Lab128.ini file

Lab128 stores its settings in the lab128.ini. Most of settings can be changed using UI (User Interface), but some rare features are available through editing this file directly. When Lab128 is running, the settings file lab128.ini is maintained automatically, please avoid changing this file because your changes most likely will be lost.

Changing Default Timeout for Individual Query.

In this example we show how to change timeout for 'dba_extents' query. The name of the query can be obtained in the Query Editor, it is also reported in the monitor log file when the query times out.

1. Stop lab128;
2. Open lab128.ini with the text editor, find section [monitor_alias_for_instance], where alias is usually the name of service or instance, then add line anywhere in the section:

   TO_dba_extents=600

   this will set timeout for dba_extents query to 600 seconds (10 minutes).
3. Save changes and restart lab128.

How to use Monitor_Custom_File_Name parameter in lab128.ini file.

This parameter addresses a rare problem when default naming conventions for the Data Mirror files in the format <instance_name>_<host_name>.dt can collide between monitored instances that reside on two physically different boxes with the same hostname. The sequence of actions is:

1. When making connections to these instances, make sure that you assign different Aliases in Login window;
2. Once connected to both instances, do some action that will force Lab128 to save settings into Lab128.ini. For example, move Instance Main window in both monitors.
3. Close Lab128;
4. Open lab128.ini file in the text editor;
5. Find sections [monitor_alias_for_instance_1] and add a line in the section: Monitor_Custom_File_Name=your_file_name
   Enter desired file name with no file extension.
6. Find the section for another instance and add the Monitor_Custom_File_Name parameter line with different file name;
7. If you already had files .dt and .~dt that belonged to one of monitored instances and you want to continue using them, rename them to your_file_name.dt and your_file_name.~dt. You can also rename .log file, but it is optional;
8. Restart Lab128 and reconnect to the instances.

Now if you turn mirroring on (if you have not done it yet) in the Settings for any of these two instances, Lab128 will be using filenames assigned to Monitor_Custom_File_Name parameter

Default settings for new monitors by cloning existing monitor settings.

Sometimes, you have a monitor customized to your needs and want to make all new monitors having same initial settings. This can be done by copying (cloning) a section in lab128.ini containing the source monitor settings and then giving this new section name "default_monitor". Now all new monitors will be initialy configured the same way.

For example, you have a monitor with the alias TP3. There should be a section in lab128.ini file:

[TP3]
Top=...

[default_monitor]
Top=...