How to sync PC time with CME Globex time

mmm · Apr 28, 2004

Hello,

I use Tardis to set my PC's time as per various internet based Atomic clocks. (see http://www.kaska.demon.co.uk/tardis.htm for more info on Tardis).

Does the CME have a network time synchornization service that I can access via a program like Tardis?

Thanks.

-- MMM

agrau · May 19, 2004

take a look at www.ntp.org

mmm · May 19, 2004

I belive the Tardis program uses the NTP protocol for time setting.

What's needed however is a CME server to provide the time signal. Anyone know of such a server?

-- MMM

ArchAngel · May 19, 2004

The CME servers at least used to be periodically synched to the national atomic clocks, so synching your PC similarly should get you a match within about a second.

How much closer than that do you practically need?

Doubt the CME bothers to externalize an NTP server for the handful or less people who are trying to match their PC's clock to their servers to the nanosecond.

mmm · May 19, 2004

Sometimes I close out my position right before the market closes.

As I don't know how "off" my clock my be, I usually close it off 30 seconds or more before my PC's time's close, just to be sure.

If I had a better grip on the time, I'd cut it a little closer.

-- MMM

agrau · May 20, 2004

I doubt the CME server will ever differ significantly from "official" time, so you'll be aligned to CME within milliseconds range if you pick ntp time. I wouldn't be surprised if CME uses ntp itself - why have one dedicated link to a atomic clock if you can have near-failsafe links to a hundred?

On www.ntp.org you'll find links to dos/windows programs to use ntp, no need to pay for Tardis. The program will set your computer's time to net time.

Could you shed some light on your strategy? Not the details of course, but just so much I understand what makes it so very important to enter as last to the order queue.

Best,
agrau

agrau · May 20, 2004

Quote from ArchAngel:

Doubt the CME bothers to externalize an NTP server for the handful or less people who are trying to match their PC's clock to their servers to the nanosecond.

Especially because 1 server is not sufficient to synchronize time to the nanosecond. One needs at least two servers to detect the runtime differences for transmission on the net. Same principle as with GPS here.

mmm · May 20, 2004

Quote from agrau:

Could you shed some light on your strategy? Not the details of course, but just so much I understand what makes it so very important to enter as last to the order queue.

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Nothing really fancy. On occasion I have a good trade, such as catching a trend up day at the low, and the market looks like it's closing on it's high, and I'm trying to eke out as much as possible from the trade before exiting.

-- MMM

agrau · May 20, 2004

Ok! Makes sense, thanks!

ArchAngel · May 20, 2004

Quote from mmm:
Nothing really fancy. On occasion I have a good trade, such as catching a trend up day at the low, and the market looks like it's closing on it's high, and I'm trying to eke out as much as possible from the trade before exiting.

Can your broker do reliable market on close orders for you rather than you're trying to "eBay" your exit?