In this article we are going to go down to earth something that is usually done in a very technical way. My goal with this post is for you to understand what a VPS is and how it can help you in your trading. It can even help you outside of trading. Pay attention
1. What is a VPS?
In other articles I have told you how important constant execution is, how to apply trading systems accurately…
Well here the VPS can help you.
A VPS is a virtual server (hence the acronym ‘Virtual Private Service’) that works just like a real server.
Put simply, it is as if you have a cloud computer (Think Dropbox.) When you hire a VPS you can connect with an icon from your computer to that other ‘cloud computer’.
And like any PC, you can configure the operating system you want, the power and the characteristics of your equipment. And of course, depending on this, it will also be the price you will pay for the service.
2. VPS for trading?
This is very good, you will think. But what does this have to do with trading?
Well, you’ll see, when you hire a VPS you heal in health. If, for example, there is a power or Internet outage, your operations will not suffer. The server acts independently, so you avoid some unforeseen events that, although they may seem distant now, happen.
offers you a greater security and flexibilityyou can connect from anywhere in the world for a few euros per month.
Now less with all this that is happening, but I like to have periods of time where I disconnect and take the opportunity to travel. If I leave my laptop or home PC on with the systems running, I won’t be comfortable at all.
And if it restarts? A blackout and then I can’t turn it on? Now I travel with my laptop. If I want to see something specific, I connect from it to the VPS, while I check with my mobile that everything is OK. Peace of mind, don’t forget.
3. But how does a VPS work?
When you contract a virtual server already has all the necessary resources which are assigned within a much larger, robust and powerful physical server.
The physical server is divided into several virtual partitions that are assigned to multiple users, however, each of them is configured to work separately. Although different users will have access to the physical server, you will have complete and absolute control over the resources that are assigned to you in this virtual partition.
4. How to access or connect to your server
Once you set up and purchase your server (now I will tell you some factors for it), you will be assigned an IP address, username and password to access it.
From your laptop or PC (in my case with a Windows environment), you can enter the VPS using the application “Remote Desktop Connection” found in the Start menu. Enter the username and password previously given to you by the company where you have hired it to log in.
Done, welcome to the desktop environment of your PC in the cloud with the same functionalities as your computer. From your virtual desktop, you can download and install the trading platforms you need and get up and running.
Oh, you can also access your VPS through MAC OS, iOS and Android systems.
5. What factors should you take into account when selecting a VPS?
The VPS offer that you will find on the internet is quite wide, you can choose from VPS to host your website to a specific VPS for your Metatrader account, for example.
Although trading or Forex VPS are more specific and are usually optimized for this, they often have quite high prices and unless you are going to do something super specific, you will not find much difference with one that works well in general. In fact, I’ll tell you now, but I’ve been using one of these for years and I’m happy.
Many people obsess over latency, spend a bundle, and then swing trade and it hardly affects their trading. The same happens with the location of the VPS. Choosing a VPS that is close to your broker’s server is important if nanoseconds matter to you. In the vast majority, this is not the case.
My advice here is clear, hire a server with the specifications with which you would buy your computer to trade.
As for the price, it is another important factor to assess when choosing. Remember that the most expensive is not always the best, make sure to achieve a balance between the price and the requirements you need. In the case of Metatrader (one or two installed platforms), at least one CPU, 1 GB of RAM and at least 25 GB of hard disk are usually sufficient.
6. Advantages of using a VPS for Forex.
I have already told you about the good of using a server and basically the reasons why I myself have been doing it for years. But just in case, here is a checklist:
- It runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- It doesn’t affect you if the light goes out.
- Faster and more accurate connection and execution speed.
- You don’t have to worry about keeping your PC always on (this also saves electricity).
- You can access the VPS from any place or device.
If you do algorithmic or automated trading the VPS is going to be one of your indispensable tools. For me you have been for years. If you are just starting out and have little money, you can start by testing and leaving your computer on, but as you get serious about it, I recommend getting one.
7. What is the best VPS for Forex?
Since I began to be interested in contracting a VPS, I have tried several, including the free version of Amazon. From my point of view, very limited.
To this day, although I know that there are very good and specialized ones like those of Beeks, for quality-price I prefer Contabo.
Here You can see the different options they have so you can compare specifications and prices.
Remember that maybe this is the best VPS for me, it doesn’t have to be the best for you. This is just a “Hey, check this out, you might still be interested.”
Regarding the operating system, you can choose between different versions of Linux or Windows Server 2012 (this is the one I use).
It offers technical support 365 days a year, by phone or email. In addition, they have tutorials on everything you need to know to configure your server, although the information is in English.
8. The last one, shared or dedicated server?
When you go to hire a server, you will see that There are different types and you can get a shared (cheaper) or dedicated one.
As its name already says, in one you share resources, so they cannot guarantee that you will get all the power out of it, because it also depends on your server ‘colleagues’. This does not happen in the dedicated one, it is all for you, that is why it is more expensive.
Well, in this case I have a shared server (VPS) to execute the strategies because this is enough for me. I recently got a dedicated one for the creation and search of strategies, but you can replace this with your computer if you prefer.
The most important thing is the execution. Design your environment, maybe all this can help you. If so, I appreciate you sharing so this all makes sense.
Any questions, I’ll read you in comments.
Big hug and thanks for reading.