Page History: Frequently Asked Questions
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Page Revision: 2011/07/14 13:22
Question 1:
Why do my P&L calculations look wrong in markets that have different price formats between the front and back months?
Answer 1
If the price format of a market changes from one day to the next, remaining GTC orders and rollover positions will be incorrectly priced. For example, the front month Euro trades in 0.0025 increments compared to 0.005 for all back months. The new front-month contract begins trading in the 0.0025 increments on the same trade date as the last trading day of the expiring front-month contract. Any order that remains in the system in the old format will not display correctly and could have a significant impact on P&L and rollover positions. These orders need to be cancelled and reentered. Rollover positions then need to be reentered with the new format using the "pit trade' functionality.
Question 2:
Is there a limit of windows you can have open at one time?
Answer 2
There isn’t a set limit; however there may be problems when someone has 40+ windows open of any kind.
There is a limit on the number of markets you can get quotes for at once – this is currently set to 2500. If you exceed this limit then the market mode for markets over that limit will be red and say “Rejected”.
Question 3:
What phones or mobile devices does the mobile version work on?
Answer 3
Currently, our mobile version is compatible with the following devices:
iPhone (All Versions)
iPod Touch (All Versions)
ipad
Android
Android Galaxy Tablet
Windows Mobile 7 (HTC HD7)
Nokia Symbian (N8)
Opera Mini/Mobile (Droid & G1)
T4 mobile version may also be compatible with other newer devices not yet released. CTS continuously tests new devices to confirm compatibility.
For best functionality, CTS recommends using a device with the iOS (iPhone, IPod, iPad) operating system or the Android operating system.
Question 4
Can I run T4 through a Mac OSX platform?
Answer 4
The T4 Web Trader version works on MAC but not the T4 Desktop version. The Desktop version will work on Apple if you install Windows Operating System on a partition.
Question 5
What information is required to run the T4 Desktop Application behind a corporate firewall/internet proxy?
Answer 5
We have the following IP address ranges:
Internap - EQ-CER
Range: 74.201.6.0 /24
Mask: 255.255.255.0
Level3 - EQ-CER
Range: 69.44.110.0 /24
Mask: 255.255.255.0
Yipes - CBOT
Range: 208.116.215.0 /25
Mask: 255.255.255.128
Our applications use port 80 & 443 on any of those IP’s. From a domain name perspective then you need *.t4login.com, *.sim.t4login.com and www.ctsfutures.com open.
If your proxy requires authentication then you will need to allow T4 to bypass it as the Microsoft .Net Framework we use doesn’t support authenticating proxy servers. If your proxy doesn’t require authentication then T4 should work fine, but if it doesn’t then the simplest solution would be to bypass the proxy if that is possible.
Question 6
What are the minimum requirements to run your system?
Answer 6
It depends on how many windows and how active the trader is but here are some guidelines:
Processor – 2.5GHz or higher
Memory – 2 GB or more
Video card – 256MB
OS – XP, Vista or Windows 7
Question 7
Is your trading application available in languages other than English?
Answer 7
T4 is available in Chinese and Japanese. Your computer’s language would have to be changed to Chinese/Japanese because our platform pulls the settings from the operating system to display the language.
Question 8
I tried installing software after downloading but I get an error message which says, "Installer integrity has failed. Common causes include incomplete download and damaged media. Contact installer's author to obtain a new copy."
Answer 8
Causes:
This can be caused by anti-virus software. Also on Windows XP, this can sometimes be solved by temporarily disabling the windows firewall (or other firewall software.)
This can also happen if a computer is infected with malware/viruses.
Here’s a list of troubleshooting steps:
1. Update anti-virus software, run full scan.
2. Run any other anti-malware softwares (we recommend MalwareBytes software.)
3. Clear browser cache.
4. Disable any installed download accelerator/managers.
5. Temporarily disable anti-virus software.
6. Temporarily disable windows firewall.
7. Disable other firewall software (such as nVidia firewall installed on some machines.)
8. Check hard drive integrity using scandisk.
Question 9
I’m getting an error message that says “.NET failed to install, T4 was unsuccessful in loading”
Answer 9
It is not common for .Net to fail on installation. This piece of the install is all Microsoft.
Our frontend checks to see if Framework is installed. If it isn't it prompts the user to install it. We have seen broken workstation builds in the past that were confused as to whether or not Framework was actually installed.
Here’s a list of troubleshooting steps:
1.
Apply all pending Microsoft Updates.
Open Internet Explorer.
Go to Tools=>Windows Update
Follow the instructions.
