Our networking glossary defines key terms used in this article and throughout our help center. Click a toggle to view the terms within that letter group sorted alphabetically from A to Z.
A to E
Access point:
The network hardware that extends Wi-Fi signal coverage to areas not reached by the main wireless router. Access points typically cover about 100 m2 (1000 ft2). Add new access points or move existing ones to increase signal coverage if your RSSI doesn’t meet our internet connectivity requirements.
Cabling:
The physical wires and cables used to connect network hardware, typically referring to Ethernet cables in a network setup.
Cat 5e:
A category of Ethernet cable capable of supporting speeds up to 1 Gbps. This is the minimum requirement for network cabling in your Lightspeed Restaurant system, but you can also use newer variants like Cat 6.
dBm:
Decibel milliwatts, a unit of measurement for RSSI (the Wi-Fi signal strength). Values closer to 0 indicate a stronger signal. Lightspeed Restaurant requires that POS devices maintain an RSSI greater than -67 dBm.
DHCP:
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, a network protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses and other configuration settings to devices on a network. We recommend setting up DHCP reservations for LAN printers and payment terminals to ensure they always receive the same IP address.
DHCP reservation:
A router feature that assigns a fixed local IP address to specific devices. This ensures devices always get the same IP from the router, meaning you won’t need to update the IP address in Lightspeed Restaurant after initially entering it. We recommend setting up DHCP reservations for printers, payment terminals, and other hardware peripherals that connect to your network.
Ethernet:
A wired networking technology that uses cables to connect devices to a local area network. We recommend using printers and payment terminals with Ethernet connections as they are generally more reliable than wireless technologies.
F to M
Firewall:
A network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Configure your firewall to open specific network ports that allow open communication between your devices and Lightspeed servers.
Internet:
The global system of interconnected computer networks that uses standard protocols to connect devices worldwide.
Internet service provider (ISP):
A company that provides internet access to subscribers. An ISP connects your local network to the broader internet, enabling Lightspeed Restaurant to communicate with cloud-based services. Consider a business-grade package from your ISP for enhanced reliability and support.
IP address:
A string of digits that identifies each computer or device on a network. IP addresses are commonly four numbers separated by periods, (e.g., 192.168.0.101) with the last number changing based on the device. If you set up new LAN hardware in Lightspeed Restaurant using its IP address, you'll need to create a DHCP reservation to ensure it does not change.
Kbps:
Kilobits per second, a measure of data transfer speed. 1,000 Kbps equals 1 Mbps. Lightspeed requires minimum download and upload speeds of 20 Mbps for each POS device.
Local area network (LAN):
A type of network that exists in a physical location, such as your business. POS devices, LAN, and Wi-Fi hardware must connect to the same dedicated LAN you set up for Lightspeed Restaurant.
MAC address:
A permanent, physical address assigned to a device’s network interface. It is used to identify the device when it connects to your network. A MAC address is used to set up certain network printers and to create DHCP reservations.
Mbps:
Megabits per second, a measure of data transfer speed. 1 Mbps equals 1,000 Kbps. Lightspeed requires minimum download and upload speeds of 20 Mbps for each POS device.
Modem:
Network hardware that connects your local network to your internet service provider. It converts the incoming internet signal into a format that your devices can use.
N to R
Network:
A system of connected computers and devices that can communicate with each other. The most common type of network is the local area network (LAN).
Networking:
The practice of connecting and managing the communication between multiple computing devices.
OSI Layer 2:
The network layer that Lightspeed Restaurant operates on and is responsible for reliable data transfer between directly connected devices.
Ports:
Can refer to the software channels used for specific types of network traffic or the physical connectors on network hardware for plugging in Ethernet cables.
POS device:
Any iPad or iPhone running the Lightspeed Restaurant POS app.
Power over Ethernet (PoE):
A technology that allows network cables to carry electrical power, eliminating the need for separate power cables for access points.
Public or private IP address:
Public IP addresses are those used on the internet, and private IP addresses are those used within a local network. Your modem receives a public IP address from the ISP, and devices connected to your network receive private IP addresses from your router.
RJ45:
A standard type of connector for Ethernet cables. This connector is what you plug into the Ethernet ports on devices like routers, computers, Lightspeed-compatible printers, and payment terminals.
Router:
Network hardware that manages the flow of data between your local network and the wider internet.
RSSI:
Received Signal Strength Indicator, a measurement of Wi-Fi signal strength for a device, typically expressed in dBm. Test the connectivity of each POS device to ensure it meets our -67dBm minimum RSSI.
S to Z
SSID:
Service Set Identifier, the name given to a Wi-Fi network.
Static IP address:
A fixed IP address that is manually assigned to a device and doesn't change, unlike a dynamically assigned IP address. Setting a static IP on a printer or payment terminal is an alternative if you are unable to create DHCP reservations for those devices.
Switch:
A device that provides additional Ethernet ports for connecting multiple wired devices to a network, such as certain printers or payment terminals. Use a switch if you need more ports than your router provides for LAN devices, and connect it back to the router for your Lightspeed Restaurant network.
TIA/EIA 568B:
A wiring standard for Ethernet cables that specifies the order of wires within RJ45 connectors. Widely used in commercial networks, it ensures proper connectivity by standardizing the arrangement of internal wires. If unsure how to verify wiring, consult a professional installer.
VLAN:
Virtual Local Area Network, a method of creating separate networks within a single physical network infrastructure.
Wall ports:
Also known as Ethernet jacks, these are network connection points installed in walls or floors for convenient access to the network.
Whitelist:
A list of approved items, such as IP addresses and domains, that are allowed access through network security measures. There are a few domains that need to be whitelisted for Lightspeed Restaurant.
Wi-Fi:
A wireless networking technology that allows capable devices to connect to a network without physical cables. Wi-Fi signals are broadcast by wireless routers and access points.
WPA:
Wi-Fi Protected Access, a security protocol for wireless networks. Use WPA2-Enterprise, WPA2-Personal, WPA-Enterprise, or WPA-Personal encryption for your Lightspeed Restaurant network's security.
Zyxel:
A brand of networking hardware sold by Lightspeed and recommended for use with Lightspeed Restaurant.