Having a strong, reliable (and dedicated) network is key to the reliable running of your till system > the Bustle app, your printers and your payment terminals.
Follow these three rules for a smooth operation...
Strength - We recommend using a commercial router setup for optimal signal strength across your business. The free routers that come with an internet connection are often not capable of properly managing devices reliant on a strong wi-fi signal.
Locate - Location of the router is key! Place in an open area, not confined by solid walls, large metal objects or near other electronics (Cordless phones, Microwaves etc)
Dedicate - Only set up devices dedicated to Bustle on your network. Other devices (especially streaming and cameras) can overload the wifi and cause major issues with printing and syncing your iPads. Most decent routers have two separate networks installed.
The technical breakdown
Here are our high level network requirements for a network running the Bustle software, printers and payment terminals. Great to pass on to a technician setting up or troubleshooting your router and network
The Ideal (Dedicated) network
Bustle has a dedicated network and internet access.
Note: The Modem / Router / Wifi AP need not necessarily be unique devices. E.g. some ADSL modem/routers can be all-in-one.
Full Internet access required (no restrictions).
All Bustle devices must be on the same logical network
Fixed IP addresses are recommended
There should be a strong Wifi signal wherever any Bustle iPad resides
Good, consistent internet access during operational hours is essential
Shared Networks
If a dedicated standalone network is not practical and a network must be shared, there are several considerations and actions recommended:
Full internet access required (no restrictions)
All Bustle devices must be on the same logical network
Fixed IP addresses are recommended
There should be a strong Wifi signal wherever any Bustle iPad resides
Good, consistent internet access during operational hours is essential
Any other connected devices
If there are any other devices connected to the router, their use of the network bandwidth needs to be monitored to ensure that Bustle has good, consistent internet access. E.g. no other device should be able to saturate the upload bandwidth.
Any other wifi devices on the Bustle network
If there are ever any other wifi devices on the Bustle network, the following need to be considered and counteracted:
Saturation or interfering with that network’s wifi bandwidth.
Joining the network with a duplicate IP address - which can cause issues for Bustle and may require network engineer intervention.
Using internet bandwidth (e.g. streaming, or background uploads/downloads).
Additional networks
If there are additional networks (such as guest networks) the following need to be considered and counteracted:
Saturation or interfering with the internet bandwidth available to the Bustle network. E.g. torrent sharing, or large downloads/uploads.
Saturation of the Wifi AP (access point)’s available Wifi bandwidth. If the Wifi access point has 100Mbps of overall local bandwidth, and an additional network is consuming most of this, then the Bustle network performance is likely to suffer.