Many users do not realize that the NeuroShell Trader has the capability of automatically and without intervention building (and optimizing in the Pro) models for many different issues. All you have to do is define the model or optimization once for one issue and the Trader will then do the same thing for a whole series of issues while you eat, sleep, or go fishing.
The way this is done is to build your chart as usual, using indicators, predictions, and trading strategies. Then, using the menu item Add/Remove Chart Pages from the Edit menu, you select more issues for which you want to build the same type of model. Once they have been selected, the Trader will ask you if you want to apply your model to the newly chosen issues. Say yes and you are on your way.
Since models are kept in memory and virtual memory for speed, the number of issues you can process in this way may be limited by RAM, especially if you have a number of nets and walk-forwards (remember, each walk forward generates another net with weights and structure which must be saved.) So don’t use this batch processing with huge models unless you have a lot of RAM or you add only a few additional issues. For average models, 10 to 30 additional issues are reasonable.
Adding chart pages (i.e. adding new issues to batch process) is restricted to issues in the same category, e.g. continuous futures. However, you can easily change the categories of folders to bypass this restriction.
If you have several different charts (as opposed to different issues in the same chart) that you want to optimize all at once, there is no programmed way to do that in the Trader Pro currently. However, if you’re willing to go to the trouble, it is possible to run several copies of the Trader Pro at one time, each optimizing a different chart. It is possible, but not supported. Your computer will be saturated with processing, but you can start several going (let’s say 2 to 6) and let them run overnight.
To run several copies of the Trader Pro at once, you have to make several copies of Nstrader.exe. Name them Nstrader2.exe, Nstrader3.exe, etc. Start up the first copy, and load the first chart in it. Then minimize it, start the second copy, load the second chart, and minimize. Keep doing that until you get about 5 or 6 loaded (less if you have < 128 megs of RAM). Then you can go and modify the trading strategies one by one and start them optimizing. Once optimization starts, you can't minimize, but they can all run together in Window, and will probably even use different processors if you have more than one. All copies of the Trader will be using the same data directories, and other control files, so don't go changing anything while several copies are running; just let them optimize. Interactions can occur and cause a crash, which is why this is not a supported method. WARNING about running multiple copies of NeuroShell Trader at the same time
Running multiple NST instances with both copies receiving historical and/or realtime data from a data provider could cause instability and crashes in NST for which Ward Systems Group cannot provide support or assistance.
If you choose to use a 2nd instance of NST, then the best way to use the second instance is as a development or optimization tool using only charts with data saved in them. If the data already saved in the chart is used instead of reloading new data, calls to a data provider are never made by that instance, thereby avoiding possible unsupported conflicts and crashes.
Charts that are based upon ASCII, Metastock, CSI or WSG data files stored on the hard drive should also be more stable to run on multiple instances of NST.