Network Best Practices

Network Best Practices

Reliable Internet 

Your Arryved POS devices rely on a strong and constant internet connection to ensure there are no disruptions to your operations. The following best practices are Arryved’s recommendations for an ideal setup to support your POS devices.  

Arryved’s Role in Your Network Configuration 

We strongly encourage you to consult with an IT Professional or Network Technician prior to installation if you are not familiar with network configuration, wireless security, or router setup. 

Issues caused by incorrect setup or unstable connections fall outside of Arryved’s scope of support. 

Your business network is handled by your Internet Service Provider (such as Comcast, Quantum Fiber, etc.). Although Arryved provides best-practice recommendations to help you achieve a reliable and PCI-compliant network environment, the setup, management, and maintenance of your network are the sole responsibility of your team and your ISP. 

Arryved’s Recommended Best Practices 

Your WiFi Setup  

  1. Dedicated WiFi for your POS Devices 

  • Create a private WiFi network exclusively for Arryved POS devices and connected peripherals (printers, card readers, kitchen displays, etc.).  

  • PCI Compliance standards recommend that your network for payments is not the same as the public access network for your staff and guests.  

  • This isolated network must not be used for public or staff WiFi and is solely reserved for the POS.  

  • Be sure not to hide the network; printers have trouble with this. 

  • Regularly update firmware on routers, access points, and switches. 

A dedicated network ensures:

  • Plenty of bandwidth for transactions and POS operations 

  • Improved connection stability 

  • Reduced interference from guest devices 

Wifi Band Settings 

  1. Disable Dual Band (2.4GHz + 5GHz auto-switching)  

  • Devices that roam between frequencies can drop connections mid-transaction. 

  • A common practice is to rename your bandwidths for easy identification. Here are some examples: 

  • “POS Network – 2.4” 

  • “POS Network – 5" 

  • “Guest Network (2.4GHz)” 

  • “Guest Network (5GHz)” 

  1. Lock your POS SSID to 2.4GHz when possible 

  • 2.4GHz has a wider range and is better at penetrating through walls, making it ideal for larger establishments with multiple venues. 

  • POS Peripherals will perform significantly better on 2.4Ghz.  

  • If 5GHz must be used (e.g., for modern access points or short-range, high-speed needs), ensure devices and peripherals remain on a fixed band rather than auto-selecting. This can be done through the network gateway. 

  1. Bandwidth Management 

  • Prioritize POS traffic on your router by using Quality of Service (QoS) rules. 

  • Assign the highest priority to devices with Arryved apps and peripherals. 

  • Isolate guest WiFi bandwidth

  • Limit upload/download speeds for guest networks to prevent congestion. 

  • Consider a separate VLAN or subnet for guests and staff devices. 

Hardware Best Practices 

  1. Use Business-class Routers and Access Points 

  • Consumer routers (e.g., from big-box stores) are not designed for high-volume, always-on environments. 

  • Avoid ISP-issued Modem Routers as your sole network device 

  • These devices typically offer limited control, weaker security features, and lower reliability than dedicated business-class routers.  

  • Using your own router gives you full control over: 

  • Network security settings (firewalls, VLANs, password policies) 

  • Bandwidth management (QoS, traffic prioritization for POS devices) 

  • Firmware updates and diagnostics 

  • Instead, bridge the ISP modem to your own router for full control over your LAN. 

Good Brands to Consider:

  • Cisco: Widely used in business settings, strong on security features. 

  • TP-Link: Offers very good value and features for small to mid-sized establishments. 

  • NETGEAR: Known for robustness and good performance in business/office setups. 

  • UBIQUITY Ubiquiti: Allows more control over the overall architecture. 

Note: Network Equipment on the market is constantly evolving.  With that in mind, Arryved cannot keep up with what is available on the market at any given time.  Above are highly regarded brands that we have seen success with over the years. 

  1. Do Not Use Nighthawk Routers or DDoS-Protected Devices 

  • Avoid using Nighthawk routers or any device with built-in DDoS protection features. These systems are designed to block frequent network “pings” or device communications, which is exactly how POS systems maintain real-time connectivity with peripherals and services. 

  • Using them can cause intermittent disconnections, printer dropouts, or failed transactions. 

  1. Do Not Use WiFi Extenders or Repeaters 

  • WiFi extenders and repeaters often create signal interference, latency, and inconsistent IP assignments, which can severely disrupt POS communication.
    Instead, use hardwired Wireless Access Points (WAPs) connected to your main router.  

  1. WAP Setup Tips:

  • Use Ethernet Runs 

  • Connect each WAP to the router or a managed switch using Cat6 or higher cabling.

  • Avoid daisy chaining WAPs over WiFi. Each WAP should have a direct wired connection for maximum stability. 

  • Power Over Ethernet (PoE)

  • Use PoE-enabled switches to power your WAPs without separate power cables.  

  • Placement and Coverage 

  • Mount access points in central, open areas (ceiling-mounted if possible) to minimize interference from walls or equipment. 

  • Avoid placing them near metal structures, microwaves, or refrigeration units, as these can disrupt WiFi signals.

  • SSID Setup

  • Use the same SSID and password for your POS network across all WAPs to allow seamless device movement. 

Starlink Users 

  • If you’re unsure how to configure this, please consult your IT professional or network technician for assistance. 

  • If you’re using Starlink for your internet connection, it’s important to properly stress test your network before going live to ensure consistent performance during service. 

  • We recommend enabling Bypass Mode to allow your own router to manage the network instead of Starlink hardware. 

Network Layout Example 

Here’s a simple recommended layout: 

[Internet] 

 

[ISP Modem] 

 

[Router] 

  ├── Connected WAP(s) 

  │   ├── POS Network (Private SSID - 2.4GHz only) 

  │   │   ├── POS Tablets 

  │   │   ├── Receipt/Kitchen Printers 

  │   │ 

  │   ├── Staff Devices (Laptops, Admin PCs) 

  │   └── Guest WiFi (Limited Bandwidth) 

  │ 

  └── Hardwired Devices (e.g., KDS, Printers, Back Office PCs)
 

Connectivity Testing and Maintenance 

  • Before going live, run a speed test on your POS network: 

  • Regularly reboot networking equipment (weekly or biweekly) to clear the cache and maintain performance. 

  • Please ensure to do this outside of business hours, as this process can take up to 20 minutes to reboot.  

  • Keep a backup hotspot or secondary internet connection for redundancy during outages. 

Related Articles

How To Test WiFi Strength With Android 

How To Test WiFi Strength On Mac OS

How To Strengthen Your WiFi Signal

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