rwk's experience is similar to mine, except that mine is much severe and long lasting. Restarting TWS, or even computer, would be back to normal --- normal for only minutes or even seconds. Someone on this forum said there's something wrong with Java 7u40 http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=278856 so I tried several versions of JRE. No luck. In retrospect I observed that for the three days (not sure for longer ago) the morning session of US RTH suffered most the data stall issue. Asia session seemed to be normal. Europe session was not bad. Starting from the opening bell of US's equity markets, market data stall, burst, normal for minutes or seconds - mostly seconds, then stall again, sometimes some data, mostly US equity futures, would blank out, reconnect, normal for a short moment, stall again... Not sure for yesterday and before, today after around 13:00 EST IB TWS market data seem to be back to normal. Really strange this time. And although the situation is worst during the morning session of US RTH, I don't think amount of data and/or bandwidth are to blame. Recent days are not particularly busy - we all went through the volatile 2008/2009 and 2011/2012 when ES alone traded 4M, 5M or even 6M contracts a day. And stocks. And options. During those days, with my old, much less powerful computer, ThinkorSwim normally lag but IB TWS had no problem keeping up with the market. Now with declining volumes for nearly all markets, much powerful computer, plenty of RAM, SSD... This weekend I will buy another SSD to install Windows Server 2012 R2, configured for Desktop use, Enable Hyper-V, setup VMs of Windows 8.1 and Windows 7, installing latest Java and TWS. And keep my current SSD intact. Next Monday I will use my current system to see if the market data stall issue persists. If yes, then swap in the new SSD, try Windows Server 2012 R2 first. Don't work? Go to Windows 8.1. Don't Work? Go to Windows 7. To this point I basically rule out the Server-as-Desktop or Win8's involvement to the problem. How can a clean Win7 not work? Then I'll have to experiment with a few combinations of Java and TWS. Hope the issue disappear Monday. I'm not here to probe some peculiar technical issues. Damn it the data problem that I'm not in a good mood today to trade Google options!
Is your Internet connection via coaxial cable perchance? What you describe is typical of coax. I have Comcast cable, and I frequently get interruptions lasting from less than a second to several seconds. Coaxial cable is susceptible to interference (that's why it's coaxial). If so, your best alternative is a different technology, such as DSL or leased line.
How to switch to Hong Kong gateway? Years ago Hong Kong servers didn't deliver some elements of market data, such as high/low. For futures trading displaying high/low on TWS is a convenience. And Hong Kong servers reset during US's trading hours, while US servers reset around noon of Hong Kong time, during Hong Kong's hour-long market break for lunch. That's why I stay with the US gateway. Don't know how things develop now. Since these years I rarely encountered problems with IB, and once in a while something went wrong but either I could figure out what's the matter, or IB would get it fixed if it's on their side. No need to bother IB. Only thing I know of IB HK is David (def) is a good guy and HK's customer service is top notch. And I seem to have read somewhere a long time ago that IB will now automatically allocate/manage client account connection so choosing gateway is no longer necessary?
I use DSL, with fiber-optic to my building. I rarely get Internet interruptions that's physical/equipment-related. Since ThinkorSwim and my local broker feed both work normally, and IB TWS did quite well until days ago, I don't think my computer and my Internet connection are the problem. If not recent Java updates and/or Microsoft updates, my best bet is: 1) IB's side. But with such a large, active and globally diversified customer base, lasting for days, Should there's nothing googled. Not possible for a system-wide problem. But how about some server farm glitch? 2.) Internet Routing issue. Some hubs/routers of some ISP's (likely in the USA) might malfunction which cause IB's market data to be improperly delivered to my ISP, while ThinkorSwim goes through different routes, not affected by the failed parts?
I'm out of ideas. Good luck! Regarding changing gateways, I think IB tech support has to do that for you. If you have a reason to be on the US gateway, you should probably stay there. I agree that DEF has been helpful. Some of IB's people are very good, and some no so. I always try to be businesslike with them (even when I'm freaked-out).
Another idea: Have you considered possible intermittent failure of your DSL modem or router? I was having trouble with my router, and I bought the Medialink from Amazon. That fixed the problem.
http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showt...d=3839943&highlight=frozen+quotes#post3839943 phheww.. http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=3839943&highlight=frozen+quotes#post3839943 I still have them. In fact I got stalled quotes on 4-5tickets on Thursday(didn't trade today) Not me, not Ib can't figure out the Cause. I give up on this particular problem(frozen quotes on stovk, described in link above) Restart does solve it, but restarting the whole thing, while you trade large basket of stocks ...including my application, etc-pain in a***in this HFT driven market. I'm like a caveman against those DOD drones
same today. 2 accounts side to side on one PC. on one-stuck quotes on 2 tickers(out of 10 or so),another one-fine. SSDD
Well, got back to China a couple of days ago and internet access to most foreign sites is a disaster, it's even worse than what i'm used to, either due to HK unrest, china national day, or both. TWS has been nightmarish since i came back. Switching to HK server but not convinced it will work much better as it's still a non Mainland server. Traders out of China, how is it from your side, which brokers work best from Mainland china -including the institutional ones, like ABN Amro, lek, or New edge ?