This article covers the essential aspects of setting up your network for optimal use with Lightspeed Restaurant. We’ll discuss recommended hardware, network setup, and basic network troubleshooting steps. Understanding these elements will help you create a stable and efficient environment for your Lightspeed system.
Choosing the right hardware
Optimizing your network’s performance begins with your hardware. This includes network hardware, such as routers, but also POS hardware, such as printers. Here are some considerations to make during the hardware purchasing phase.
Network hardware
- Use a dedicated router for your Lightspeed POS devices, printers, and payment terminals to avoid interference with other internet-connected hardware (for example, security cameras).
- Purchase a LiteServer to protect your business from the effects of an internet outage. A LiteServer enables you to perform certain essential business functions in Lightspeed while your connection is out.
Printers
- LAN-based receipt and kitchen printers are the most reliable due to their hardwired connection to your network.
- Avoid using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth printers in a kitchen or other environment containing interference-causing devices (for example, electric motors or cordless phones) or large physical barriers (for example, large metal appliances).
Payment terminals
Consider purchasing a payment terminal with 4G capability. If your main internet goes offline, you’ll be able to process standalone payments via the cellular connection.
Setting up your network
This section explores best practices for the setup and configuration of your network for use with Lightspeed Restaurant. Physical setup focuses on hardware placement and connections, while network configuration involves setting up protocols for secure and efficient communication.
Physical setup
If you don’t know how altering the physical setup of your network will affect it, consult an IT professional before making changes. Lightspeed Support cannot troubleshoot or assist with network hardware purchased outside of Lightspeed
| Router placement |
Set up your router in an open, central, elevated area. This area should be:
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| Network infrastructure |
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| Internet speed | POS devices must have a minimum download connection speed of 20 Mbps. Perform a speed test from each device to verify this. |
| Wi-Fi strength |
Test Wi-Fi coverage on each POS device at peak times to ensure signal strength stays between -67dBm and -30dBm when at full customer capacity. For roaming POS devices, ensure there is sufficient coverage in every part of the restaurant. If necessary, add additional access points to your network or move existing ones to increase signal coverage and connection reliability for all devices.
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| iOS / iPadOS settings |
Configure the network settings on each iOS or iPadOS device to our recommended standards. This can help prevent potential disruption to certain POS functions.
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Network configuration
If you don’t know how altering the configuration of your network will affect it, consult an IT professional before making changes. Lightspeed Support cannot troubleshoot or assist with network hardware purchased outside of Lightspeed
| Network architecture |
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| Router login | Change your router's default admin username and password to prevent unauthorized access to its settings. If possible, also change the router's default IP address (for example, 192.168.1.1). |
| Wi-Fi |
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| Firewall | Configure your firewall to allow open communication between your devices and Lightspeed. For more detailed guidance, continue reading. |
| Ports | Open networks ports 443 and 8443 to allow devices and hardware to communicate with each other and with Lightspeed’s cloud servers. |
| Domains |
Whitelist network traffic to and from:
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| IP addresses | There are no specific IP addresses you need to whitelist. |
| Features to disable | Turn off wireless isolation, access point isolation, client isolation, or any other features that limit the ability of devices on your network to communicate with each other. |
| Other considerations |
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Keeping your network secure
Keeping your network secure requires protecting your POS environment against both physical vulnerabilities and social engineering tactics. Learn how to secure your hardware setup, inspect equipment for tampering, and implement best practices to prevent unauthorized access.
Securing your physical setup
Scammers can exploit in-person vulnerabilities to access sensitive information. This can be as simple as standing behind an employee to monitor the screen or keyboard, or something more sophisticated, like gaining physical access to hardware to install devices that monitor passwords, PINs, and credit card information. Controlling physical access to your systems and devices is as equally important as limiting digital access.
To improve in-person security:
- Use supported or compatible hardware: Ensure devices can be updated to remain compliant with the latest security standards.
- Log device serial and model numbers: Make a reference log you can use to verify that identifying numbers match assigned devices during routine inspections.
- Closely monitor payment equipment: Regularly inspect your POS equipment, credit card terminals, and PIN-entry devices for broken seals, missing screws, extraneous wiring, additional labels, or tampering. Ensure all handheld devices are accounted for at all times.
- Regularly inspect devices: Check each device’s USB or network port for anything plugged in that isn’t supposed to be there. If something was plugged in by an unknown party, report it immediately.
- Secure the checkout area: Ensure that POS, card terminals, and screens are positioned for privacy. Use secure shelves, stands, and security cables to prevent unauthorized removal. Mount your PIN pads securely on the counter and use locking stands to protect your equipment. Consider installing surveillance cameras in your stores.
Preventing social engineering attacks
Social engineering is the strategy of tricking someone into compromising their own security by divulging sensitive information. To avoid someone compromising your physical setup, always check credentials and confirm unannounced service calls directly with your support vendor or ISP before giving anyone physical access to your POS devices or networking gear.
To help keep your devices safe, consider implementing:
- Off-hours storage: Lock mobile registers, handheld card terminals, and spare payment hardware inside a secure safe or locked cabinet overnight when the store is closed.
- Physical port lockdown: Install physical port blockers on exposed USB and RJ45 (Ethernet) ports on registers, routers, and switches to prevent rogue hardware or keyloggers from being plugged in.
- Tamper-evident seals: Place serial-numbered security stickers across device seams and unused ports. If a seal shows a VOID pattern or is broken, treat the device as compromised immediately.
- Concealed cabling: Route ethernet and power cables inside counter conduits, mounting stands, or secure raceways to prevent unauthorized physical network taps or accidental disconnections.
Basic troubleshooting for network issues
The first step for any tech troubleshooting is to make sure everything is still plugged in and turned on. As obvious as it may seem, this simple check can save you lots of headaches.
Further steps include:
- Ensure that network cables are not damaged and securely connected at both ends. They should click into place when plugged into devices.
- Look for status and power lights on each device where available. All devices that require power should be connected and switched on.
- If your printers are using the Ethernet connection, they should be plugged into the Ethernet ports on the back of the modem/router - these are usually marked 1, 2, 3, 4. Using ports marked as Internet or WAN will not work.
- Ensure your tablet is on the same network as your printers.
- As a last resort, you can always turn everything off, wait 10 seconds, and then turn everything back on again.