2. Manually install the Framework 1.1 packages.
Framework 1.1 Package
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=262d25e3-f589-4842-8157-034d1e7cf3a3&DisplayLang=en
Framework 1.1 Sp 1
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a8f5654f-088e-40b2-bbdb-a83353618b38&DisplayLang=en
3. Reinstall our frontend (try it first without the reinstall).
4. If all the above fails, try another workstation (later versions of XP include Framework 1.1). In cases where we have gotten this far the workstation had serious OS issues.
5. Be sure there is sufficient disk space. You would have to read on Microsoft for the specific requirements. It would be hundreds of Mb though.
6. Be sure antivirus is disabled.
7. Be sure the user is logged in as an administrator.
8. User can try uninstalling, rebooting, reinstalling .net framework, and running Windows updates
9. In a last ditch effort the user can try roll their machine back to a previous restore point. We have seen this work.
10. In general when something this fundamental has issues then it typically indicates a deeper issue and we would recommend a full OS rebuild. If it is a brand new machine then we would hold off and troubleshoot a bit.
Question 10
How would I send you log files?
Answer 10
While logged in one can capture the trace logs using the following instructions:
1. From Main window click the New Item drop down menu.
2. At the bottom of the list click Help and Support.
3. On the Help and Support dialog click View Support Logs.
4. Explorer will open.
5. Zip the Trace folder.
6. Attach the zip file to an email and email it to our support.
If you cannot login, you can access them by going to
C:\Documents and Settings\Local Settings\Application Data\CTS\Live\Trace
Or if you are using the simulated version
C:\Documents and Settings\Local Settings\Application Data\CTS\Simulator\Trace
Question 11
Where can I go to get a trial version of your software?
Answer 11
You can go to our website. www.ctsfutures.com Go to “Free Simulator” and register.
Question 12
What is the wireless host for trading on the trading floor?
Answer 12
167.204.222.129 www.t4login.com
Question 13
What do I do if I get locked out from too many failed login attempts? And how many attempts before I get logged out?
Answer 13
a) You need to contact your clearing firm administrator. If you do not know your clearing firm administrator, contact our support at 312 939 0164 or
[email protected], and they can help you get in contact with your administrator.
b) You get five tries before you get locked out.
Question 14
How do I get started writing to your API?
Answer 14
You can start by signing up for our simulator by clicking this link and completing the registration form. https://cts.sim.t4login.com/register/
You can also go here to view our API docs. http://www.ctsfutures.com/t4_api.aspx
Any questions, please email
[email protected]Question 15
I was checking my user sessions under the mode header and some of the modes say “executeandquote” and some say “executeandquotepro”. What does this mean?
Answer 15
The most current version of the T4 desktop application can assign users to different servers based on role. Charting Users would display as “executeandquotepro” and non-charting users would display as “executeandquote”.
Question 16
Why do I see a different opening price on my quote board versus the opening price on the chart?
Answer 16
We do not display spread trades on the chart. The opening price we display on the quote board is reported to us by the exchange and will be whatever the first trade is regardless or type.
So if the first trade registered is a spread trade the chart will not pick it up.
Remember that since spread trades are not displayed on the charts, other things may be slightly off such as volumes. This is generally fine because the main goal of the chart is to determine trends in market, and the data we show is the best for that purpose.
Question 17
I have a client who is using a SIM login to develop an API strategy. He tells me that he needs a license key to proceed? Can someone please inform me of the limitations of developing in SIM? Is there a license key needed?
Answer 17
Click on the link below, complete the form and send the completed form back to
[email protected]
Application License Code
Question 18
Why am I unable to hear alerts on the Desktop version?
Answer 18
1. First make sure you have turned the alerts on by going to your main properties and enabling the alerts.
2. If after you have enabled the alerts you still do not hear them, make sure your volume and speakers are working properly on your computer.
3. If you have done this and you can hear things on your computer but not on T4 you may need to go to your computer manufacturer’s website and update your audio drivers.
Question 19
Do you offer user guide that I can access quickly while trading and not have to go to your website?
Answer 19
1. From main window of T4 click the New Item drop-down menu.
2. At the bottom of the list click “Help and Support”.
3. On the Help and Support dialog click “View User Guide”
Question 20
Why do my positions and P&L disappear at the end of the day?
Answer 20
Your clearing firm may have set your account so that it does not carry over your positions and P&L into the next trading session. If you want to change this you will have to contact your clearing firm and have them enable this. Any positions and P&L that were there before enabling carry over must be re-entered as manual fills to display any positions that are not showing.
Question 21
Do you offer user guide that I can access quickly while trading and not have to go to your website?
Answer 21
1. From main window of T4 click the New Item drop-down menu.
2. At the bottom of the list click “Help and Support”.
3. On the Help and Support dialog click “View User Guide”
Question 22
Do you offer any information on how to use your Market Profile?
Answer 22
Go to our Market Profile Quick Start.
