Install Wireless Access Points

In this Article:

• Wireless Access Point Overview
• Wireless Access Point Coverage Considerations
  • Coverage Area 
  • Shape of the Area
  • Building Material
• Understand How to Power Access Points
• Power over Ethernet (PoE) Overview
• Indoor Wireless Access Point Considerations
• Outdoor Wireless Access Point Install Considerations
• Install Your Wireless Access Points
  • Mount Your Toast Indoor Access Points (PC26)
  • Mounting your Outdoor Wireless Access Point (PC27)
  • Install your Toast Indoor or Outdoor Access Point

Wireless Access Point Overview

Wireless Access Point video overview.

If you are a Toast-managed restaurant, Wireless Access Points (WAP) help broadcast Wi-Fi internet throughout your space, so you can connect Toast wireless devices to your network. You will need wireless access points if you need Wi-Fi for your space, because Toast routers do not broadcast Wi-Fi directly. The amount and type of wireless access points you will need depend on the shape, style, and size of your restaurant. Toast offers indoor and outdoor wireless access points for whatever condition suits you best. This article details some best practices we recommend when installing and setting up these devices. 
 

Your Wireless Access Point will arrive pre-configured and set up specifically for your restaurant. If you believe your wireless access point is configured incorrectly, or if you add a WAP but have trouble connecting your devices to it, please contact customer care. 

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Wireless Access Point Coverage Considerations

Each service area, like your dining room, lounge, bar or patio will need at least one wireless access point mounted on the ceiling in the center of the area. Each access point can cover about 1,000 sq feet when mounted in the center of a room. Alternatively, for a more practical understanding, consider that each access point can cover an area approximately twice the size of a standard garage.

To determine the number of wireless access points needed for your restaurant, you'll need to measure the coverage area, consider the shape of your floor plan, and note the types of building/wall materials that divide the space. Without considering these factors, estimating the number of wireless access points you need will be rough. If you're looking for a benchmark to make a rough estimate, however, you may approximate one access point per every 1,000 square feet. 
 
Use the following information to generate an improved estimate count for your location.

Coverage Area 

Knowing the area in square feet or meters is a good start. As mentioned above, a very rough estimate is approximately 1 access point for every 1,000 square feet. The assumptions for this number are below:

• Typical office or residential space
• Square or rectangle-shaped area
• Single floor area
• Drywall partitions or cubicles
• Basic internet and streaming requirements

Shape of the Area

A better estimate requires knowing the shape of the area. If the area is an "L", "H" or "T" shaped floor plan, the indoor area may be the same size as the image displayed above but the access points most likely cannot be placed in a location that will be central to all users without the signal traversing multiple exterior or interior walls.

For these scenarios, the following recommendations can be used to generate a rough estimate per floor plan type:

• L Shape - multiply square footage estimate by 2
• T Shape - multiple square footage estimate by 3
• H Shape - multiply square footage estimate by 4

Building Material

An even better estimate requires knowing the material type of each wall. The number of access points needed will increase if the internal wall material is brick, cement, or cinder block. A rough estimate is approximately one access point every 1,000 square feet or 75 square meters. In most cases, the biggest issue isn't the access point signal reaching clients, but the low-power client signal getting back to the access point. 

Note: Toast doesn't supply or support guest or personal Wi-Fi networks. Toast-approved devices should be the only devices on the network for optimal system performance. 

Understand How to Power Access Points

Your Wireless Access points need power. You can provide power in one of two ways:

• Install powered Ethernet ports in the wall or ceiling next to your Wireless Access Points on the where the device will be mounted. This is not recommended in the event you choose to move your device to adjust coverage.
• Power over Ethernet is the process of providing power to your Wireless Access points using an Ethernet cable and your router or switch. 

Power over Ethernet (PoE) Overview

Power over Ethernet (PoE) utilizes Ethernet cables to provide power to your wireless access points. There are two ways to provide PoE within a Toast system: 

• You can purchase a Toast PoE switch that has ports that provide PoE capabilities to any ethernet cable that is plugged into them (see our switch port mapping article for information). 
• You plug WAP directly into the router or a non-PoE switch with PoE injectors. In that circumstance, a device plugs into a PoE injectors, which is then plugged in the router or switch, to provide power to your wireless access points. If you think you need a PoE injector, but it wasn’t supplied in your hardware order, please work with your onboarding consultant to purchase one. 
• A Meraki Z3 router (no longer sold) has PoE ports on the router to plug into wireless access points. 

This diagram demonstrates the three WAP connections to power listed above:

Note: Toast’s Indoor Access Points (PC26) have an AC adaptor port, but do not come with a functioning external power supply. 

Indoor Wireless Access Point Considerations

1. Install wireless access points on ceilings only: Wireless access points should be installed on the ceiling of your restaurant. See the following images for an example of where this device should and should not be installed:
   
      
   
   
2. The top of the wireless access point should never be blocked or facing away from the coverage area: The top of the wireless access point is where the antenna is located. This surface must always be facing the intended service area. Furthermore, the access point should never be obstructed by anything. This includes TVs, drop ceilings, signage, speakers, cameras, and more.
3. The wireless access point should be at least 3 - 5 feet away from any other radio sources: Wireless access points are susceptible to interference from other devices that transmit radio frequency. Interference causes wireless connectivity to become weak and unstable. Please make sure these devices are installed away from common radio sources, such as:
   1. Televisions
   2. Radios
   3. Cordless Phones
   4. Microwave Ovens
   5. Other Wireless Access Points
   6. Power Transformers
   7. Automatic Door Openers
   8. Speakers
   9. Wireless Security Cameras
   10. Audio Amplifiers
   11. Disco Balls

 

The following is an example of a poorly placed wireless access point that was installed too close to a security camera:

 

 

 

 

Outdoor Wireless Access Point Install Considerations

Outdoor wireless access points can be mounted on an exterior wall, ceiling, or pole. Remember, Toast is not responsible for mounting access points, so these will need to be in place before your installation. 

 

• Each device will come with a mounting bracket, anchors, and screws.