VOLUME 21 - BULLETIN #204

TO:	ALL CLEARING MEMBERS
FROM:	BUSINESS SYSTEMS GROUP
DATE:	October 10, 2001
SUBJECT:	BOTCC Web-based Applications Available Through Customer Network

The Board Of Trade Clearing Corporation is in the process of implementing ACT 2.0, the 2^nd installment of a web based generic Allocation and Claim Transaction system. Version 2.0 is the continuation of a planned expansion of Clearing Corporation applications to web based technology which includes Pay/Collect, Datamart, Document Direct, and 3270 via the Internet. To enhance firm accessibility and performance of these applications, the Clearing Corporation:

Installed a proprietary customer network with expandable bandwidth and Developed an API (application program interface) that allows firms to customize and automate allocation and claim transactions.

As ACT 2.0 is accessible both on the Internet and through the Clearing Corporation’s customer network and with the volume of transactions expected to dramatically increase as new functionality is added, the method of system access by our clearing members was reviewed. It revealed that approximately 1% of our clearing members are accessing the ACT application through the customer network. The Clearing Corporation is concerned that as trade management functions migrate to ACT, system performance will erode significantly if firms continue to access the application on the Internet.

Firms who use the Customer Network to access BOTCC's web offerings will experience better bandwidth and quicker response time. The Customer Network is a closed network that is limited to the Clearing Corporation and its Member Firms. It is constantly monitored and the Clearing Corporation has full control of the bandwidth and performance. As a result, users will find the applications to be much more responsive.

To access BOTCC's web offerings through the Customer Network, firms will be required to add static routes to one or more routers on their network. The static route will direct traffic destined for the Clearing Corporation’s network to the interface of the router that the Clearing Corporation has deployed at each member firm's site.

For detailed technical information regarding IP Addressing, Ports, and DNS names, contact the Business Systems Group.

Should you have any questions, please call or e-mail one of the following Business Systems Analysts: