VPS SPEC CHECKLIST FOR EA TRADING
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Complete one copy per candidate server. Measure from the server itself,
not from your home computer. Date every entry.

PROVIDER: ______________________   PLAN: ______________________   DATE: __________

1. WHAT THE EA NEEDS
   [ ] Strategy depends on speed (scalping, news, fast entries and exits)
   [ ] Strategy depends on uptime only (holds for hours or days)
   Typical trade holding time: ______   Trades per week: ______

2. SPECIFICATION
   Operating system (Windows Server or supported Windows version): ______
   RAM: ______ GB   Virtual CPUs: ______   System disk free: ______ GB
   Charts open in the terminal: ______   EAs running: ______
   Memory used over one week (typical / peak): ______ / ______
   Upgrade needed? [ ] yes  [ ] no   Reason: ______________________

3. LOCATION AND LATENCY
   Broker trade server name: ______________________
   Broker's stated server location: ______________________
   VPS data-centre location: ______________________
   Round trip to the trade server, in ms, measured on at least 7 days:
     Median: ______   Worst reading: ______   Readings at the London open: ______
   Spikes above 50 ms seen? [ ] yes  [ ] no   When: ______________________
   Latency acceptable for this strategy? [ ] yes  [ ] no

4. UPTIME AND RESTART
   Stated availability: ______ %   Service terms saved? [ ] yes
   Support response time (written): ______________________
   Terminal starts automatically after a server reboot? [ ] yes  [ ] no
   EA reloads and resumes after a forced restart? [ ] yes  [ ] no
   Date of restart test: ______   Result: ______________________
   Update window set outside trading hours? [ ] yes  [ ] no

5. TERMS OF ANY OFFER (free or discounted servers)
   Offer name and source: ______________________
   Condition (minimum balance, volume, or account type): ______________________
   Threshold measured over (period): ______   Applies to: [ ] this account  [ ] a group
   Account type required, and its spread and commission: ______________________
   What happens if the threshold is missed (notice or immediate stop): ______________________
   Terms saved with date? [ ] yes

6. TOTAL COST
   Server fee per month, USD: ______   Annual (x 12): ______
   Extra trading cost from a required account type, per year, USD: ______
   Total annual server-related cost, USD: ______
   Entered into the running-cost worksheet? [ ] yes

7. SECURITY AND ACCESS
   Strong, unique password for remote login? [ ] yes
   Two-factor option enabled? [ ] yes  [ ] not offered
   Login details kept out of email and shared documents? [ ] yes
   Users with access listed, and reviewed in the last 3 months? [ ] yes

8. DECISION
   Every row above answered, none left as "probably"? [ ] yes
   Latency result matches the strategy's need? [ ] yes
   Restart test passed on this server? [ ] yes
   Review date set (every 3 months, and on any broker or provider change): ______

Keep this checklist with your latency readings, the terms you saved and
your statements. Providers and brokers change their conditions, so save a
new copy whenever they do.