How to Load MetaTrader 4 on Your VPS
What Is Forex?
Forex (foreign exchange) is a global market where banks, companies and individuals buy and sell currencies.
If you have ever bought foreign currency before a trip abroad, you have already dealt with Forex, but for a practical purpose. On Forex, most participants trade currency pairs to make a profit. In the past, most trades were made manually; today, more and more trading is automated.
Why Use a VPS for Trading
A VPS (Virtual Private Server) is a virtual server that runs on the same physical machine as several other virtual servers. It does not have dedicated hardware, but it gives you:
- operation independent of other VPS on the same host;
- a guaranteed amount of disk space;
- a set amount of traffic per period, usually a month (or unlimited traffic);
- a guaranteed amount of RAM.
In short, a VPS is a cloud-based server that works around the clock.
Benefits of Trading from a VPS
- Trade from anywhere. When you trade from your own computer, you are tied to the place where it is. With a VPS, you just connect to the server and continue trading wherever you are.
- Reliability. A VPS runs in a data center with backup power and network connections, and a reliable provider guarantees high uptime, for example 99.99% at BlueVPS. You can add extra protection layers too.
- No downtime because of power outages. If your trading system works without constant monitoring, it keeps trading even when the power is off at your home. You can trade 24/7, even while you are away or asleep.
- Lower slippage. A VPS in a data center has a faster and more stable connection than a home computer, so orders reach the broker faster and slippage is lower, even if you do not use an automated trading system.
Location matters too: the closer your VPS is to the servers of your broker, the faster your orders are executed. Choose a VPS location as close as possible to your broker.
What Is MetaTrader?
MetaTrader is trading software that works as a bridge between your VPS and your broker. MetaQuotes now focuses on MetaTrader 5, but many brokers still offer MetaTrader 4. The steps below work for both versions.
How to Install MetaTrader 4 on Your VPS
Step 1. Get your VPS details
We assume you have already ordered a BlueVPS Windows VPS, for example a MT4/MT5 VPS. You should have received the login details and the IP address of the server by email.
Step 2. Open Remote Desktop Connection
Open the Remote Desktop Connection app: press Win + R, type mstsc and press Enter. On macOS, use the Windows App from the App Store. Enter the IP address of your VPS and the user name.
Step 3. Connect
Click Connect and enter your password. When the connection is established, you will see the desktop of your VPS.
Step 4. Download and install MetaTrader 4
Open the website of your broker in the browser on the VPS, download MetaTrader 4 and install it, following the instructions of the installer.
Step 5. Install your Expert Advisor
To copy your Expert Advisor files to the VPS, connect with access to your local disk. In Remote Desktop Connection, click Show Options and open the Local Resources tab. Under Local devices and resources, click More. Select Local Disk (C:) under Drives and click OK, then connect.
Now you can copy files between your computer and the server. Install your Expert Advisor in MetaTrader 4, attach it to the charts you need, and you are ready to trade.
How to Find Your VPS IP Address
- Log in to your client area at my.bluevps.com.
- Open the list of your services and click the server you need.
- The page with your server details opens. The IP address is listed in the server information section.