wow 10 charts? AND in real time? i think you need FIOS though, i'm pretty sure you could get by with 56kbps...
Thanks, guys , for all the inputs. So it looks like 3mpb's is more than enough for 10 charts. Don't know why some people are so mean here. I was asking a serious question. Don't you better things to do? Did you have a bad childhood?
I have Comcast cable modem service. I share the bandwidth with 3 PC's via a Linksys router. Each PC runs the TradeStation platform, driving between 4 to 6 monitors, and about 4 charts on each monitor (so about 16 charts to 20+ charts for each PC). The bandwidth seems okay. I did experience slow bottleneck when I first set it up >1 year ago but it turned out to be PC power. After I upgraded all 3 PC's to newer hardware it seemed to work okay. For chart displays, getting data is depending on the network bandwidth. But calculating the moving averages and indicators and displaying the graphics are a function of your PC. So your network bandwidth may not be a big concern unless you are displaying all tick charts (getting data tick-by-tick).
I have a 5 mbps service from RCN. It has been fine for my needs. My condo association just negotiated free service at 1.5 mbps. I am trying to decide whether to downgrade. It would save me $40 per month. I don't do any charting. I have bid/ask info streaming in on, say, 1000 securities and I might have 10 to 100 positions on in TWS at any point in time. Is there any way of figuring out whether 1.5 mbps is adequate other than just downgrading and seeing if there is a problem? Thanks, mss
You could always get something like a T1 connection but that would cost hundreds per month. It sounds like your problem is the wireless wifi which an N router and adapter may help or may not. I trade off my notebook but I use a hardwire connection to the router when I'm trading. Wireless is just too flaky.
I agree with the above post. I also have wireless router but for trading I am using hardwire connection.
Most trading application System Requirements specify hard wired (ethernet) vs wireless. I have never known of a wireless that provides the same datarate and 0% packet loss that you can get from ethernet. As for whether a 12 mpbs cable data connection is sufficient, that's plenty. You can install a bandwidth meter if you want as there are many available online for free. You can also test your datarate at www.speedtest.net and choose a test server near where your trading data is coming from (I test using NY and Chicago servers). When in doubt, call your broker's tech support department and see what they say about connectivity interface and data rate for the specific application(s) you are running. They're the best resource as they have troubleshot pretty much every scenario that can come up with their applications.