August 2015
Terry Duffy, Senior Vice President, Business Development at Advantage Futures, offers insight on server colocation and how Advantage can assist.
Question: Please provide a brief overview of what server colocation is and what it can do for traders.
TJD: Colocation allows you to host servers at our high quality data centers. This is an attractive solution for traders seeking the fast, robust and reliable access to a futures exchange matching engine. It’s also beneficial for traders running automated trading systems—from greybox to blackbox. Server colocation brings your strategy as close to the exchange matching engine as possible, significantly reducing execution times, as well as the risks of multiple points of failure. With remote access to your colocated servers, you can enjoy the freedom to trade quickly and confidently from anywhere around the globe.
Question: How can Advantage support this process?
TJD: Advantage strives to have you up and trading in no time with a simple step-by-step process for direct access to the exchanges. We start by consulting with you about your needs and customized server options. After you purchase a server and have it shipped to our offices, we work on optimization. We set up VPN access if necessary, install it in our rack space at the data center and provide a login so you can upload your trade logic. We will assist you in performing speed tests so you can activate your operation and start executing trades.
Question: What are the added benefits of hosting your server with Advantage?
TJD: We offer 24-hour support between Sunday 2:00 PM and Friday 5:00 PM CST, as well as back-up Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and Optional Disaster Recovery Protection. All servers are equipped with a component to allow Advantage remote access to the server.
Question: Who provides the server space?
TJD: Advantage Futures provides server space for our clients. We currently lease more than 4,000 square feet in multiple data center facilities.
Question: How does Advantage Futures support the setup of the server space?
TJD: We monitor all connections at our data centers remotely via a robust network monitoring system. Our technology team frequently performs on-site support for our clients.
Question: How fast will trades execute through server colocation and what is the cost?
TJD: Advantage’s technology team is happy to facilitate side-by-side testing in a production environment for clients seeking to quantify deltas.
For more information on server colocation, contact your Advantage Futures client representative at 312.800.7000 or email us at contactus@advantagefutures.com.
