Connection Lost - MBT

[hotdog]

Since installing NT 7, I have numerous lost connections each day (maybe 4-6) with MBT. The time are totally random. I am doing nothing with the program at the time. Completely clean install. Did not port over from 6.5.

Connection is not wireless. Running NT7 B11, WIN 7 PRO, Live MBT data, SIM account.

Also note that someone else reported this same problem with MBT.

[NinjaTrader_Kyle]

Hello hotdog,

Thank you for your post.

We realize that lost connections can be frustrating. A connection state between NinjaTrader and your broker/market data vendor is not dictated by NinjaTrader. The NinjaTrader application only reports the connection state as it is reported by the API you are connected through. NinjaTrader behaves like a radio receiver in that it receives signals from the connected server. If the signals are not coming through, the underlying broker/market data vendor API reports this to the NinjaTrader application which in turn reports this back to you. Once a loss of connection is reported, NinjaTrader or the underlying API wil continuously try to re-establish a connection.


Common reasons that contribute to connection stability are:

• ISP issues
• Hardware firewall changing IP addresses frequently
• Dynamic IP addresses changing frequently intraday. Usually this happens once a week buy you may want to check with your ISP. If they do change daily, requesting a static IP address may help.
• With Windows XP SP2, if you have more than 10 open TCPIP socket connections (10 programs making socket connections through the internet) Windows will randomly shut down some connections
• Broker/market data servers may be experiencing temporary downtime

With that said, you will want to make sure that you are using MBT Navigator Version 11.5.0.5. If you are not, it is available here: http://www.ninjatrader.com/webnew/support_MB.htm



Beyond this, you will also want to test hard-wired in to your router/modem.

[hotdog]

Notice, I wrote "since I installed NT7". I didn't have this problem wit 6.5. It would seem like too much coincidence to imply that something else all of a sudden starts causing drops, especially since this is a beta version and bugs are highly likely.

Many people have reported numerous and continuing problems with the MBT adapter. Perhaps it is time to take a closer look at either the coding and/or the relationship if the conclusion is that MBT is not a reliable data provider.

[NinjaTrader_Kyle]

Hi hotdog,

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, I did notice that you mentioned that you were running NinjaTrader 7 and this did not occur in version 6.5.

As I mentioned, please make sure that you are running the version of the MB Trading navigator I mentioned in my previous post. (6.5 and 7 require different versions of this)

Also, please make sure that you are hard-wired and not connecting via wi-fi as we see a lower instance of dropped connections when using this type of setup.

[hotdog]

I am running the latest MBT NAV. Should you happen to read the original post again, I'm sure you will notice that it clearly states I am not using wireless - I am hardwired directly to the router.

[NinjaTrader_Kyle]

Hi hotdog,

Thank you for your reply.

Can you think of any conditions that are common to the times when the disconnects occur?

[hotdog]

So far, it seems totally random. I will watch it to see if there are any commonalities and report back.

Thanks

[bridenour]

I am having the same problem. It is definitely much worse than in 6.5. There is absolutely nothing wrong with my connectivity.

Also, i doubt NT is simply "acting like a radio", there must be some responsibility for connection management on the NT side of things.


The simple truth is MB Tradings Navigator software does not suffer from these types of disconnects, it is strictly NT where they are experienced.

Also, and this is strangest part, when NT loses the MB Trading connection, the MBTNav that NT pops up seems to still be actively connected.


I have noticed that these transient connection failures happen many times per day in NT...sometimes it successfully reconnects, but most times it fails to reconnect and has to be killed from the task manager.

I believe this also points to a connection management issue on the part of NinjaTrader. Otherwise, why would a restart immediately resolve the issue?


It would be fantastic if we could get someone to take this problem seriously rather than pointing to the broker as the problem. Personally, I have a major investment of both time and effort into NT at this point, but the lack of reliability when used with MBTrading is going to ultimately be a deal breaker.

I would be curious to know if anyone is using NT7 successfully with MB Trading without this type of connection problem happening multiple times per day.

Thanks,
Brandon

[NinjaTrader_Dierk]

>> there must be some responsibility for connection management on the NT side of things.
Incorrect, NT just reacts to what the MBT API tells NT. If the API tells NT "I lost connection", then NT would report that. The MBT API then tries to reconnect and would report that to NT as well.

Let's try this:
Please post your trace file and the exact timestamp on when this happens. I'll follow up up with MBT support to better understand what's going on. Thanks

[bridenour]

Thanks Dierk

Your explanation helps me understand the architecture, but doesn't explain the behavior.


I appreciate your offering to look at the issue; that's all im really asking for.


I will gather the trace file from NT AND the log from MBT and send them over as soon as the next disconnect helps.

br

[bridenour]

Dierk

I sent in the trace files to the support email address.

I looked at the files myself, and it looks like you are correct that the initial connection is lost by the MBTNav.

However, it seems like the MBTNav eventually recovers the connection. Actually, it creates an entirely new connection.

But NinjaTrader never recovers.


Anyway, take a look and let me know what you think.

Thanks!