What connectivity does the kiosk or vending machine have?

Our smart racket rental kiosks support multiple connectivity options to ensure reliable internet access in virtually any location - from urban sports centers with fiber internet to remote venues with limited infrastructure.

Supported Connectivity Options

We offer four primary connectivity methods:

1. WiFi (802.11 b/g/n/ac)

Best for: Indoor venues with existing WiFi infrastructure

Specifications:

• Standards supported: 802.11 b/g/n/ac (WiFi 4 and WiFi 5)
• Frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
• Range: Up to 100 meters from access point (varies by environment)
• Security: WPA2/WPA3 encryption support
• Speed: Up to 300-1300 Mbps (depending on standard)

Advantages:

• No additional infrastructure cost if WiFi already exists
• Easy setup and configuration
• Can roam between access points
• No monthly data charges (uses venue’s internet)

Considerations:

• Requires stable WiFi coverage at kiosk location
• Performance depends on network congestion
• Signal strength must be adequate (-70 dBm or better recommended)
• May require WiFi extender for distant locations

Ideal Environments:

• Indoor sports facilities with existing WiFi
• Gyms and recreation centers
• University athletic facilities
• Hotels and resorts with guest WiFi
• Shopping centers and retail locations

2. RJ45 Ethernet (Wired Network)

Best for: Permanent installations requiring maximum reliability

Specifications:

• Standard: 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet (auto-negotiation)
• Connector: Standard RJ45 port
• Cable: Cat5e or Cat6 (up to 100 meters from switch)
• PoE support: Optional Power over Ethernet capability
• Redundancy: Can serve as backup to WiFi

Advantages:

• Most reliable connection method
• Consistent performance regardless of radio interference
• Higher security (physical access required)
• No wireless signal issues or dead zones
• Lower latency for real-time transactions

Considerations:

• Requires network cable installation to kiosk location
• Less flexible for kiosk relocation
• May need additional networking equipment (switches, routers)
• Installation cost if cabling doesn’t exist

Ideal Environments:

• New construction or renovation projects
• Permanent kiosk installations
• Areas with poor wireless performance
• High-security environments
• Locations with existing network infrastructure

3. LTE 4G Cellular

Best for: Outdoor venues, temporary locations, or WiFi-challenged sites

Specifications:

• Technology: LTE Category 4 or higher
• Bands: Multi-band support for global compatibility
• Speed: 5-50 Mbps download, 2-20 Mbps upload (carrier dependent)
• Backup: Can serve as failover to primary connection
• SIM card: Standard or eSIM support

Advantages:

• Works anywhere with cellular coverage
• No dependence on venue’s internet infrastructure
• Quick deployment - no cabling required
• Portable - kiosk can move locations easily
• Built-in redundancy independent of venue network

Considerations:

• Monthly data plan required (ongoing cost)
• Performance depends on cellular signal strength
• Data caps may apply (typically 10-50 GB/month sufficient)
• May have higher latency than wired/WiFi

Ideal Environments:

• Outdoor courts and facilities
• Temporary or seasonal installations
• Remote locations without fixed internet
• Events and pop-up locations
• Venues with unreliable WiFi

Data Usage: Our kiosks are designed for efficient data use:

• Average daily usage: 200-500 MB
• Monthly estimate: 6-15 GB (varies by transaction volume)
• Transaction overhead: ~100-200 KB per rental
• Software updates: 500 MB monthly (scheduled during off-peak)

4. Starlink Satellite Internet

Best for: Remote venues without reliable terrestrial connectivity

Specifications:

• Service: SpaceX Starlink satellite internet
• Speed: 50-200 Mbps download, 10-40 Mbps upload
• Latency: 20-40 ms (low Earth orbit satellites)
• Coverage: Available in most regions globally
• Equipment: Starlink dish and router required

Advantages:

• Works in extremely remote locations
• No traditional internet infrastructure needed
• High-speed broadband performance
• Reliable in areas where cellular is poor
• Expanding global coverage

Considerations:

• Hardware cost: Starlink dish and equipment (~$500-600)
• Monthly service fee: $100-120 per month
• Requires clear view of sky (no obstructions)
• Weather can occasionally affect performance
• Initial setup and alignment required

Ideal Environments:

• Rural sports facilities
• Remote vacation resorts
• National parks and recreation areas
• Locations with no cellular or fixed internet
• Island or coastal facilities
• Mountain resorts and ski areas

Why We Recommend Starlink for Remote Sites:

1. Performance: Far exceeds typical rural internet options
2. Reliability: More stable than long-distance wireless or satellite
3. Latency: Low enough for real-time payment processing
4. Future-proof: SpaceX continuously improving service
5. Cost-effective: Competitive with running fiber to remote locations

Multi-Connection Redundancy

For maximum uptime, we support dual connectivity configurations:

Primary + Backup Configuration

Example Setup 1: WiFi + LTE Failover

• Primary: Venue WiFi (no monthly cost)
• Backup: LTE 4G (automatic failover if WiFi fails)
• Benefit: 99.9%+ uptime with cost-effective backup

Example Setup 2: Ethernet + WiFi Failover

• Primary: Wired RJ45 connection (most reliable)
• Backup: WiFi or LTE (if primary fails)
• Benefit: Maximum reliability for high-volume locations

Example Setup 3: Starlink + LTE Backup

• Primary: Starlink (remote location)
• Backup: LTE (weather or obstruction issues)
• Benefit: Ensures connectivity even in extreme conditions

Automatic Failover

Our kiosks automatically:

• Monitor connection health - Continuous connectivity checks
• Switch to backup - Seamless transition within 30 seconds
• Restore primary - Automatically return when primary recovers
• Alert operators - Notification when failover occurs
• Log events - Track connection issues for troubleshooting

