Designing a high-availability data center environment capable of sustaining multiple failures (i.e., links, switches, modules, power), provides non-disruptive access to trading systems for traders and market data feeds. Fine-tuned routing protocol timers, in conjunction with optimized failover mechanisms can provide sub-second recovery from any failure.
Redundant data centers usually require a high-speed network connection between the data centers that can provide business continuity in case of a site failure. The sites must be between 100km-200km apart to allow for synchronous data replication. Usually the distance for synchronous data replication is 100km, but with Read/Write Acceleration it can stretch to 200km. A tertiary data center can be greater than 200km away, which would replicate data in an asynchronous fashion.
A robust server load balancing solution is required for order routing, algorithmic trading, risk analysis, and other services to offer continuous access to clients regardless of a server failure. Multiple servers encompass a "farm" and these hosts can be added/removed without disruption since they reside behind a virtual IP (VIP) address.
A global site load balancing solution provides remote traders the resiliency to access trading environments which are closer to their location. This minimizes latency for execution times since requests are always routed to the nearest venue.
Summary requirements for Trading Resiliency
- Fully scalable and redundant data centers
- Resilient server load balancing and high availability in analytic server farms
- Global site load balancing that provides the capability to continue participating in the market venues of closest proximity
