In this Article:
Toast Network Overview
Your Toast network (network managed by Toast) is created by connecting your Toast-provided Cisco Meraki router to your ISP (internet service provider) modem. Your Meraki router must be connected directly to your modem, not through an intermediate device. This ensures that the Toast POS is isolated on its own secured subnet.
As your Meraki router only has 4 ports for ethernet connections, it's common to then utilize a Toast network switch (TP Link switch, see them in Toast Shop) to provide an extension of available ports and organize your cables. Your Toast-provided devices then plug into the router or switch using ethernet cables. Some Toast network setups may include Wi-Fi access points or network switches that were purchased from Toast. Only devices purchased from Toast are authorized to be on your Toast-managed network. All unauthorized hard-wired devices must be connected to a different port on your ISP modem and cannot be attached to your Toast-provided Cisco Meraki router or Toast-provided network switch. If needed, check out this Toast Central article for more information: Forget a Network on a Toast Device.
Once a Meraki router has been issued to your restaurant, you're initially granted a 3-year Meraki cloud license. After 3 years, these licenses are renewed on a yearly basis and these annual fees are automatically charged.
Note: Restaurants are required to purchase new networking equipment when establishing a new Toast account. This could be a new restaurant opening, an existing restaurant that is new to Toast, or an existing Toast restaurant that is adding a new location.
Toast does not support repurposing, reusing, or transferring network equipment between previous Toast locations.
Watch this video and follow the steps in this article to set up your router and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.
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Meraki Router Details
The front side of your Meraki has an LED display that indicates the operational status of the router, and the back has 5 ethernet ports.
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Light Status
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Meraki
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Solid orange
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There is no connectivity.
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Changing colors
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Trying to establish internet connectivity.
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Blinking white
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Updating firmware and configuration from the Meraki cloud.
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Solid white
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The device is online with full internet connectivity.
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Below are examples of what your Meraki router devices might look like.
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Toast-Provided Cisco Meraki Routers
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Meraki Z3 Router
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Meraki MX64* and MX67 Router
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Meraki MX84* and MX85 Router
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Meraki MX95 Router
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*NOTE: Meraki MX64 and MX84 have since been replaced with their direct replacement.
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Meraki Router Installation Steps
- Using the provided Ethernet cable, connect one end into an open port on your cable modem (the box provided by your internet service provider) and the other end into the Internet port of the Meraki router.
- Plug in the Cisco Meraki router's power adapter, included in the box, then plug in the adapter into an outlet. The devices will automatically turn on when power is connected. The LED display will be solid orange as there is no internet connectivity currently. After about 30 seconds, the LED display should now be changing colors as it tries to establish internet connectivity through the cable modem.
- Once the LED display turns into a solid white, it means the Meraki router has established internet connectivity through the cable modem. It usually takes a few minutes for the Meraki router to connect to the internet, but in some instances, it can take up to an hour. The light on your Meraki might also continue to change colors during this time.
- Once the router is connected to the internet, it will display a solid white light on the LED display. If the router is changing colors or blinking white, it's still trying to connect. If the router is displaying a solid orange light, then there are connectivity issues and the connection needs troubleshooting. Toast recommends calling your internet service provider and verifying that you have the correct information for adding a new device. If the Meraki doesn't connect right away, there's something that may need to be configured on the internet service provider's side.
- Once the router is displaying the solid white light, connect all Ethernet lines (Cat5e or Cat6 cables) that run to the Toast devices into the LAN ports of the Meraki router. If you only have one Wireless Access Point (WAP), then you won't need to use the PoE (power over Ethernet) injector and you'll be able to connect it directly to the 5th port on the Meraki directly. Lastly, if you have more than 4 lines that need to connect to the router, utilize one of the switches provided in your Toast hardware order. You can connect the switch to one of the LAN ports and connect the remaining Ethernet cables to the switch. If you have more than one WAP, then you will need to use the PoE and connect it to the switch instead. Below is an example of a few possible network diagrams.
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Toast Network Diagram
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Toast Wireless Network Diagram
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