Best hardware setup for AEB Implementation and Development?

Question

Hi

I'm slowly getting my head round Linux, MySQL, Perl, and the BF API, and have got my Smartform updates automated and a few API calls working OK.

So I hope to get the mechanics of AEB working in the near future but the "secret sauce" of creating my own oddslines is the next hurdle.

I have bought a basic Dell PC and installed Linux, MySQL and Smartform to run my automated betting Implementation, I anticipate running up to 20-30 systems in parallel (using a different Linux User account and file structure for each) and for this machine to remain powered on 24/7.

I also hope to upgrade my main (Windows) PC to do my system testing and data mining.  This machine also gets automated Smartform updates.

But I'm not sure if that's the right approach. The Implementation PC may also need some pretty hefty processing power to look at each morning's declared runners and test them against each of my live system models - presumably using MySQL queries. Alternatively I could use my Development machine to do that task, and email or pipe the resulting selections over to the Implementation machine - but that sounds a bit complex and fragile.

So perhaps I should just have one high-spec Linux PC to do all my Implementation and System Development - with the risk of all my eggs in one basket. What do you think?

Many thanks

Simon

Answer 1

Hi Simon,

It all depends on how much backtesting you want to do.   The only downside I can foresee of having the testing running on your production machine (ie. Linux box) is that processing slows down the the execution of any of the live systems.  This is highly unlikely on a powerful Linux multicore box.  Also, there is a window of non-racing activity between at least 10 pm (usually 6) and noon the next day for heavy number crunching.  Connect over your LAN to the powerful box (with a laptop or whatever device) to run some of the number crunching / system testing via a virtual terminal, for ease of access.

The one important caveat to the above (ie running everything on one powerful machine) is of course to perform regular backups and test regularly that you can easily restore all your files and programs from whatever backup media you are using.