Question 23
Does the Exchange hold the legs of an Auto OCO order?
Answer 23
CTS holds the legs until the legs are triggered. Then they are at the exchange.
Question 24
Do you offer anything to keep me from trading with myself?
Answer 24
Yes. In the main properties, go to the contract tab, and enable Auto Pull.
Automatically pulls orders that could potentially trade against the order currently being entered. The cancellation of existing orders is
attempted prior to submitting the new order, but confirmation of the pulls is not waited for before submitting the new order.
Question 25
I tried to use the flatten button, and instead of flattening positions, it will either add to my current position or reverse my position instead of closing it out. Why does it do this?
Answer 25
The Flatten button only exists to simplify flattening one’s position.
We are not sending a flatten message to our server side risk module. This is because there is no way for our server to generate an order without explicit user action. It is deemed too risky to have a server-automated process monitoring an account’s net position and attempting to flatten it. You could end up with a rouge server side process flipping an account’s position as quickly as it can for as long as it can.
The more latency a user is experiencing due to connectivity and bandwidth, the higher the risk of clicking the flatten button multiple times to do the same job. At the point of clicking the flatten button the frontend looks to see what the user’s net position is. It then creates and submits an offsetting order. If the flatten button is clicked again prior to getting a response back from the exchange/server then another duplicate order may be submitted.
We recommend that the user turn on prompts. This should make the above scenario much less likely to happen. It should also put the trader at ease since they will get the feedback that they did in fact submit the flattening order. They should also have their order book open to see the order working.
Main Properties / Contract Tab / Trade Confirm = Prompt
Question 26
After I save my settings and then log back in I can’t resize or adjust the windows to fully display.
Answer 26
It is probably that the user has their OS set to large fonts. These settings are found in the Control Panel under Personalization. If the user wants things to look larger they need adjust the screen resolution and not the DPI Scaling.
Question 27
Does T4 have the ability to place Iceberg orders?
Answer 27
Yes, there is a button on the ladder that says MX. The screen shot below shows that there is a 5 lot in and 1 in the MX. So I am showing 1 but working 5.
http://www.ctsfutures.com/wiki/GetFile.aspx?File=mxorder.bmp&AsStreamAttachment=1&Provider=ScrewTurn.Wiki.Plugins.SqlServer.SqlServerFilesStorageProvider&IsPageAttachment=1&Page=T4%20Client%20FAQ.MainPage&NoHit=1
Question 28
Are settlement prices posted in the Liffe Exchange for spreads?
Answer 28
No, Liffe does not post settlement prices on spreads. For further information contact the Liffe exchange at
http://www.nyse.com/about/newsevents/1095581297148.htmlQuestion 29
When setting up customer with day and overnight margins, at what time do the overnight margins begin and end?
Answer 29
Overnight margin begins when a position is carried past the close of that commodity. If a customer carries a position, the overnight margin stays on that position until it is liquidated.
Question 30
After setting up a new client we received an error message. When they try entering in an order the message says "Rejected, incomplete instruction details". Can you explain from where this message originates and how to correct it?
Answer 30
“Rejected, incomplete instruction details” means that the executing group is missing from the account setup under the exchange details.
Question 31
If I logout of my application, will my day orders and stops continue to work?
Answer 31
Yes, they will keep working until that product closes or you get filled. If the order is a GTC it will keep working until you cancel it or that product’s month expires.
Question 32
I try to login to the mobile version on my Ipad and when I login it says “loading settings”, and after five attempts it locks me out.
Answer 32
Using the greater than or less than symbols (< >) in a password will not work in Ipad, and will cause the “loading settings” error message. Do not use these symbols in a password.
Question 33
While using Stochastic on a chart how many bars are in the calculation?
Answer 33
The number of bars may also be known as the number of periods. This generally defaults to 14, but is configurable on the properties page of a chart.
Question 34
How do I access my previous day’s orders and fills?
Answer 34
You can access your previous day’s orders and fills by going to our website at www.ctsfutures.com . At our website, click on existing customers, and find the link for your firm. Look for the GET IT NOW logo and to the right there will be a login to the web trader. Put in your username and password and then login. When you are logged in you will see historical data on the left hand side. Click that and from there you will be able to access all orders.
Question 35
I was examining the Administrative Log for the Live account we're trading and I noticed something like a 25 second disconnect with the previous connection status being changed to:
ServerMessageBacklog
What does that message mean?
Answer 35
It means the api was not able to deal with data as quickly as the server was sending it to you. If you are stepping through code with breakpoints then this would make sense. If it was running on its own then it means however you are handling the events is too slow. If the API determines it is more than 30 seconds behind it will automatically disconnect and reconnect on the off chance that the issue is to do with one of our servers.
