Seeing this error in trace logs

[ATMtrader0001]

I see this error in my trace logs way too often:

Server.HdsClient.Connect.SocketError: e.SocketError=TimedOut:

What can cause this, and how do I correct this?

I have a good INTERNET connection, and all other systems work fine.
This is a continuing thorn in my side.

[NinjaTrader_Oxana]

Hello,
Thank you for your post.

Please send us your log and trace files so that we may look into what occurred.
You can do this by going to the Control Center-> Help-> Email Support
Ensuring 'Log and Trace Files' is checked will include these files. This is checked by default.
Please reference the following ticket number in the body of the email: 03902428

[ATMtrader0001]

I just tried to do this and I got an error. Unable to connect to the remote server

Then in the trace log I see:

2023-06-01 11:41:48:282 Gui.Tools.MailToSupport.OnSend4: System.Net.WebException: Unable to connect to the remote server
at System.Net.FtpWebRequest.GetRequestStream()
at NinjaTrader.Gui.Tools.MailtoSupport.<>c__DisplayCl ass12_0.<<OnSend>g__CallBack|0>d.MoveNext()

Does NT actually use FTP to transfer support files? If so, then I know why it failed as FTP is not enabled in the firewall as it is not secure.

[NinjaTrader_Oxana]

Hello,
Thank you for the note.

It looks like a networking issue. I have detailed a few general network troubleshooting steps below that may resolve this error for you (test for the issue after each step):

• Restart NinjaTrader
• Restart your modem and (if applicable) router
• Restart your PC
  Ensure that all available updates for your PC are installed from the Windows Settings > Update and Security page. Be sure to close NinjaTrader and restart your computer after any updates are installed.
• Clear your DNS
  • Open the Command Prompt
  • In the command prompt, run this command: ipconfig /flushdns
• If you are not already and the option is available to you, connect to the internet using an ethernet cable. Wireless connections are significantly more unreliable.
• Ensure exceptions have been added into any firewall/antivirus/backup programs for the Documents > "NinjaTrader 8" folder.
• Ensure that your computer is not turning off your Network Adapter to conserve power:
  • Right-click on your Start button
  • Select 'Device Manager'
  • Expand 'Network Adapters'
  • Right-click on your Network Adapter and select Properties > Power Management
  • Uncheck 'Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power' option
  • Click 'OK' to save the changes
  • Do this for all Network Adapters
• If the above steps do not help, contact your ISP and let them know you are experiencing a highly unstable connection. An issue of connectivity may exist on their end.

[QuantKey_Bruce]

I just tried to do this and I got an error. Unable to connect to the remote server

Then in the trace log I see:

2023-06-01 11:41:48:282 Gui.Tools.MailToSupport.OnSend4: System.Net.WebException: Unable to connect to the remote server
at System.Net.FtpWebRequest.GetRequestStream()
at NinjaTrader.Gui.Tools.MailtoSupport.<>c__DisplayCl ass12_0.<<OnSend>g__CallBack|0>d.MoveNext()

Does NT actually use FTP to transfer support files? If so, then I know why it failed as FTP is not enabled in the firewall as it is not secure.

Yes. You would have to enable FTP if you want to send your log and trace files.

[ATMtrader0001]

Thank you Bruce. That's what I thought. Who still uses FTP?

[QuantKey_Bruce]

Well, FTP is quite widely used. It's perhaps more en vogue to use SFTP now but there must be millions or billions FTPs happening every day. It's inherently more reliable than HTTP for sending anything but the smallest files because it supports resuming, active or passive connections, and many other features. It is inherently insecure in that it sends passwords in cleartext but often the things being sent are not security-sensitive and the reliability is more important than stopping someone who is trying super hard to do so from reading your (presumably boring) log and trace files. And one of the most common usages of FTP is anonymous FTP in which case there is no security concern because there is no password at all. The second most common would be a send-only drop-off in which case yes, the username and password are sent in cleartext but they are not particularly a secret because everyone uses the same ones, so here again, reliability is more important than the illusion of security in this case.