Loosing data feed connection every day or two

[haakonflaar]

I am subscribed to the market data bundle CMEGROUP_TOP (CME Bundle, Level 1 data for CME, COMEX; NYMEX and CBOT). Every day or two I loose connection to the live data feed, and I need to manually re-enable all my strategies. It happens on seemingly completely random times by the look of the logs. The virtual machine running NT desktop is not loosing network connection so that is not the issue. Is it a known issue for this data feed? Any solution?

[bltdavid]

Who is your broker/data provider?

[haakonflaar]

I am using NinjaTrader as broker. Currently only sim trading in a demo account, but I assume the issue will be the same live.

[NinjaTrader_Manfred]

Hello haakonflaar,

Thank you very much for your post.

Could you send us your log & trace files? We'd like to investigate this further.

You can do this by going to the Control Center -> Help -> Email Support

Please select "Platform Technical Support" as the recipient and enter a brief "ATTN Manfred" note in the message.

Thank you in advance, I look forward to your reply!

[haakonflaar]

NinjaTrader_Manfred I sent log and trace files and got reply that the computer I was running NT on had internet connection issues. I checked the virtual machine log and saw no issues. Tried changing virtual machine, and I still have the same issue - no internet connection loss on the VM but I still loose data feed connection in NT. You sure it is not something with the data package I use/using NT as data provider?

[NinjaTrader_Spencer]

Hello haakonflaar,

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 will continuously try to re-establish a connection.

The first thing I would recommend doing is shutting down NinjaTrader and restarting your modem/router.

If you have an antivirus/firewall installed you will want to add NinjaTrader to its exceptions list.

Common reasons that contribute to connection stability are:

• ISP issues
• Hardware firewall changing IP addresses frequently
• Dynamic IP addresses changing frequently intraday. This usually happens once a week but you may want to check with your ISP. If they do change daily, requesting a static IP address may help.
• Broker/market data servers may be experiencing temporary downtime

I have also provided additional steps you may take to troubleshoot your connection losses:

• Ensure that your computer is not turning off your Network Adapter to conserve power:
  • Restart NinjaTrader
  • 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
• Clear your DNS
  • Open the Command Prompt
  • In the command prompt, run this command: ipconfig/flushdns
• Turning off any VPN Network Software
• 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 to any firewall/antivirus/backup programs for the Documents > "NinjaTrader 8" folder.
• 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.

[haakonflaar]

NinjaTrader_Spencer I am currently connecting to the "NinjaTrader" data feed. I am unable to connect to the "NinjaTrader Continuum" data feed as I get login failed. What are the difference, which should I use and how can I connect to "NinjaTrader Continuum"?

[NinjaTrader_Spencer]

Hello,

Thank you for your post.

When using the NinjaTrader Continuum connection you will need to use your CQG-based username and password.

If you are unsure of what these are you may request a password reset using the steps below.

You can initiate a platform password reset for your NinjaTrader Brokerage account by following these steps:

1. Log into your NinjaTrader Client Dashboard
2. Navigate to the icon on the upper right-hand corner of the page
3. Select Profile from the drop-down menu
4. The second section on the page says Platform Password Reset, you will want to select Reset
5. An email will be sent to the address on file with the account from do-not-reply-gw[AT]cqg[DOT]com with a link to update your NinjaTrader platform password

For more detailed instructions, please see the following article: How Can I Reset My Live Trading Password?

[haakonflaar]

NinjaTrader_Spencer I am able to log in with the username and password in the Client dashboard and in the NT desktop application - is it not the same username and password for the NT Continuum?

[NinjaTrader_Spencer]

Hello haakonflaar,

Thank you for your post.

No they will be different and you will need to use your CQG username and password which can be obtained with the steps above.

[haakonflaar]

NinjaTrader_Spencer Okay that worked - thanks. I have some questions though:

1. What is the difference between the "NinjaTrader" and the "NinjaTrader Continuum" data feeds (see the picture in my previous comment)?
2. I've been using the "NinjaTrader" data feed and have gotten disconnected many times using it - is the continuum any better?
3. Is it possible to connect to the Continuum data feed with multiple devices? I get disconnected from one device when connecting on another.
4. Does the continuum data feed use the market data I have purchased (CMEGROUP_TOP) from the NT client portal page? DOes the "NinjaTrader" data feed also use the same subscription?

[NinjaTrader_Spencer]

Hello haakonflaar,

Thank you for your post.

1. These are two different API technologies, NinjaTrader is the newer connection technology that also allows a connection to the Simulation environment to a server-side Demo account.
   This connection also allows you to use the same username and password to log into the newest version of NinjaTrader Desktop, Web, Mobile, and Client Dashboard.
   NinjaTrader Continuum is only usable within the NinjaTrader Desktop platform
2. Unfortunately, I would be unable to comment on which is better as the connection state is not dictated by NinjaTrader. NinjaTrader behaves like a radio receiver in that it receives signals from the connected server.
   If the signals are not coming through, the 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 API will continuously try to re-establish a connection. While these connections have the same endpoint destination, they may take slightly different routes to get there and one may disconnect while the other doesn't or they may both experience the same connection losses.
3. You would be able to connect with two different platforms with NInjaTrader Continuum, however, you would need a second username.
   Please be advised that accounts are subject to a $10 per month additional username fee when not meeting the minimum account activity requirement. Accounts are required to trade a minimum of 2 contracts (1 round turn trade) per month to be considered active. This fee does not apply to active accounts.
4. Yes, both connections use the same data subscriptions from the Client Dashboard.

[haakonflaar]

NinjaTrader_Spencer I have used NinjaTrader Continuum for almost 2 weeks now and am happy to say that I have had no disconnects with it. I have, however, had several disconnections when using the "NinjaTrader" data connection on a different computer. There most certainly is a difference between the two. Note, for the "NinjaTrader" connection I have always used "Account type: Simulation". I have no idea if it has something to do with the connection loss..it shouldn't. In any case, I will continue using NinjaTrader Continuum.