Your post looked like a very thorough presentation on bandwidth. I would like to offer one other (not very well known option) that works wonderfully and costs less than most other options.
I have a device called a Webramp which is essentially a router and a hub combined. I use a multi computer network for my trading and I believe in having system redundancy. I use three separate external 56K v90 modems driven by this "web ramp". This becomes a net server. The beauty is that I have three simultaneous 56K connections using three different ISP connections (two different ISPs-- I have two Earthlink accounts and one AT&T account). Truthfully I never achieve a 56K connection on any one modem, however it is common to have two connected at 49,600 and one at 52,000. The combined bandwidth is superior to ISDN and costs considerably less and is networkable for multiple computer setups. Additionally it provides me with the system redundancy in the event that one ISP gets overloaded or goes down momentarily. In terms of user friendliness, all I do is launch my browser and the device does the rest. I never worry about dropped internet connections, because the odds of all three ISP connections going down at the same time are nill. I also use two separate quote services (both have level 2) but they are provided by two separate quote vendors (one is S&P Comstock and one is PC Quote). I keep my order entry platform (RT3) running on a notebook computer and the modems, webramp and hub are on an UPS. Additionally, I have a modem connected to the notebook for backup in the event of extended power outages or for travel.
I know that this sounds as though it would be expensive, however I studied the options in some detail and have found this system to be very reliable and cost effective. To summarize I have these benefits:
1) Better bandwidth than ISDN.
2) Phone Line redundancy.
3) Modem redundancy.
4) ISP redundancy.
5) Internet routing redundancy (due to multiple ISPs).
6) Ability to network multiple computers to trading network -- currently I have 6 computers on the net sharing the ISP connections and don't notice any slowdown although typically I am running two quote feeds, continual research web browsing, trading, web radio, all at the same time.
7) Costs:
a) 3 phone lines (home) at $15 = $45 per month
b) 3 ISP accounts at $20 = $60 per month
c) One time cost of webramp $325
d) One time cost of USR/3-Com modems 3 @ $129 = $387 (although I believe these modems have come down to around $80 now)
I hope this provides a reasonable alternative to using cable modems where available (costs unknown-- not available where I live), ISDN $150 per month with only one line and no networking capabilities without buying additional hardware, satellite receiver systems are very expensive and have the same networking limitations. After looking (and trying) several options, I have gone this way. I've been trading this way for 18 months with NO problems (if you can imagine). To me this is a business and not a hobby so the redundancy is a big issue with me. If my system is down, I'm on unpaid leave. I believe that those of us who trade for a living need to purchase the equipment and backup systems to keep us in business over the long run. Hopefully this helps add another alternative to the menu.
BTW, great thread. I'm trying to work my way through as I just found it.
Matthew L. Jones |
