Set Up Your Toast Switch

Last updated: Apr 22, 2026, 6:35 PM

A switch is a piece of networking equipment that plugs into your router to increase the number of available ports.

In this Article:

 

Toast Switch Overview

A switch is a piece of networking equipment that plugs into your router to increase the number of available ports. This allows you to connect your Toast devices and wireless access points via an Ethernet cable to provide a hardwired connection to the internet. We refer to this as a cable homerun. Toast offers two different types of switches—one with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities and one non-PoE switch. Learn more about PoE capabilities in our Install Access Points article.

 

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Port Mapping Your Toast Switch

The biggest consideration when setting up your Toast device is that it is a "smart" switch. To facilitate that, specific ports on the switch are designated as trunk, hybrid, or access ports. This means specific devices must be plugged into particular ports to align with their configured function.

 

These ports are as follows:

  • Uplink ports (Trunk): These connect to routers or an upstream switch if needed
  • Toast device ports (hybrid): These are designated for Toast devices, such as printers and terminals. There is no specific order or sequence in which you need to install the end-use devices in that range of ports
  • Wireless Access Point ports (access): These are the only ports that should connect to the wireless access points.
  • Downlink ports (trunk): If you need to connect another switch, you can use this port to daisy chain an additional switch

 

Refer to the following table to instruct on where to plug each device into the PoE switch:

 

Switch SizeModel NumberUplink PortToast Device PortsWireless Access Point PortsDownlink Port
8-port SwitchSC-08P12 - 56 - 78
24-Port SwitchSC-24P12 - 1718 - 2324
48-Port SwitchSC-48P12 - 4142 - 4748

 

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Device Port Mapping for Non-Power over Ethernet (POE) Switch

Refer to the chart below for device port mapping for non-POE switch devices. 

 

Switch SizeModel NumberUplink PortToast Device PortsWireless Access Point Ports w/PoE injectorDownlink Port
8-port SwitchSC-0812 - 56 - 78

 

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Install Your Power over Ethernet (POE) Switch

Once the router setup is complete, you can set up the switch.

  1. First, ensure the “PoE Mode” button is not pressed. This indicator light, when pressed, signals which ports are receiving power rather than confirming the switch’s connection to downstream devices. We want to make sure each device is connected to confirm proper install.

    PoE Mode Button.
  2. Confirm your switch is powered, via the green “power” indicator light, as well as green lights above each port. Once the lights are on, begin to connect devices to your switch.
  3. Regardless of switch size, connect the Ethernet cord that comes with the router between the router's LAN1 port and the network switch's Port 1.

    Ethernet cord plugged into the Toast switch.

    Toast switch port cord plugged in.
  4. Then, refer to the table above for the correct installation instructions based on your switch’s size. The following describes installing an 8-port switch– connect Toast terminals, Kitchen Display System (KDS), and kiosks to ports 2–5 on the switch using Ethernet cords that come with your Toast devices.

    Ethernet cord plugged into the Toast switch.
  5. Next, attach Wi-Fi access points to ports 6–7 using Power-over-Ethernet (PoE).

    Wi-fi access points connected to the Toast switch.
  6. Confirm your switch has been installed correctly by confirming your devices are connected and online:
    1. Print a test ticket from your terminal
    2. Confirm your access points are online

 

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Power over Ethernet (POE) Switch Technical Capabilities

Switch SizeModel NumberPower SupplyPower Consumption (max.)PoE Power Budget
8-port SwitchSC-08P100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz80 W65W
24-Port SwitchSC-24P100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz160 W200W
48-Port SwitchSC-48P100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz490 W370W

 

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