything is handled automatically.
+	 */
+	public static MetaAppender activate(String customLogPath, String customMaxFileSize, Integer customMaxBackupIndex, String customLogPattern, Boolean logAllToMainLog) {
+		return getInstance(customLogPath, customMaxFileSize, customMaxBackupIndex, customLogPattern, logAllToMainLog);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Activates the customization of the mirth logging mechanism (Just has to be called once)
+	 * 
+	 * @param customLogPath
+	 *            Defines a custom location for the log files (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param customMaxFileSize
+	 *            Defines a custom maximal size per log file (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param customMaxBackupIndex
+	 *            Defines a maximum number of log files that will be created per channel till the oldest is overwritten (round-robin) (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param customLogPattern
+	 *            Defines a custom structure for the log file entries (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param logAllToMainLog
+	 *            If this flag is set, all log entries (also channel-specific ones) will also be logged to the main log. (off by default) (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @return A reference to the Meta file appender. Usually this is not needed as everything is handled automatically.
+	 */
+	private static MetaAppender getInstance(String customLogPath, String customMaxFileSize, Integer customMaxBackupIndex, String customLogPattern,
+			Boolean logAllToMainLog) {
+
+			return (MetaAppender.metaAppender != null) ? MetaAppender.metaAppender
+					: new MetaAppender(customLogPath, customMaxFileSize, customMaxBackupIndex, customLogPattern, logAllToMainLog);
+	}
+
+	private MetaAppender() {
+		// omit having called the constructor directly
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Creates a custom rolling file appender that logs channel-specific messages to a log file named like the channel. Channel-independent logging
+	 * will be logged to standard mirth log. Logging attributes are taken from the log4j.properties configuration by default but can be overwritten
+	 * when calling the constructor.
+	 * 
+	 * @param customLogPath
+	 *            Defines a custom location for the log files (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param customMaxFileSize
+	 *            Defines a custom maximal size per log file (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param customMaxBackupIndex
+	 *            Defines a maximum number of log files that will be created per channel till the oldest is overwritten (round-robin) (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param customLogPattern
+	 *            Defines a custom structure for the log file entries (OPTIONAL)
+	 * @param logAllToMainLog
+	 *            If this flag is set, all log entries (also channel-specific ones) will also be logged to the main log. (off by default) (OPTIONAL)
+	 */
+	@SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
+	private MetaAppender(String customLogPath, String customMaxFileSize, Integer customMaxBackupIndex, String customLogPattern,
+			Boolean logAllToMainLog) {
+		Logger root = null;
+		com.mirth.connect.plugins.serverlog.ServerLogItem.DATE_FORMAT = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss,SSS");
+		// get root logger
+		 root = Logger.getRootLogger();
+
+		// loop through all appenders attached to the root logger
+		for (Appender appender : Collections.list((Enumeration<Appender>) root.getAllAppenders())) {
+			// look for the file appender
+			if (appender instanceof MetaAppender) {
+				MetaAppender.metaAppender = (MetaAppender) appender;
+				return;
+			}else if (appender instanceof RollingFileAppender) {
+				// file appender has been found
