Performance Monitoring

Interactive Data 7ticks’ NOC (Network Operations Center) is located within our Chicago facility and is staffed by certified systems administrators and network engineers. We have developed a comprehensive system of real-time monitoring, utilizing thousands of non-invasive network probes that provide the metrics to analyze all aspects of a trading network, including exchange connectivity, latency, capacity utilization,  server and switch performance.

Interactive Data 7ticks employs the same tools used by the exchanges to monitor FIX (Financial Information eXchange) protocol messages. We have the ability to position non-intrusive optical taps at each segment along the network path to measure time-of-travel for FIX messages and to isolate and troubleshoot any potential issues. This premium monitoring service allows Interactive Data 7ticks the ability to diagnose the root cause of slowness and disconnects while providing an added layer of insight into network performance for direct market access.

Accurate and up-to-date documentation is a critical success factor for network deployments. Interactive Data 7ticks has taken the concept of maintaining this documentation to new levels. We employ dynamic network diagrams that provide real-time insight into networks, which include: auto-discovery of devices, bandwidth utilization and flow patterns, and pass-through of active device states with comprehensive alerts and performance statistics.

Interactive Data 7ticks has implemented the technology to measure time of travel for all orders sent across our networks via select trading platforms. These analytical tools allow us to constantly maintain high levels of performance throughput and reliability from order trigger to exchange match. This provides an invaluable source of accountability for the management of ISV application performance, trader expectations, and exchange related issues.

Interactive Data 7ticks offers SLAs (Service Level Agreements) to clients seeking high levels of availability, resiliency, and performance. Our systems provide real-time alerts in the event of an SLA breach, so that we may immediately address and monitor issues as they occur. End-of-month SLA reports provide valuable insight into the performance of client trading networks. To help ensure that we focus on delivering as promised, these reports are an objective source of accountability.

Interactive Data 7ticks knows that the key to a successful SLA is a successful partnership. In such a partnership, Interactive Data 7ticks maintains the network and makes recommendations for improvement. The client follows our best-practice recommendations and makes adequate ongoing investments into network resources to help ensure the desired capacity and performance thresholds.