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Depending on the shape and size of your restaurant, you may need a wireless access point (WAP) to properly run your recently purchased Toast hardware. This article details some best practices we recommend when installing and setting up these devices.
Note: Wireless access points require an Ethernet cable (Cat5e or Cat6), and must be connected to the Toast network via the provided Power over Ethernet (PoE) injector, Meraki Z3's PoE port (PoE injector not required), or a network switch with PoE ports (PoE injector not required). Check out the last section of this article for more information.
Your WAP will arrive pre-configured and set up specifically for your restaurant. If you believe your wireless access point is configured incorrectly, make note of the device's MAC address and contact Customer Care for help. Toast is your network monitor and will confirm whether or not your new WAP is online.
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Prepare to Install a Wireless Access Point
This video reviews the site requirements for wireless access points and Wi-Fi coverage in your restaurant, in order to support our Toast Go™ handheld devices.
- Evaluate your restaurant's coverage area, shape, and building/wall materials to estimate the required number wireless access points.
To figure out how many wireless access points are needed for your restaurant, you'll need to measure the coverage area, consider the shape of your floor plan, and note the types of building/wall materials that divide the space.
Without considering these factors, an estimate of the number of wireless access points you need will be rough. If you're looking for a benchmark to make a rough estimate however, you may approximate one access point per every 1,000 square feet.
Use the following information to generate an improved estimate count for your restaurant:
Coverage area: Knowing the area in square feet or meters is a good start. As mentioned above, a very rough estimate is approximately 1 access point for every 1,000 square feet. The assumptions for this number are below:
- Typical office or residential space
- Square or rectangle-shaped area
- Single floor area
- Drywall partitions or cubicles
- Basic internet and streaming requirements
Shape of the area: A better estimate requires knowing the shape of the area. If the area is an "L", "H" or "T" shaped floor plan, the indoor area may be the same size as the image displayed above but the access points most likely cannot be placed in a location that will be central to all users without the signal traversing multiple exterior or interior walls.
For these scenarios, the following recommendations can be used to generate a rough estimate per floor plan type:
- L Shape - multiply square footage estimate by 2
- T Shape - multiple square footage estimate by 3
- H Shape - multiply square footage estimate by 4
Building material: An even better estimate requires knowing the material type of each wall. If the internal wall material is brick, cement, or cinder block, the number of access points needed will increase. A rough estimate is approximately 1 access point every 800 square feet or 75 square meters. In most cases, the biggest issue isn't the access point signal reaching clients, but the low-power client signal getting back to the access point.
Note: Toast doesn't supply or support guest or personal Wi-Fi networks. Toast-approved devices should be the only devices on the network for optimal system performance.
- Install wireless access points on ceilings only.
Wireless access points should be installed on the ceiling of your restaurant. See the following images for an example of where this device should and should not be installed:
- The top of the wireless access point should never be blocked or facing away from the coverage area. The top of the wireless access point is where the antenna is located. This surface must always be facing the intended service area. Furthermore, the access point should never be obstructed by anything. This includes TVs, drop ceilings, signage, speakers, cameras, and more.
- The wireless access point should be at least 3 - 5 feet away from any other radio sources. Wireless access points are susceptible to interference from other devices that transmit radiofrequency. Interference causes wireless connectivity to become weak and unstable. Please make sure these devices are installed away from common radio sources such as:
- Televisions
- Radios
- Cordless Phones
- Microwave Ovens
- Other Wireless Access Points
- Power Transformers
- Automatic Door Openers
- Speakers
- Wireless Security Cameras
- Audio Amplifiers
- Disco Balls
The following is an example of a poorly placed wireless access point that was installed too close to a security camera:
PoE stands for Power over Ethernet and is used to power Unifi Access Points that are in the ceiling without the need for a power outline in the ceiling as well. In the diagram below, different configuration options are outlined. Notice the difference between a PoE switch and a PoE injector. The switch purchased with your Toast hardware is determined by the total number of Toast devices at your restaurant.
If you have multiple access points, you might have a 16-port PoE switch, for example (option 2). Or you might use PoE injectors and then connect them to a non-PoE switch and/or a Meraki router (this is for any other Meraki router other than a Z3) (option 3). On the other hand, if you only have one access point at your restaurant, you can connect it directly to your Meraki Z3 via port 5 and you don't need a PoE switch or PoE injector (option 1).
