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Introduction to the TraderMetrics Network Server User Guide |
TraderMetrics Network Server (TMNS) is a software application designed to work with multiple instances TraderMetrics client application on a local network (LAN) or over the Internet. It allows users to participate in a multi-player simulation of the FOREX market. The software runs on Microsoft Windows XP. Although the client software has been tested on Windows Vista, there is no guaranty that all the TMNS functionality will be available. Therefore XP is recommended. Technically, TMNS routes messages and acts as a central node for clients). Administratively TMNS allows an administrator to administrate the operation of a network session. A network trading session cannot be started without the TMNS being started and the network and ports specified. The clients (TraderMetrics) running on other machines, cannot connect without an active session in progress and the IP address of the server specified in the tm.ini file. Clients have to have a full or a pro license to participate in a Network session. The Pro version allows enhanced functionality. |
Installing the TraderMetrics Network Server |
TraderMetrics Network Server is installed on a PC that has IP access to the local network (LAN) or the Internet. Follow the installation instructions If you are installing to a PC with Vista installed, you may have to install using administrator rights. |
Setting up a Network Trading Session |
(Click the link to see image) ip address A list of IP addresses is shown on the first screen. This is usually the LAN IP address (192.168.1.xxx). If the PC is connected directly to the Internet, the IP address of the PC will be shown; however, if a firewall is present, a DMZ has to be created. Ensure that the clients, depending on whether they are connecting on the LAN or WAN, have the correct IP address in the Network session, thus: (in the TM.INI file) [Network] ;The server name, IP and port number. If set, TraderMetrics will attempt to use DNS ;Establish connection time-out The port number remains the same, unless it has been pre-configured otherwise by FTM. You will be asked if you want to recover a session, if one had not been closed down correctly. This is used in case of a PC crash or power failure. The session is fully recoverable. |
Session Settings |
Most of the session settings should be familiar to you from the TraderMetrics client set up (in stand-alone mode). Please refer to the help system of this version for more details. |
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Advertisement Settings |
The clients can have banner adds displayed in their settings. Click continue |
Setting the Initial Rates for the Trading Session ("Initial Rate Settings") |
The session has to start with an initial trading rate (unless a canned rate file (DAD file) is being used. (Click the link to see image) initial market conditions Initial Market ConditionsIf the session is a 'virtual market', there has to be an initial 'last trade rate' as a reference to start the session. Set the rate in the correct decimal format for the currency pair. Crawling Market SupportCrawling Support provides a self-sustaining market based on supply and demand. According to the change magnitude, the amount, the multiplier and maximum amount, the market will move according to how much is attempted on a price. For example, if the change magnitude is 1 point and the amount is 1 million, a 1 million sell order at the market will move the price down by one point. Alternatively, a 1 million buy order at the market will move the price up by one point. This is like pre-setting the market liquidity and can be adjusted during a session. With the robot clients and AutoTransact, a complete virtual market can be created. |
Starting the session ("Start the session") |
There is a (Click the link to see image) window where you can check that the settings required are correct. After the session is started, clients may now log on. |
How do I use Live rates in trading sessions? |
Due to the limitations of redistributing rates from vendors, to use live rates in a trading session requires a some convolution. The way that we get around that problem is to use a device known as the 'Parity Engine'. This is a sub-system that can be utilized when the crawling rate support used with AutoTransact. The principle is that a live rate feed is fed into the Parity Engine, rather than directly into the session. The market is started using the current market price. Traders can trade off the real market price, that they receive from brokers, etc. However, if there is no trading, how does the crawling support price 'adjust' to the market price? This is done by comparing the actual real market price to the trading session price and then having the Parity Engine automatically change the customer buying or selling bias to create trades that will bring the market back into line. This is obviously best achieved by engaging one or more 'robot traders' on the system. Havisng said that, if there enough traders on the system, they will 'arbitrage' the price into line. With practice, it will be possible to 'fine tune' the amount that the market moves according to the volatility of the actual market. It is suggested that a few 'dry runs' are made to correlate the session price with the actual price. This is done by running a session and comparing the graph on one of the robot clients with the actual market movement. see the(Click the link to see image) example |
The Administrator Interface |
The Administrator Interface is where the trading session administrator monitors and controls the trading session. The following functions are controlled from here:
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