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Connecting Sierra Chart to Rithmic

Learn how to connect Sierra Chart to Rithmic with this easy guide.

Updated over a week ago

For updated instructions on how to connect Sierra Chart to Rithmic, please visit their connection guide.

Sierra Chart offers full support for the Rithmic trading platform, allowing access to the exchanges that Rithmic provides.

Steps for Setup

  1. Review the Market Data Policy
    Begin by reading the Rithmic Market Data and Support Policy to ensure you're familiar with their requirements and restrictions.

  2. Broker Support
    To use Rithmic with Sierra Chart, you’ll need an account with a broker or trading service that supports the Rithmic platform. Confirm with your broker that they provide Rithmic as an option.

  3. Obtain Credentials
    Your broker will supply the connection details needed to link Rithmic to Sierra Chart, including a username and password specific to your Rithmic account.

  4. Required Service Package
    Ensure you are subscribed to Service Package 10 or higher to access the Rithmic service through Sierra Chart.

  5. Account Identifier Length
    Double-check that your broker's account identifier is no longer than 31 characters. Any identifier exceeding this length will prevent correct functionality.

  6. Update Sierra Chart
    Update to the latest version of Sierra Chart by following the Fast Update Instructions. This is a crucial step to ensure compatibility with Rithmic.

  7. Set up in Sierra Chart
    In Sierra Chart, navigate to Global Settings > Data/Trade Service Settings.

  8. Choose Rithmic
    In the Main Settings tab, open the Current Selected Service drop-down list and select Rithmic Direct - DTC [Trading].

  9. Confirm and Close
    After selecting Rithmic, click OK to close the settings window. Wait 5-10 seconds for Sierra Chart to retrieve the server list from Rithmic.

  10. Reload Service Settings
    Reopen the Data/Trade Service Settings by selecting it again from the Global Settings menu. The list of servers should now be available in the Service Settings > Server list.

  11. Choose Your Server
    From the Server list, select the one your broker has provided. If the list is empty, try closing and reopening the settings window again. If the problem persists, wait for an hour and try once more as the Rithmic server may be unresponsive.

    • Servers labeled with "Paper Trading" are for simulation accounts, while others are for live trading.

  12. Enter Your Credentials
    In the Service Settings, input your Rithmic trading username and password. Be careful, as these fields are case-sensitive—enter them exactly as given by your broker.

  13. Market Data
    To receive market data, you will need the Denali Exchange Data Feed. Refer to the Rithmic Market Data and Support Policy for more information.

  14. Historical Data Settings
    Under the Common Settings tab, adjust the Maximum Number of Historical Intraday Days to Download according to your needs (generally, this should be set to 186).

  15. Adjust Intraday Storage
    In the same Common Settings tab, set the Intraday Data Storage Time Unit as required.

  16. Confirm Settings
    Click OK to finalize and close the Data/Trade Service Settings window.

  17. Connect to Servers
    To establish a connection, go to File > Connect to Data Feed.

  1. Error Handling
    If the Message Log window shows any error messages when attempting to connect, go to File > Disconnect to stop the connection attempts. Review the setup steps again, and retry connecting by selecting File > Connect to Data Feed. If the issue persists, consult the troubleshooting section below.

  2. Common Errors
    Some common Rithmic connection errors may appear in the Sierra Chart Message Log. For example:

  • "Permission Denied" errors can occur when your credentials or permissions are not set correctly. Follow the steps in the Permission Denied Resolution Procedure for more information.

  1. Open a Chart or Trading DOM
    To open a Historical Chart, Intraday Chart, or Trading DOM, select File > Find Symbol. Choose the desired symbol and press the relevant button to open it.

If the symbol you need is missing from the list, you can manually enter it by looking it up in the Rithmic R|Trader software. Symbols generally follow the format [symbol].[exchange].

  1. Update Symbol List
    If no symbols are listed in the Find Symbol window, go to Global Settings > Symbol Settings > Update From Server and wait for the list to refresh.

  2. Update Existing Chartbooks
    To update symbols in your existing chartbooks, go to Edit > Translate Symbols to Current Service in Sierra Chart.

  3. Market Data Issues
    If you experience market data issues and are not using the Denali Exchange Data Feed, consult the Rithmic Market Data and Support Policy for further information.

  4. EUREX Data
    If you need EUREX data, make sure to review the section on EUREX Historical and Real-time Data.

  5. Continue Setup
    For further setup guidance, refer to step 3 in the Getting Started documentation.


Exchange Traded Spreads and Strategies

Rithmic supports exchange-traded spreads and strategies. Follow these steps to set up an Intraday chart or Trading DOM for these:

  1. Locate the Symbol
    Use the Symbol Lookup feature in Rithmic’s R|Trader software to find the spread or strategy symbol you need.

  2. Enter the Symbol
    In Sierra Chart, select File > Find Symbol and input the spread/strategy symbol in the format [spread symbol].[exchange], e.g., NGH3-NGZ3.NYMEX.

  3. Open Chart or DOM
    Press Open Intraday Chart or Open Trading DOM to load the data.


Rithmic Symbol Format

Rithmic symbols generally follow this structure: [futures symbol].[exchange], e.g., ESM1.CME. You can look up these symbols through the R|Trader software provided by Rithmic. Contact your broker for more information.


Troubleshooting Frequent Reconnections

If you experience frequent disconnections and reconnections while using Rithmic data, non-standard symbols in your Sierra Chart setup could be causing the issue. Check your charts, watch lists, quote boards, and any other relevant lists for symbols not following the [symbol].[exchange] format and either correct or remove them.


Rithmic Market Data and Support Policy

It’s crucial to read the Rithmic Market Data and Support Policy when using Sierra Chart with Rithmic, particularly for market data. Issues such as frequent disconnections, slow data updates, and missing historical data are known with Rithmic. For a more reliable experience, Sierra Chart recommends using the Denali Exchange Data Feed. Sierra Chart does not provide technical support for problems with Rithmic market data or trading functionality.


Permission Denied Error

If you encounter a "Permission Denied" error, review your connection settings carefully. This error message typically indicates issues with username, password, or server settings. Follow these steps:

  • Ensure your Trading Username and Password are correct.

  • Check if the credentials are too long (greater than 31 characters).

  • Ensure you’ve signed all necessary agreements with Rithmic by logging into the R-Trader software.

DayTraders only offers limited support for platform related issues. If you experience any issues with your platform, please contact their platform support directly.

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