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CrossTrade VPS

CrossTrade VPS is Windows Server hosting built for running NinjaTrader and other trading tools 24/7 in the cloud. You get a dedicated server you access via Remote Desktop (RDP), so your strategies keep running even when your local machine is off. This FAQ covers connection, sizing, pricing, multi-user access, and common operational questions.

Do I need a VPS to run NinjaTrader?​

Not necessarily. For regular (non-automated, non-high-frequency) trading, running NT locally is usually fine. A VPS becomes valuable when you need 24/7 uptime for automated strategies, when you travel, or when your local hardware struggles with NT8's resource demands. CrossTrade does not push users into a VPS unless there's a real need for it.

How do I access my VPS?​

Your VPS lives in the cloud and is accessed with any Remote Desktop (RDP) client. Credentials (IP address, username, password) are on the VPS page in your CrossTrade dashboard:

https://app.crosstrade.io/user/vps

A step-by-step connection guide is available here:

https://crosstrade.io/docs/getting-started/vps-connection-guide

RDP works from Windows, Mac, or mobile — if your client device has an RDP app, you can log into the VPS.

Is the VPS dedicated to me?​

Yes. The server is yours and you have full administrative control over it. You can install software, change settings, modify firewall rules, add users, and reconfigure Windows as you would on any machine you own.

How do I change the VPS password?​

The password shown on the dashboard is a default we provide so you can first log in. Once inside the VPS, change it like any Windows machine:

Windows button > Search > change password

After you change it, not even CrossTrade can access the machine. You should also change the default password for security — CrossTrade technically knows the initial one since we assign it.

What Windows version do the VPS servers run?​

Windows Server 2025. These builds are well-hardened out of the box, so you do not need a separate antivirus beyond Microsoft Defender. A VPN is not recommended either — it will only choke bandwidth to and from the server.

How quickly is the VPS available after purchase?​

Smaller VPS sizes are pre-provisioned and available almost instantly after purchase. The X-Large VPS takes longer because it uses an entire rack and is a custom build — you'll receive an email as soon as it's ready.

If you see existing "uptime" or disk usage on a brand new VPS, that's just the general uptime/usage since the server completed provisioning (CrossTrade pre-provisions so servers are ready to hand off immediately).

Can I use a VPS purchased on Mac?​

Yes. A VPS lives in the cloud, so all you need is a Remote Desktop client on your Mac to connect to it. The host OS on your local device doesn't matter.

Can I log into my VPS from multiple devices?​

You can install the RDP client on as many devices as you want (laptop, desktop, phone), but by default Windows Server 2025 allows only 2 concurrent RDP sessions. Connecting from a different device generally replaces the current session.

If you need more simultaneous users, you have admin access to raise the RDP concurrent-connection limit and add Windows user accounts. CrossTrade does not impose artificial limits on monitors or connected users — capacity is bounded by the server's CPU and RAM.

Can I run CrossTrade on my VPS instead of my local PC?​

Yes. A single CrossTrade license can be moved to the VPS — you just can't have the add-on running in two places at once. Running two copies (e.g., local and VPS both connected to the same feed) causes it to oscillate between connected and disconnected states.

Can I shut down the VPS to save resources?​

You can, but there's no need — VPS are meant to run continuously. The Dashboard exposes a Reboot button that handles both Start and Restart depending on the current state. If the VPS is off, clicking Reboot powers it on.

Can I reset or rebuild my VPS?​

Yes. You can reboot from the Dashboard. If you need a full OS reinstall, use the "Rebuild" button on the VPS Dashboard — this wipes the server completely and reinstalls the OS. All data is lost, so back up anything important first.

If your VPS is decommissioned (e.g., subscription lapses), CrossTrade cannot recover the data. You're welcome to repurchase the same size, but the old contents are gone.

Can you clone my VPS or migrate my data for me?​

No. CrossTrade cannot clone a user's VPS image onto another server, and the team cannot perform data transfers on your behalf. Support can guide you through a migration, but the work happens through your admin access to the VPS.

Can I upgrade to a bigger VPS later?​

Yes. You can upgrade to a new server class at any time. The upgrade requires a restart post-purchase, which happens immediately.

How fast is the network on the X-Large VPS?​

The X-Large burst rate is up to 10 Gbps when the pipe is not starved.

Can I move files to and from the VPS?​

Yes. Port 22 is not blocked on any of the servers, so file transfers work freely. For private communication between multiple publicly accessible machines, the infrastructure team suggests using Tailscale.

What about VPS pricing and the affiliate program?​

VPS are not currently included in the CrossTrade affiliate program because they're a new product at launch pricing. Once the launch sale ends, they'll be made available to affiliates at the standard (higher) prices. VPS Small has been the most popular size, and CrossTrade plans to keep launch pricing available while capacity is being expanded.

My VPS feels slow — what should I check?​

"Slow" usually traces back to one of three things:

  1. Your local internet or RDP client — the perceived speed of the remote desktop depends heavily on your home connection. CrossTrade can verify the server's hardware is healthy, but latency inside the RDP session itself is driven by your local network.
  2. CPU-heavy apps running together — tools like NinjaTrader, Claude Code/Claude Desktop, and trade-copy bots are all CPU-intensive. Running all three on a small VPS will push sustained CPU usage past 60% with 85%+ peaks, which feels sluggish. VPS cores behave differently from a desktop's single-thread clocks, so comparing them 1:1 is misleading.
  3. Disk fill / modified partitions — if the primary partition has been shrunk or filled (e.g., the VPS Medium ships with a 160 GB disk), NinjaTrader will start throwing errors like "free up storage space." Check C: free space if NT is misbehaving.

Close anything you're not actively using, disable background Windows updates and antivirus scans, and consider a larger VPS class if sustained CPU usage stays high.

My NinjaTrader keeps getting "ATI interface disabled" — what do I do?​

Enable the Automated Trading Interface inside NT8:

Tools > Options > Automated Trading Interface
Check the box for AT Interface

Then restart NT8 and log back in. If the message keeps locking the VPS after enabling ATI, the issue is likely your local RDP client freezing rather than the VPS itself — try reconnecting from a different device or client to confirm.

For smooth operation, run NT8 without charts where possible, do daily restarts, and periodically repair/reset the database. There's a full optimization guide in the CrossTrade docs. Treat Windows Updates like on any machine — restart after updates and turn off auto-updating in Windows settings to avoid surprise reboots.

I bought a cheap VPS elsewhere and it's unstable. Is that the problem?​

Very likely. Low-cost VPS providers often run 10–15 year old hardware that simply isn't powerful enough to run NT8 reliably. That underpowered hardware — not your trading setup — is usually the source of constant disconnects and freezes.