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Checklist: Setting Up WiFi for Slow Internet & Bulk App Downloads

When installing SmartCircle in a location with slow or unstable internet, it’s critical to prepare the network so multiple devices can download apps and campaigns without affecting other systems (like POS).Follow this checklist to ensure smooth setup

1. Test and Prepare the Internet Connection

  • Test actual speed at the installation site using speedtest.net.

    • Minimum for setup: 10 Mbps download / 5 Mbps upload.

    • Recommended for 20+ devices: 50+ Mbps download.

  • If speeds are low for installation day, arrange a temporary high-speed connection (e.g., 4G/5G hotspot, temporary ISP upgrade).

  • If the connection is permanently slow:

    • Plan smaller, staggered updates.

    • Consider a secondary internet line dedicated to SmartCircle (even LTE/5G works).

    • If possible, pre-load apps and campaigns before devices arrive in store or create a hotspot from a mobile device to use during initial setup of the store.

    • Windows app tip: Download the full Windows installer package once from https://www.sensormedia.com/apps and copy it manually to target devices—via USB stick or internal shared storage/server. This avoids timeouts or slow downloads during installation on each device.

2. Optimize WiFi Coverage

  • Use a dual-band router (2.4GHz & 5GHz).

  • Connect display devices to 5GHz whenever possible for faster speeds.

  • Select the best channel for both bands (see Choose the Best Channel for Your WiFi).

  • For large stores, use WiFi mesh or extenders to eliminate dead zones.

3. Protect POS Performance on Shared Networks

If SmartCircle shares internet with POS, take steps to prevent POS disruption:

Network Separation Options (best to good):

  1. Completely separate SSID & subnet for SmartCircle devices.

  2. Physically separate network — use a dedicated router or access point for SmartCircle connected to the modem.

  3. Second internet connection (fiber, DSL, LTE/5G) dedicated to SmartCircle.

  4. Multi-WAN router with load balancing/failover, routing SmartCircle traffic to a secondary WAN.

  5. VLAN for SmartCircle traffic, isolating it from POS and controlling traffic flow.

Traffic Management Options:

  • Enable QoS (Quality of Service) to give POS devices top priority.

  • Use bandwidth shaping to limit SmartCircle’s maximum usage (e.g., no more than 50% of available bandwidth).

  • Schedule large app/campaign downloads outside business hours.

4. Reduce Network Load During Setup

  • Download apps in batches (5–10 devices at a time).

  • Disconnect non-essential devices (guest WiFi, staff phones) during setup.

  • If internet is slow, prioritize POS and customer-facing systems during business hours; do SmartCircle updates after hours.

5. Router Configuration for Best Performance

  • Ensure required ports are open: UDP 22333, TCP 22333 & 33322.

  • Enable QoS and/or VLANs as described above.

  • For security, use WPA2 with AES and a strong password (8+ characters, upper/lowercase, numbers, symbols).