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 and meets PCI compliance standards (Learn more: PCI Compliance Overview).
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: Remove Unauthorized Hard-Wired Devices from Your Toast Network.
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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- Confirm you have the internet port of the Meraki connected to your ISP modem. When plugged into this port, the router will light up with cycling rainbow colors as it gets connected, and eventually stabilize to a solid white light.
- If you still don't see a solid white light or cycling of rainbow colors, then try a different ethernet cable and wait a few minutes for the Meraki to reconnect.
- Unplug your devices and plug them back in. You can power cycle the ISP modem and the Meraki by disconnecting the power cable from the device for a minute or two and reconnecting it. Wait for the status light to cycle through rainbow colors.
- If you're still unable to get either a solid white light or cycling of rainbow colors, then call your internet service provider (ISP) and confirm whether you have a Static IP or DHCP. Your Meraki should be able to connect if you have DHCP, so if you are unable to establish a connection, then your ISP may be able to advise here. If you have a Static IP you will want to contact Customer Care or your Onboarding Consultant with this information for further troubleshooting.
If these steps did not help resolve the issue, reach out to your Onboarding Consultant or Toast Customer Care to speak to a Networking Specialist for further assistance.
Note: If your restaurant is frequently experiencing network disconnections or network interruptions from your ISP (internet service provider), cellular failover options can be used. Please consult your own IT team regarding failover options that are compatible with your Cisco Meraki router and continue to utilize Toast in Offline Mode.
Check out our article regarding Offline Mode: Using Toast During an Internet Service Provider (ISP) Outage for more information.
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