Technical Guidance Note
Pre-Technical Readiness Testing (TRT) Checklist
1. Background Information
This document has been written to support customers who are preparing for
their first Technical Readiness Test (TRT) over Extranex. The TRT allows
customers to test that their system can connect to the Exchange's network and
systems and allows confirmation of the customer enablement details.
Customers should aim to connect their hosts to the Extranex SAP over network
infrastructure “as production like” to that which will be used to connect to the
production service. This will enable the TRT to test that both the host and the
customer’s internal network infrastructure (such as intermediary routers or
firewalls) are configured correctly for accessing the Trading and Information
services.
If a customer will use resilience gateway devices to connect their host device to
the production services we would recommend that this configuration be used
during the TRT.
2. The Service Access Point (SAP)
The Ethernet port of a customers SAP will be configured for 100mbits/s Full
Duplex as default. If you require this to be either 10mbit/s or Half Duplex, 5
days notice is required to make the changes. Alternatively this can be
incorporated with the SAP installation if notice is given prior to the installation
date. Customers will experience intermittent message loss on the information
broadcast service and slow performance over the interactive services if the
interface is not configured correctly.
If a customer will use a gateway device to connect the Extranex SAP to the
internal network where the host device is located this information must be
provided to the Exchange prior to the TRT session being booked. This will
enable the SAP to be configured to route messages via the customer’s
gateway. The information should clearly state if a single or resilient gateway is
installed and should be provided once you have confirmed the details of the
enablement form.
It is important to note that Network Address Translation from the Exchanges
subnet host addresses to customers host addresses will need to be made on a
customer device i.e. the Firewall or Router
Prior to the first test session the ports on a SAP will be blocked. Therefore
network connectivity cannot be confirmed prior to a test session. This is
enabled on the day prior to the start of the TRT.
3. Pre-Testing Readiness
To ensure that customers are able to make the most of the testing services, the
processes detailed overleaf should each be completed in the order that is
presented.
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i. The network definition - TIS103
Customers should have studied the Network Specification – TIS103 as it
includes important information on the configuration and design of the
Exchanges network.
This provides live multicast addresses, subnet address allocation range and
physical aspects of the Extranex service.
Prior knowledge of this information is essential in order to allow a customer to
connect to the testing services.
ii. Confirm customer host addresses
It is important to identify whether the Interactive and Secure Interactive
Interfaces share the same host device and if they need to share the same IP
address.
iii. Confirm host enablements
You will only be able to receive services, which either your in-house software or
your Accredited Software Providers have conformed against.
You will not be able to pass a TRT if you have enablements for services that
your software has not conformed against. If this situation occurs you will have
to conform your software in your own right.
The services that your Independent Software Vendor (ISV) has conformed for
should be identified prior to any test sessions being booked, and can be found
on the Exchange website technical library.
iv. Confirm gateway addresses
If you have any gateway devices between the SAP and your hosts these will
need to be allocated to the appropriate IP address as detailed in TIS103 prior
to undertaking any testing.
The Exchange must be informed that a gateway device(s) is being used so that
the SAP can be correctly configured prior to the start of the TRT session. The
Exchange will need to know if a single or resilient gateway is being used – this
must be confirmed at the time of verifying the CEIF.
Any devices added after SAP installation will require 5 days notice to be
configured on the SAP.
v. Receive enablement forms
A Customer Enablement Information Form (CEIF) provides a single source of
configuration information for each system that connects to the Exchange.
A customer will be sent a CEIF once all relevant information has been received
for each individual service and system.
Each CEIF will be prefixed with a code that identifies the type of connection it is
enabled for. Please see overleaf for the different prefixes that will be used.
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Prefix
INF9
TRD8
TWS8
VAC8
VAP8
TBK9
TBK8
Description
Live Information
Live Trading
Trading Workstation
Vendor Access Customer Trading
Vendor Access Provider Trading
Test Booking Information
Test Booking Trading
vi. Confirm enablement forms
It is important to check the enablement form as changes may take up to 5 days
to resolve and may hamper successful completion of test sessions.
A test booking will not be possible until the customer has verified and confirmed
each CEIF, has provided the Customer Gateway information and the Ethernet
Port Configuration information.
vii. Confirm TRT bookings
Test bookings, whether for Conformance or TRT, require 5 days notice and can
be booked via the Live Service Help Desk on 020 7797 3100 on Option 2.
A customer can book a maximum of 4 sessions per enablement at any one
time and each session is subject to availability. A session can consist of a
Trading or Information enablement or both.
4. Troubleshooting Guide
The following are some initial checks that should be made prior to a TRT.
General Issues


