Cross-Connect

A cross-connect is a direct physical cable connection between two pieces of equipment within a data center. In trading, it connects a firm's server directly to the exchange's matching engine, bypassing public network switches and routers.

This setup provides the lowest possible latency and the highest level of security for order transmission. Cross-connects are the standard for high-frequency trading firms that require consistent and predictable performance.

By removing intermediary network hops, traders significantly reduce the risk of jitter and latency spikes that can occur on standard internet connections.