Welcome to the first step in getting your CAKE POS system up and running! This article will guide you through unboxing your CAKE POS kit, setting up your POS and network, and onboarding your system.
When your CAKE POS kit arrives, it's time to get started! Your kit includes the following components:
CAKE POS Terminal and accessories
Netgear Switch and power adapter
CAKE ZyXEL Router and power adapter
Payment Cube and micro-to-USB cord
Cash Drawer
Epson Thermal Printer and accessories
Optional Additional Printers like an Impact Printer or Label Printer and accessories
Complimentary Ethernet Cords for connecting devices
Preparation Before Starting
Before you dive into setting up your system, take a moment to ensure the following essentials are in place for a smooth installation process.
Power Outlets: Ensure there are enough power outlets for all components.
Ethernet Cables: Confirm the provided Ethernet cables are long enough for your setup. If not, purchase additional cables at your local office supplies store before starting.
Pro Tip: Label all Ethernet cables during setup to identify which device each cable is connected to. This will save time and prevent confusion during future troubleshooting or when working with CAKE Support.
Getting your CAKE POS system up and running requires a reliable network connection. This section will guide you through setting up your CAKE POS hardware and CAKE network.
The Netgear Switch expands your CAKE network by allowing you to connect additional devices to the CAKE Zyxel Router. While the router has only four LAN ports, the switch ensures you can link multiple POS terminals, printers, and other CAKE devices seamlessly. It acts as a hub, enabling all your hardware to stay connected and communicate efficiently within the network.
Retrieve the Netgear Switch and its power adapter.
Connect the power adapter to the switch and plug it into an electrical outlet.
The CAKE Zyxel Router plays a vital role in your CAKE network. It not only provides internet connectivity to your POS terminals but also acts as the central hub that links all your CAKE devices together. This ensures seamless communication between your hardware.
Retrieve the Zyxel Router and its power adapter.
Connect the power adapter to the router’s power port and plug it into an outlet near your restaurant's internet modem.
Use the provided ethernet cable to connect the router’s Blue WAN port to a LAN port on your restaurant's internet modem.
Wait for the globe icon on the router to start flashing, indicating an active internet connection.
Now that the CAKE router and switch are set up, connect the POS terminals to the network:
Use an ethernet cable to link the CAKE router’s LAN port to any port on the Netgear Switch.
For each POS terminal use an ethernet cable to connect the terminal to the Netgear switch.
Begin by routing the ethernet cable through the hole at the base of the POS terminal stand.
Plug one end of the cable into the ethernet port located on the neck of the POS terminal, ensuring a secure connection.
Take the other end of the cable and connect it to any available port on the Netgear Switch.
For now, ensure that only one POS terminal is powered on, keeping any additional terminals turned off.
Pro Tip: Take a moment to create a detailed network map of your setup. Include the placement of your CAKE Router, Netgear Switch, and POS terminals. Label each device with its corresponding port and connection type. This map will be invaluable in the future if you need to troubleshoot or work with CAKE Support on networking issues. It provides a clear visual reference that saves time and ensures accurate communication when resolving connectivity problems.
Ensure internet connectivity to your CAKE network by performing a network test on the CAKE POS:
On the POS terminal, navigate to the Network Test screen, which will display after skipping through the initial set up steps.
Select Start Test.
If the test is successful, select Next to proceed with the set up.
If the test fails, check all ethernet connections and try again. Confirm the globe icon on the CAKE router is flashing and not red.
Once completed, your CAKE POS and network are ready for the next steps in the setup process. This foundation ensures smooth communication between your devices and reliable performance during operation.
Great work! With your network test complete, your CAKE POS system is ready for the next stage: Onboarding Your CAKE POS System. This step involves activating your terminals, loading your restaurant’s menu and user data, and setting up secure access.
