Networking can feel complicated, but setting up your POS network doesn't have to be. This article breaks down core networking concepts, hardware, and key terms into plain language so you can confidently plan your restaurant's network setup.

Networking and Lightspeed Restaurant

Your business's network is the foundation upon which Lightspeed Restaurant operates. While it is possible to take basic orders offline, you only unlock your POS system's full set of features when you have a robust local area network (LAN) and internet connection.

Setting up your network according to Lightspeed's specifications is required for:

• POS device communication: Orders started on one POS device can be edited and closed from any other POS device on your network.
• LAN and Wi-Fi hardware compatibility: Print receipts and kitchen tickets, connect to external payment terminals, and utilize any other POS hardware that connects with your network.
• Card payments: If you're approved for Lightspeed Payments, you can accept credit and debit cards over the internet.
• Syncing to and from Back Office: Completed orders will automatically sync to your Back Office reporting over the internet. Menu updates or other Back Office changes can be manually downloaded to your POS devices by reloading them.
• Lightspeed Restaurant add-ons: Any add-ons you've purchased, such as Lightspeed Reservations and Lightspeed Tasks, transmit data to and from your POS over the internet.
• Third-party integrations: Partner integrations, such as accounting and property management systems, also require an internet connection at the POS.

Common networking terms

If you're new to networking, understanding certain core concepts is the first step toward building, configuring, and maintaining a reliable network for Lightspeed Restaurant.

Hardware and infrastructure

Operations and performance

Networking best practices

When setting up the network you'll use for Lightspeed Restaurant, there are some general best practices you should follow for hardware installation, router placement, and network security.

Purchasing and installing hardware

Follow these hardware selection and connection guidelines to build a stable, reliable foundation for your POS equipment.

• Choose LAN: When possible, choose Ethernet / LAN versions of our supported POS hardware. A receipt printer, for example, connected with a physical cable will generally be more reliable than one connected wirelessly.
• Prepare your restaurant: Read our site preparation guide before installing network or POS hardware.
• Hardwire hardware: If you have the option to connect hardware via Ethernet or wirelessly, always choose the more reliable Ethernet / LAN connection.
• Keep it simple: When connecting hardware by Ethernet cable, always give it the most direct path to your router. For example, don't connect a payment terminal through a switch unless you absolutely need the switch.

Router and access point placement

Where you position your network hardware is just as important as the hardware you choose.

• Set up all wireless network hardware away from electronics (microwaves, cordless phones, etc.), physical barriers (concrete walls, metal objects, etc.), and heat sources (kitchen, etc.).
• Routers should be placed somewhere open, central, and elevated.
• Access points should be placed about every 100 m² (1,000 ft²) as needed, mounted higher than 2.5 m (8 ft). Install on floors where your router is not located, staggering to minimize interference.

Network security

Implement these essential security measures to protect your network from unauthorized access and maintain optimal performance.

• Separate router: Use a dedicated standalone router for your Lightspeed Restaurant network. If you want to offer guest Wi-Fi, purchase a separate router for that purpose (just make sure you have enough bandwidth).
• Password-protect: Always set a password for your network and never leave it completely open. This protects you from unauthorized use and hidden network load.
• Don't share: Avoid sharing your networks with other businesses to reduce network load.
• Keep updated: Regularly update your router's firmware to enhance security and performance.

Follow the requirements

Follow all of the instructions in our Network requirements article. Some of its information is covered in the article you're reading now, but other details are more technical. If you need help, refer to the networking glossary or contact an IT professional.

Example network setups

The following examples show combinations of network hardware you might use in different types of establishments to construct your Lightspeed Restaurant network.

Simple network setup

Here we have a quick-service restaurant located in a small space. In this scenario, the network consists of:

• Modem: Connected to your ISP and a power source.
• Router: Connected by Ethernet cable to the modem, it provides basic Wi-Fi coverage and a limited number of ports for wired devices. This router must be reserved only for Lightspeed devices.
• POS devices: Connected wirelessly over Wi-Fi to the Lightspeed router.
• Receipt and ticket printers: Connected by Ethernet cable to the same router as the POS devices.
• Payment terminal(s) (not shown): Connected by Wi-Fi, Ethernet cable, or Bluetooth, depending on the specific model.