Connectivity Requirements

Minimum Requirements

For reliable operation, our kiosks need:

• Bandwidth: 1 Mbps download, 512 Kbps upload (minimum)
• Recommended: 5+ Mbps download, 1+ Mbps upload
• Latency: < 200ms (100ms or less preferred)
• Uptime: 99%+ availability
• Ports: HTTPS (443), HTTP (80), NTP (123)

Firewall and Network Requirements

Outbound connections needed:

• Payment gateway APIs (varies by provider)
• Cloud management platform (secure HTTPS)
• Software update servers
• Time synchronization (NTP servers)
• Email/SMS notification services (if configured)

Inbound connections:

• None required (kiosk initiates all connections)
• Optional: Remote management VPN for support

Network security:

• Supports operation behind NAT
• No port forwarding required
• Works with most corporate firewalls
• VPN support for additional security

Setup and Configuration

WiFi Setup

1. Access kiosk admin panel on touchscreen
2. Scan for available networks
3. Select network and enter password (WPA2/WPA3)
4. Test connection and verify speed
5. Save configuration

Time required: 5-10 minutes

Ethernet Setup

1. Connect Cat5e/Cat6 cable to RJ45 port
2. Kiosk auto-detects and configures (DHCP)
3. Or manually configure static IP if required
4. Test connection
5. Save configuration

Time required: 2-5 minutes (plus cabling if needed)

LTE Setup

1. Insert SIM card (provided by cellular carrier)
2. Kiosk automatically detects and connects
3. Verify signal strength and speed
4. Configure APN if required (usually automatic)
5. Save configuration

Time required: 5-10 minutes (assuming SIM is activated)

Starlink Setup

1. Install Starlink dish with clear sky view
2. Connect Starlink router to kiosk via Ethernet
3. Kiosk auto-configures through Starlink network
4. Verify performance and latency
5. Position dish for optimal signal (using Starlink app)

Time required: 30-60 minutes (initial Starlink setup)

Monitoring and Diagnostics

Our kiosks provide connectivity monitoring:

Real-Time Status

• Connection type in use (WiFi/Ethernet/LTE/Starlink)
• Signal strength or link quality
• Current bandwidth usage
• Latency measurements
• Uptime statistics

Alerts and Notifications

• Connection failures or degradation
• Failover events to backup connection
• High data usage warnings (for metered connections)
• Speed test results (scheduled or on-demand)

Remote Diagnostics

Our support team can remotely:

• Check connection health and performance
• Run speed tests and latency checks
• View connection logs and events
• Reconfigure connectivity settings
• Troubleshoot network issues

Connectivity by Venue Type

Indoor Sports Facilities

Recommended: WiFi (primary) + LTE (backup)

• Most cost-effective for indoor locations
• Leverage existing venue WiFi
• LTE provides insurance against WiFi issues

Outdoor Courts and Parks

Recommended: LTE 4G (primary) or Starlink (remote)

• Outdoor locations often lack wired infrastructure
• LTE works well in urban/suburban areas
• Starlink for truly remote parks and recreation areas

Hotels and Resorts

Recommended: Ethernet or WiFi (guest network isolated)

• Hotels typically have robust wired networks
• Separate from guest WiFi for reliability
• Can integrate with property management systems

Universities and Schools

Recommended: Ethernet (primary) + WiFi (backup)

• Campus networks usually well-established
• Wired connection most reliable
• Can use campus WiFi as backup

Temporary and Event Locations

Recommended: LTE 4G

• Quick setup without infrastructure
• Portable and relocatable
• No dependence on event venue’s network

Data Security

All connectivity options use:

• End-to-end encryption - TLS 1.2+ for all traffic
• Secure payment processing - PCI DSS compliant connections
• Certificate pinning - Prevents man-in-the-middle attacks
• VPN support - Optional encrypted tunnel for all traffic
• Regular security updates - Patches delivered over secure channel

Cost Comparison

One-Time Costs

• WiFi: $0 (uses existing), or $50-200 for extender if needed
• Ethernet: $100-500 (depends on cabling distance and complexity)
• LTE 4G: $0-100 (modem usually included with kiosk)
• Starlink: $500-600 (dish and equipment)

Monthly Costs

• WiFi: $0 (uses venue’s internet)
• Ethernet: $0 (uses venue’s internet)
• LTE 4G: $20-50/month (data plan, varies by carrier and region)
• Starlink: $100-120/month (service subscription)

Choosing the Right Connectivity

Consider these factors:

1. Location type: Indoor vs. outdoor, urban vs. remote
2. Existing infrastructure: Available WiFi or ethernet
3. Reliability requirements: Mission-critical vs. supplemental
4. Budget: Upfront costs vs. ongoing monthly fees
5. Portability: Permanent vs. temporary installation
6. Data volume: Transaction volume and update frequency

Our Recommendations

Standard Indoor Installation

• Primary: WiFi or Ethernet (use what’s available)
• Backup: LTE 4G (for critical operations)
• Cost: Minimal monthly expense

Outdoor or Remote Installation

• Urban/Suburban: LTE 4G primary
• Rural/Remote: Starlink primary, LTE backup
• Cost: Budget for monthly connectivity fees

Maximum Reliability (High-Volume Venues)

• Primary: Ethernet (wired)
• Backup 1: WiFi (wireless)
• Backup 2: LTE (cellular)
• Triple redundancy: For venues where downtime is unacceptable

Questions about connectivity for your specific location? Contact us to discuss the best connectivity solution for your venue’s unique requirements and infrastructure.