First, we�d like to say, thank you for working with CME on this project.  We have had a very positive response to this initiative.  All our clearing firms participating in the project have been very cooperative.   We are ready to begin the next phase of migrating customers to the consolidated network with the connectivity option each customer has chosen.  To accommodate our customers, we have extended our deadline from the end of April into mid-May.  However, we must meet this new deadline!  Mandatory testing to the RDC is planned to start in late May and all firms MUST verify their access for clearing related processing at this location.  We have been directed by our senior management that this timeframe cannot be extended beyond May 16th.   In order to ensure that the process goes smoothly, there are several steps that both the firms and CME need to complete.  Clearing firms fall into one of two categories:

       Group 1.  Migrating clearing data from a FIN connection on to an EXISTING GLOBEX^� connection.  (This includes upgraded or downgraded connections as well.)

       Group 2.  Migrating clearing data from a FIN connection on to a new GLOBEX AT&T connection. (This includes existing connections that are not currently used for production trading/order routing.)

When Will Migrations Take Place?

We have already migrated the first firm and will now continue with the rest starting March 14^th through May 16^th. Group 1 firms will be migrated on Friday late afternoons, from 3:30 � 5:30pm (CST) Chicago time.  This is after GLOBEX trading and order routing should be completed for your firm.  If your firm falls into Group 2, we would like to schedule your migrations on Wednesdays at 6:30 to 8:00 am or 3:30 to 5:00 pm (CST) Chicago time.   For both groups, you will need to briefly interrupt any clearing related processing,  (3270, FTP, MQM, VPS) during this migration.  If preparation is done properly, the entire process should not take more than 45 minutes to 1 hour.

In advance of your migration, you must participate in a scheduled conference call with CME Migration Team staff to review IP addressing issues and application testing.  Staff will review your network diagram and discuss IP addressing for each clearing application process (that requires its own IP address).  If you have not arranged your call or submitted your diagram, please do so ASAP. Your migration process cannot move forward without it!  Conference call time slots are Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 -11:00 am (CST) Chicago time.

       Group 1 Firms - All IP addressing issues must be resolved no later than the Monday prior to the Friday you are scheduled to migrate.  We are scheduling migration dates for Group 1 firms, now.  Please contact Client Management staff listed at the end of this memo to schedule your tentative date.  We can only execute 2 migrations each Friday, so firms need to contact us now to request their dates.

       Group 2 Firms - All IP addressing issues must be resolved no later than 4 days prior to your scheduled migration date.   Since you have ordered new circuits, you want to confirm with the GLOBEX Services group that your circuits and new router are installed and ready for connection to your network and clearing processors.

What�s Next?

       Contact Client Management to schedule a Wednesday or Friday migration date within the next week.  Available dates are March 14 thru May 16^th.  (Please note that due to the April 18^th � Good Friday holiday we will execute migrations on Thursday, April 17^th).  For Group 2 firms, additional days may be added in order to ensure that we complete your migration within our timeframe.

       If your firm does not contact us to request a migration date by March 21st, we will assign a migration date for your firm.  You will be notified via e-mail.  Firms that are migrating to new circuits should confirm their target installation date and factor in enough time for completion of that process.

       Complete a NCP-Migration Information form.  This form will be sent to your firm when you contact Client Management to reserve a migration date.  It will include IP address information for the CME Chicago and RDC locations, as well as, instructions related to the migration day process.  Attached is a copy of our Network Diagram for your review.

       Following your successful migration to the AT&T network, firms SHOULD NOT disconnect their FIN router or any of the FIN circuits, until directed by CME network staff.  Disconnects will be completed 1-2 weeks following your migration.

What about my ISDN Only DR Sites?

Many firms have back-up sites with ISDN and POTS connections via the FIN.  The new consolidated network will not support these �ISDN Only� types of connections.  This has been discussed in firm conference calls.  Your firm will have to either migrate this FIN back-up connection into an existing GLOBEX AT&T circuit, (most are selecting this option), or order another AT&T connection.  All firms with existing ISDN FIN sites will be contacted directly, if they have not already provided us with their selection for clearing back-up/DR access.

Summary of Critical Dates:

�        Deadline to Schedule Migration Date:  March 21st

�        Dates for Migrations:  Wednesdays (Group2) or Fridays (Group1) March 14^th through May 16^th.

�        No extensions will be given beyond May 16^th.

Are you Sure you Can�t Print for Us at the RDC?

As discussed in our January seminars, the RDC will not be able to support printing reports for clearing firms, other than providing ONE Trade Register Report.  Therefore, make certain that prior to the RDC testing in late May-early June, that your operations staff has determined what print queue, print server or IP printer that you want the CME to send reports to, if we must send them from our RDC site.

Staff Resources

For any questions concerning your circuit profile, current circuit utilization levels for the FIN or GLOBEX, and to schedule your migration date contact:

Thank you!