+				RollingFileAppender mainLogAppender = (RollingFileAppender) appender;
+				// if no custom properties have been provided, use the configuration of log4j.properties as default
+				if (customMaxFileSize != null) {
+					// transform the custom max file size to a number
+					this.setMaxFileSize(customMaxFileSize);
+					// and fetch it
+					this.configMaxFileSize = this.getMaximumFileSize();
+				} else {
+					// no custom max file size has been provided - use the one from properties as default
+					this.configMaxFileSize = mainLogAppender.getMaximumFileSize();
+				}
+				// default value is the same size like mirth.log
+				this.configMaxBackupIndex = (customMaxBackupIndex != null) ? customMaxBackupIndex : mainLogAppender.getMaxBackupIndex();
+				// default layout is the same like mirth.log
+				this.configLayout = (customLogPattern != null) ? new PatternLayout(customLogPattern) : mainLogAppender.getLayout();
+				// log level will be the same like mirth.log
+				this.configThreshold = mainLogAppender.getThreshold();
+				try{
+				// files will be placed at the same location like mirth.log
+				this.configLogLocation = Paths.get(mainLogAppender.getFile()).getParent().toString();
+				} catch (Exception e) {
+					StringWriter sw = new StringWriter();
+					ExceptionUtils.printRootCauseStackTrace(e,new PrintWriter(sw));
+					String exceptionAsString = sw.toString();
+					 root = Logger.getRootLogger();
+					root.setLevel(Level.INFO);
+					root.error("CLASS = "+appender.getClass().getCanonicalName()+"   Meta?: "+ (appender instanceof lu.hrs.mirth.MetaAppender));
+					root.error("INSTANTIATION EXCEPTION5 ("+MetaAppender.metaAppender+"): "+exceptionAsString);
+					
+
+				}
+				// default value is "false"
+				this.logAllToMainLog = (logAllToMainLog != null) && logAllToMainLog;
+				// remove the current file appender from the root logger
+				root.removeAppender(mainLogAppender);
+				// change its name
+				mainLogAppender.setName(mainLogAppenderName);
+				// and add it instead to the appender list
+				addAppender(mainLogAppender);
+			} else if (appender instanceof ConsoleAppender) {
+				// console appender has been found
+				ConsoleAppender console = (ConsoleAppender) appender;
+				// remove it from the root logger
+				root.removeAppender(console);
+				// change its name
+				console.setName(consoleAppenderName);
+				// and add it instead to the appender list
+				addAppender(console);
+			} else {
+				// mirth uses a custom appender plugin (ArrayAppender) for displaying messages at its dashboard.
+				// Unfortunately w/o a name - adjust that
+				appender.setName(mirthArrayAppenderName);
+				// and add it to the appender list
+				addAppender(appender);
+				// and withdraw the root logger the control about this appender
+				root.removeAppender(appender);
+			}
+		}
+
+		// finally attach the meta appender to the root logger
+		root.addAppender(this);
+		
+		// remember the reference to this object for subsequent calls
+		MetaAppender.metaAppender = this;
+		 root = Logger.getRootLogger();
+			root.setLevel(Level.INFO);
+		root.error("META APPENDER = "+MetaAppender.metaAppender);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Adds an appender to the cache
+	 * 
+	 * @param appender
+	 *            The appender that should be added to the cache
+	 */
+	private void addAppender(Appender appender) {
+		synchronized (appenders) {
+			appenders.put(appender.getName(), appender);
+		}
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Provides the appender for the log file corresponding to the channel name
+	 * 
+	 * @param channelName
+	 *            The name of the channel for which the appender should be provided. If the name is not found in the cache, a new appender is created.
+	 *            If the name is null, the appender for the general mirth log is provided.