Please be aware of testing start times (08:00 and 14:00), and be ready
to connect 15 minutes before testing.
Confirm that the Customer Enablement Information form (CEIF) is
available prior to and during testing.
Network Issues



Confirm that the Default Gateway to the Exchange SAP is correctly
configured. For Conformance and CDS testing on a resilient SAP this
should be set to .61 (test router). For Conformance and CDS testing on
a dedicated Test SAP this should be .62. Any other configuration for
testing (e.g. .59, .60 are commonly found) is incorrect.
Confirm that the Enablement IP address is set up correctly, as per the
CEIF, prior to testing.
Confirm that for broadcast data, correct IP addresses and Port numbers
are configured for all subscribed groups on the CEIF.
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Application Issues




Be aware of the content and length of the First Eyecatcher for IP
messages sent to the Exchange.
Be aware of the specific message field lengths and content for Orders
and Trades, this can be found in the Data Formats (TIS104 Issue 9)
document.
Confirm that the correct KEKs are being used for testing. Customers
using the same USAP for IP as X25 are able to use the same KEK’s.
Customers requesting new USAPS will be issued with new KEK’s
Please be fully aware of the latest versions of the Interface Specification
(TIS102 Issue 9), Test Scripts (STS Documentation Issue 7) and Data
Formats (TIS104 Issue 9) documentation.
The customer should also have copies available for reference during the
test. This information is available on the Exchanges website:
www.londonstockexchange.com
If you are aware of problems that may prevent testing during a session, please
inform the Customer Test Team prior to the test.
5. The TRT Schedule
The table below illustrates the order of events that will be carried out during a
Technical Readiness Test:
Customer
Exchange
B/C
Customer
Exchange
IRI & S/I
Customer
B/C, IRI & S/I
Exchange
Customer
Exchange
IRI & S/I
Customer
B/C
Exchange
Connects to relevant broadcast services
Confirm with customer they are connected to
all relevant BDG's and receiving Idle Polls on
all except SOD BDGs
Logs on to interactive
Warn customer before SOD downloads are
disseminated
Begin sending data
Confirm correct final message sequence
numbers
Warn customer before high volume begins
Begin sending data
Check that no re-requests have been made
Confirm correct final message sequence
numbers
Logs off and disconnects from interactive
and broadcast
Logs customer on
Initiates a log on to interactive
Check E146A - 'USAP already logged on'
error code
Initiates a log off and disconnects from
broadcast groups
Disconnect connection
Suspend customer USAP
Ensure that the customer is disconnected
from all his broadcast groups
(continued overleaf)
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Customer
B/C, IRI & S/I
Exchange
Customer
B/C, IRI & S/I
Exchange
Customer
S/I
Connects to broadcast and attempts to
logon to interactive
Check E147A - 'USAP is not authorised to
logon' error
Unsuspend customer USAP
Logs on to interactive and B/C lines, and
re-requests missed data
Check range re-requested from idle polls
Confirm correct final message sequence
numbers
Warn customer lines will be blocked
Lines are blocked - customer is disconnected
Lines are unblocked - customer automatically
reconnects, and re-requests missed data
Send MAC’ced message
6. Customer Support
The Client Technology Group will provide technical support during the transition
to Extranex through the following:

The Technical Information Desk - Tel: 020 7797 3939, STX 33939

E-mail Client Technology Group at ctg@londonstockexchange.com

Technical queries may also be raised directly through your Technical
Account Manager/Adviser

Customer Testing can be contacted on 020 7797 3100 on Option 2.
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