Complex network setup

This example illustrates a full-service restaurant located in a large space. In this scenario, the network consists of:

• Modem: Connected to your ISP and a power source.
• Router: Connected by Ethernet cable to the modem, it provides basic Wi-Fi coverage and a limited number of ports for wired devices. This router must be reserved only for Lightspeed devices.
• Switch: Connected by Ethernet cable to the router, it supplies additional ports for wired devices.
• Access point: Connected by Ethernet cable to the router, it extends the Wi-Fi signal to an area of the restaurant not covered by the router.
• Receipt and ticket printers: Connected by Ethernet cable to the switch that terminates at the Lightspeed router.
• POS devices: Connected wirelessly over Wi-Fi to the access point or router.
• Payment terminal(s) (not shown): Connected by Wi-Fi, Ethernet cable, or Bluetooth, depending on the specific model.

Glossary of networking terms

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.

• 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 (1,000 ft²). Add new access points or move existing ones to increase signal coverage if your RSSI doesn’t meet our internet connectivity requirements.

  Allowlist:
  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 added to your allowlist for Lightspeed Restaurant.

  Business-grade hardware:
  Hardware that is built to higher performance standards than consumer-grade hardware, which makes it more reliable in a commercial setting. Business-grade hardware often has a longer lifespan, advanced security features, and extended support. Lightspeed recommends using business-grade hardware in your restaurant.

  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.

  Consumer-grade hardware:
  Hardware that is built for personal use in the home. Consumer-grade hardware often has a shorter lifespan than business-grade hardware, is built with lower-quality components, but costs less to purchase. Lightspeed recommends using business-grade hardware in your restaurant.

  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.

  Domain:
  The human-readable address you enter in your browser to access a website or service on the internet. For example, lightspeedhq.com.

  Domain Name System (DNS):
  Converts the domain you enter in your browser to the IP address your browser visits to access a given webpage. By default, your router will typically use the DNS provided by your internet service provider. However, we recommend configuring your router to use 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as its DNS to route traffic through Google's more reliable servers.

  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 technology.

• GHz:
  An abbreviation for gigahertz, a measure of frequency. Wi-Fi signals commonly broadcast on three different wireless bands:

  • 2.4 GHz (standard): Longest range, lowest bandwidth and speed. Best for compatible devices that are farther from the router.
  • 5 GHz (high speed): Shorter range, higher bandwidth and speed. Best for compatible devices that are physically close to the router.
  • 6 GHz (new): Shortest range, highest bandwidth and speed. Only compatible with new hardware that supports 6 GHz.

  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.

  IPv4 and IPv6:
  Two versions of the Internet Protocol used to format IP addresses and route data across networks. IPv4 is still more widespread today, while IPv6 is a newer standard that was created to accommodate a much larger set of potential IP addresses. Use IPv4 for your Lightspeed Restaurant network.

  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 per POS device and payment terminal.

  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.

  Mesh network:
  A type of network that's set up using multiple connected nodes, instead of a single router, in order to broadcast a uniform Wi-Fi signal throughout an area. With a mesh network, your devices connect to a single network name (SSID) and intelligently roam between nodes as needed.

  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.

• 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.

  Quality of Service (QoS):
  A set of networking features used to prioritize certain traffic and manage bandwidth to ensure reliable performance.

  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 -67 dBm minimum RSSI.

• 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 jacks:
  Also known as Ethernet jacks, these are network connection points installed in walls or floors for convenient access to the network.

  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-Personal (PSK) or WPA3-Personal (PSK) authentication for your Lightspeed Restaurant network's security.

  Zyxel:
  A brand of networking hardware sold by Lightspeed and recommended for use with Lightspeed Restaurant.

Troubleshooting

If you're having issues related to your network, visit our troubleshooting guide on networking for help.

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