+	 * @return The appender corresponding the provided channel name
+	 */
+	public Appender getAppender(String channelName) {
+
+		synchronized (appenders) {
+			// no channel name
+			if (channelName == null) {
+				// means main appender
+				channelName = mainLogAppenderName;
+
+				// if there is not yet an appender for the channel
+			} else if (!appenders.containsKey(channelName)) {
+				// create a new appender instance
+				RollingFileAppender appender = new RollingFileAppender();
+				// define the maximum size of one log file
+				appender.setMaximumFileSize(this.configMaxFileSize);
+				// define the maximum number of log files
+				appender.setMaxBackupIndex(this.configMaxBackupIndex);
+				// set the format of the log string
+				appender.setLayout(this.configLayout);
+				// define the log file path
+				appender.setFile(String.format("%s%s%s.log", configLogLocation, File.separator, channelName));
+				// set the appender name
+				appender.setName(channelName);
+				// set logging threshold of main logger
+				appender.setThreshold(this.configThreshold);
+				// contribute to pre-existing log
+				appender.setAppend(true);
+				// now apply everything
+				appender.activateOptions();
+				// and place the appender in the cache
+				addAppender(appender);
+			}
+		}
+
+		return appenders.get(channelName);
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Close all appenders
+	 */
+	public void close() {
+		synchronized (appenders) {
+			for (Appender appender : appenders.values()) {
+				appender.close();
+			}
+		}
+		
+		MetaAppender.metaAppender = null;
+	}
+
+	@Override
+	public void append(LoggingEvent event) {
+		Appender appender = null;
+		// try to identify the channel from which the appender was called
+		Matcher uuidMatcher = patternUuid.matcher(event.getThreadName());
+		// try to determine the channel name
+		String channelName = uuidMatcher.find() ? ChannelUtil.getChannelName(uuidMatcher.group()) : null;
+
+		// call the right appender dependent on the channel (or the main appender if log entry was not caused by a channel)
+		appender = getAppender(channelName);
+		// and write the entry to the log file
+	//	appender.doAppend(event);
+
+		// in case of channel logging
+		if (channelName != null) {
+			// adapt the logging event in order to include channel name in component description
+			event = new LoggingEvent(event.getFQNOfLoggerClass(), Logger.getLogger(channelName + "-" + event.getLoggerName()), event.getTimeStamp(),
+					event.getLevel(), event.getMessage(), event.getThreadName(), event.getThrowableInformation(), event.getNDC(),
+					event.getLocationInformation(), event.getProperties());
+		}
+
+		// if user configured to log all messages also to the main log file and the current logging is done to a channel-specific file
+		if (logAllToMainLog && !MetaAppender.mainLogAppenderName.equals(appender.getName())) {
+			// log event also to the main log file
+			getAppender(mainLogAppenderName).doAppend(event);
+		}
+		
+		// all events that are logged as error
+		if (event.getLevel() == Level.ERROR) {
+			// are also accumulated in a specific log
+			getAppender(errorAppenderName).doAppend(event);
+		}
+		
+		if ((this.focusedChannelName != null) || (this.filteredChannelName != null)) {
+			String loggerPrefix = null;
+			
+			// if a channel is focused and actually deployed (or was at least deployed once)
+			if ((this.focusedChannelName != null) && appenders.containsKey(channelName)) {
+				// but the current event was caused by a different channel
+				if (!this.focusedChannelName.equals(channelName)) {
+					// omit logging to dashboard and console for this event
+					return;
+				}
+				// set the logger prefix to focused
+				loggerPrefix = "FOCUSED: ";
+			}
+			
+			// if a channel is filtered and actually deployed (or was at least deployed once)
+			if ((this.filteredChannelName != null) && appenders.containsKey(channelName)) {
+				// and the current event was caused by the filtered channel
+				if (this.filteredChannelName.equals(channelName)) {
+					// omit logging to dashboard and console for this event
+					return;
+				}
+				// set the logger prefix to filtered
+				loggerPrefix = "FILTERED: ";
+			}
+			
+			// if the both, focusing and filtering, are activated, indicate it to the user
+			if ((this.focusedChannelName != null) && (this.filteredChannelName != null)){
+				// set the logger prefix to focused and filtered
+				loggerPrefix = "FOCUSED & FILTERED: ";				
+			}
+			
+			// adapt the logging event in order to include channel name in component description
+			event = new LoggingEvent(event.getFQNOfLoggerClass(), Logger.getLogger(loggerPrefix + event.getLoggerName()), event.getTimeStamp(),
+					event.getLevel(), event.getMessage(), event.getThreadName(), event.getThrowableInformation(), event.getNDC(),
+					event.getLocationInformation(), event.getProperties());
+		}
+		
+		// and write the event to the console
+		getAppender(consoleAppenderName).doAppend(event);
+		// and also to the dashboard
+		getAppender(mirthArrayAppenderName).doAppend(event);
+	}
+
+}
\ No newline at end of file