Question 36
While trading in the Eurex I notice that my P&L is a plus 1,060 but my total P&L is showing plus 1493 why is that?
Answer 36
The amount you are seeing in the P&L is in Euros, and the amount in the total P&L is the amount converted into dollars.
Question 37
While trading on T4 I try to submit an order but everytime I do my mouse jumps to the scroll the market up arrow and clicks it?
Answer 37
The fix for this issue was that the power cord running to the monitor was holding down the scroll lock button on the computers keyboard. other issues that this caused were inability to drag and drop anything on the ladder.
Question 38
When pulling up the weekly options I notice that I can only see quotes for Three out of the five weeks on my Option board. Why is this?
Answer 38
The exchange only lists three weekly options at a time. You can check the exchanges website for specs or call the GCC 312 456 2391.
http://www.cmegroup.com/trading/agricultural/weekly-options-on-grain-futures.html
http://www.cmegroup.com/trading/agricultural/files/Weekly-Grain-Options-Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdfQuestion 39
How do I put the mobile version on my Phone?
Answer 39
The mobile version is a website you hit. Go to firm name.t4login.com and login with with your normal username/password
Question 40
If I get a fill of an exchange supported spread is it possible to view the individual legs of that spread?
Answer 40
Yes you can view the trade legs of that spread by right clicking on your fill in the order book, which pulls up your order details then click on the trade legs tab and it will give you the individual legs of that spread.
Question 41
I have been using the simulated version and I am now going to go live. Is there a way to transfer my layout to the live version so I do not have to rebuild my layout?
Answer 41
Yes you can save your layout to your computer. Go to your main properties in the sim, then click save settings to a file. Name the file and save it to your computer. Then log in to the live version and go to your main properties and click load settings from a file then find your settings on your computer and load them. Once your settings are loaded up click your save settings.
Question 42
How Can I set the days for a Simple Moving Average?
Answer 42
You would need to set the bar interval to 1 day and the SMA intervals to The number of days you want. Ex if you wanted a 50 day Simple moving average you would set the bar interval to 1 day and the SMA intervals to 50.
Question 43
The study called Pivot Point, also draws R1, R2...etc S1, S2...etc.
What are those (how are they calculated)?
Answer 43
PP is the pivot point line. R1, R2, … and S1, S2, … are the computed support and resistance levels.
The computation depends on how the user configures the settings.
The High, Low, Close prices described below are taken from the target bar which defaults to yesterdays daily bar (Bar Interval = 1 Day, Bars Back = 1).
There are 4 methods.
Method 1: Floor (default)
PP = (High + Low + Close) / 3
R1 = (2 * PP) – Low
R2 = PP + High – Low
R3 = High + (2 * (PP – Low))
S1 = (2 * PP) – High
S2 = PP – High + Low
S3 = Low – (2 * (High – PP))
Method 2: Woodie
PP = (High + Low + (2 * Close)) / 4
R1 = (2 * PP) – Low
R2 = PP + (High – Low)
R3 = High + (2 * (PP – Low))
R4 = PP + ((High – Low) * 3)
S1 = (2 * PP) – High
S2 = PP – (High – Low)
S3 = Low – (2 * (High – PP))
S4 = PP – ((High – Low) * 3)
(Some systems use the next day’s Open instead of the Close price for PP.)
Method 3: Camarilla (support and resistance lines only)
R1 = Close + ((High – Low) * 1.1 / 12.0)
R2 = Close + ((High – Low) * 1.1 / 6.0)
R3 = Close + ((High – Low) * 1.1 / 4.0)
R4 = Close + ((High – Low) * 1.1 / 2.0)
S1 = Close - ((High – Low) * 1.1 / 12.0)
S2 = Close - ((High – Low) * 1.1 / 6.0)
S3 = Close - ((High – Low) * 1.1 / 4.0)
S4 = Close - ((High – Low) * 1.1 / 2.0)
Method 4: Demark
If today’s open > yesterday’s close:
X = High + (2 * Low) + Close
If today’s open < yesterday’s close:
X = (2 * High) + Low + Close
If today’s open = yesterday’s close:
X = High + Low + (2 * Close)
Then…
PP = X / 4
R1 = (X / 2) – Low
S1 = (X / 2) – High
As far as the strengths and weaknesses of any of the above methods… Google would be the best resource.
Also, the Support/Resistance lines can be hidden by setting “Support/Resistance Levels” to 0 in the settings. Midpoint lines can also be added by checking the appropriate checkbox.
Question 44
I just traded a Calendar spread and I would like to know is there a way to see the leg fills the spread?
Answer 44
Yes you can see the leg fills by right clicking on the fill in your order book click on details, then click on the Trade Legs tab.