Do I need two ISPs?

[SpreadBunny]

Accidents and all sorts can happen especially when you trade and one can never be too prepared for it. So my question is, if I were a dedicated day trader, should I install an extra telephone line and have a second ISP on that line as well? Or am I going too far? :cheesy:

 

[Trader333]

In my view all you need is a land line, and a mobile both with the dealer desk number and you should be OK. Far more important in my view is having a UPS in case of power cut that is connected to your broadband modem and any hands free land line phones that you may have.


Paul

 

[peto]

I've not done it yet, but would connecting my mobi phone via bluetooth (or cable) to my pc provide enough bandwidth to at least close a trade? If so, it would provide an emergency solution at rather less expense than your proposed route.

If you are looking at providing full cover while one of your phone lines (or ISP connections) is repaired then your solution would meet most eventualities other than a line severage (which would probably get both your lines) or an exchange problem. Therefore perhaps your home can access both a copper cable connection and a fibre optic line as well?

 

[Trader333]

I've not done it yet, but would connecting my mobi phone via bluetooth (or cable) to my pc provide enough bandwidth to at least close a trade?

The answer is probably yes but it may take up to 2 weeks to get to the webpage and close the trade


Paul

 

[timm]

I was thinking of using a 3G connected laptop to give backup for power, hardware or network failure. Anybody else doing this?

 

[peto]

The answer is probably yes but it may take up to 2 weeks to get to the webpage and close the trade
Paul

Ah. Might be a problem in the middle of a scalp then?
UPS sounds a good idea, something like this? http://www.ingraminstallations.co.uk/index.html

More seriously there was an interesting thread on UPS's a couple of years back, at http://www.trade2win.com/boards/showthread.php?p=144693&highlight=Uninterruptible+power#post144693

 

[shadowninja]

I have the telephone number of my SB company and my account details noted in my Trading Plan should I need to close a trade and my computer has died.

That said, I also have a spare PC of similar spec that can be set up and online in 5 minutes should it be a problem with the PC. Windows is so quick to boot on that PC as it only has Windows and nothing else. You never know. (PS I bought the spare PC second hand for about £100 including peripherals. :cheesy: )

 

[nine]

I have a cell phone and IB's Hong Kong number (plus my account number) written in the back of my diary.

If something goes down (once a year event) and I don't believe my trades are bracketed I call IB and just cancel everything. Then I'm on holiday until the issues are resolved.

 

[SpreadBunny]

Thank you guys.

It looks like two landline & ISP option isn't necessary. I didn't think about the BT exchange problem, if it went down, the two landlines won't do.

I'll certainly have dealer desk numbers, my account numbers, laptop and mobile (hopefully charged up or have backup battery) ready.

 

[ceydababy]

I was thinking of using a 3G connected laptop to give backup for power, hardware or network failure. Anybody else doing this?

Yes...Have a Vodafone 3g Data Card, use my own internet at home, but have the 3g card plugged in too, only fire it up should my wireless network go down...using the wireless router supplied from BT this happens at least once a day !!

 

[jolor]

How fast and reliable is 3g data card?

 

[RichieE]

How fast and reliable is 3g data card?

The questions is, what are you looking to do with the 3G data card connection?

I own a 3G card on Vodafone and I use it regularly. I have never tried to trade from a 3G card but I have tried to play online-poker and occasionally had problems with dropped connections.

I've found the card pretty good for the purposes of browsing, MSN Messenger and email. Just be aware that the quality of the service seems to be variable and if you are used to a broadband connection from home you will really notice the lower speed.

Bear in mind the following;

1. The theoretical speed of a 3G card is only 1/3Meg (384kbps).
2. I formally worked for Bloomberg and we recommended a 2 x 2 Meg line as the bare minimum for anyone attempting to trade.

P.S. You might want to check out the new 3.5G cards... I haven't used one so I can't vouch for it but I've heard good reports.

 

[peto]

I've not done it yet, but would connecting my mobi phone via bluetooth (or cable) to my pc provide enough bandwidth to at least close a trade? If so, it would provide an emergency solution at rather less expense than your proposed route.

If you are looking at providing full cover while one of your phone lines (or ISP connections) is repaired then your solution would meet most eventualities other than a line severage (which would probably get both your lines) or an exchange problem. Therefore perhaps your home can access both a copper cable connection and a fibre optic line as well?

Using the latest version of PC Suite I have now persuaded my nokia mobi to act as a modem via bluetooth. I get 112kbs which is the same as the ISDN connection I ran with a few years ago, and I was able to get a re-connect to IB in 20 to 30 seconds, and enter an order with an acceptance in about 1 second. It's enough to cover for an emergency ISP failure (which was point of the original post in this thread) and quicker than calling IB to close a trade. It is also effectively free, using resources I already have.

 

[Mayfly]

Hi Peto,

What a great idea, I don't know why but I hadn't thought of doing that!

Thanks

Regards

Mayfly

 

[gedward3]

Hi RichiE,

I used to know a guy years ago who used to play poker when it was early days and he cleaned up. He had 2 laptops and an online connections from home and would be playing 3 hands from 1 table which gave hime an advantage. I gather he was just luring players into a big pot of which he had the best advantage. Then when he cleaned them out he would just switch tables.

Anyway those days are gone now with most poker sites as they got wise to this and changed the way you can connect up to them to only from a home ISP address.

Ged

The questions is, what are you looking to do with the 3G data card connection?

I own a 3G card on Vodafone and I use it regularly. I have never tried to trade from a 3G card but I have tried to play online-poker and occasionally had problems with dropped connections.

I've found the card pretty good for the purposes of browsing, MSN Messenger and email. Just be aware that the quality of the service seems to be variable and if you are used to a broadband connection from home you will really notice the lower speed.

Bear in mind the following;

1. The theoretical speed of a 3G card is only 1/3Meg (384kbps).
2. I formally worked for Bloomberg and we recommended a 2 x 2 Meg line as the bare minimum for anyone attempting to trade.

P.S. You might want to check out the new 3.5G cards... I haven't used one so I can't vouch for it but I've heard good reports.

 

[RichieE]

I used to know a guy years ago who used to play poker when it was early days and he cleaned up. He had 2 laptops and an online connections from home and would be playing 3 hands from 1 table which gave hime an advantage. I gather he was just luring players into a big pot of which he had the best advantage. Then when he cleaned them out he would just switch tables.

Anyway those days are gone now with most poker sites as they got wise to this and changed the way you can connect up to them to only from a home ISP address.

Ged, that's an old trick... however, I doubt that it can be reapplied to give you the same advantage in market making against the big institutional players!