MetaQuotes has today announced an update to its MetaTrader 5 platform which centers around the introduction of a new virtual hosting service.
A virtual server for a trading account can now be rented directly from the client terminal in order to provide a consistent connection to the trading server, thereofore uninterrupted computer operation for Expert Advisors and copy trading is now even easier.
Virtual servers are hosted by MetaQuotes’ partner companies, bringing the MetaTrader 5 platform into line with the ubiquitous MetaTrader 4 platform, to which the virtual hosting service was introduced via Build 735 in October 2014.
As in MetaTrader 4, the Virtual Hosting Wizard window appears within MetaTrader 5. This shows how the virtual hosting network works. The process of obtaining a virtual server consists of some initial steps. First, traders will find out how to prepare for migration before being required to select the nearest virtual server with minimal network latency to a broker’s trade server.
Traders can choose 1 day of free hosting provided to each registered MQL5.community user or select one of the offered service plans. Finally, traders should select the data migration mode depending on objectives:
Complete migration is necessary if a trader wants to simultaneously launch Expert Advisors/indicators and trade copying;
Only Expert Advisors and indicators, if subscription to Signals is not required;
Only trade copying – only Signal copying settings (no charts or programs) are moved.
After selecting the migration mode, clients can launch the virtual server immediately by clicking “Migrate now” or do that later at any time.
Preparing for Migration
Before launching the virtual terminal, traders should prepare an active environment for it – charts, launched indicators and Expert Advisors, Signal copying parameters and the terminal settings.
Charts and Market Watch:ide all unnecessary trading instruments from the Market Watch to reduce the traffic. Close unnecessary charts. In the terminal settings, specify the required value of “Max. bars in the window “- the terminal should be restarted after that.
Indicators and Expert Advisors: Attach the required EAs and indicators to the required charts. Products purchased on the Market and launched on the chart are also moved during migration. They remain completely functional, and the number of available activations is not decreased. All external parameters of indicators and Expert Advisors should be set correctly.
Email, FTP and Signals : If an Expert Advisor is to send emails, upload data via FTP or copy Signal trades, make sure to specify all necessary settings. Set correct login and password of your MQL5.community account on the Community tab. This is necessary for Signal copying.
Permission to trade and copy signals The automated trading is always allowed in the virtual terminal. To work with the signals, set copying parameters in the Signals section.
WebRequest – If a program that is to operate in the virtual terminal uses the WebReqest() function for sending HTTP requests, you should set permission and list all trusted URLs on the Expert Advisors tab.
Migration
Migration is transferring the current active environment from the client terminal to the virtual one.
Migration is performed during each synchronization of the client terminal. Synchronization is always a one-direction process – the client terminal’s environment is moved to the virtual terminal but never vice versa. The virtual terminal status can be monitored via requesting the terminal’s and Expert Advisors’ logs as well as virtual server’s monitoring data.
For the official announcement from MetaQuotes, click here.